The Medusa Quartet is set to take the stage at Ca d’zan House Concerts in Cambridge on Sunday, October 5th. Known for pushing the boundaries of both string quartet and folk traditions, this all-female ensemble delivers a powerful blend of Middle Eastern, Scandinavian, Celtic, Appalachian, and Eastern European influences. The evening begins with a community potluck and social hour at 6 PM, followed by the performance at 7 PM. Medusa’s music reclaims and reimagines myth, challenging convention through stories of resilience and inclusivity. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. Details at xroadscc.org/events.
The Medusa Quartet is challenging the very notion of a string quartet by fusing global folk traditions with modern sensibilities. Featuring Saskia Tomkins, Marta Sołek, Lea Kirstein, and Georgia Hathaway, this all-female ensemble explores Middle Eastern, Scandinavian, Celtic, Appalachian, and Eastern European musical roots. Their CFMA-nominated debut album reinterprets ancient and contemporary sounds, reshaping the legacy of mythology’s Medusa into a symbol of empowerment. Drawing from experiences with racism, sexism, immigration, queerness, and disability, each member brings a unique narrative—creating music that is both boundary-pushing and deeply inclusive. Their performances invite audiences to question, listen, and redefine beauty.
Saskia Tomkins shines with her mastery of the nyckelharpa and fiddle, infusing modern energy into traditional sounds. Marta Sołek brings rare expertise as the world’s first master’s graduate in the ancient Polish suka, reviving lost techniques. Lea Kirstein, recognized for her arrangements and educational work, strengthens the group’s inclusive direction through her Toronto-based initiative, World on a String. Georgia Hathaway’s adventurous spirit and global influences add bold new textures, establishing Medusa at the forefront of boundary-pushing string music.
