Sophie Lukacs

Sophie's music is rooted in love, empathy, and vulnerability, creating an intimate connection with listeners. A recent performer at the Nuits d'Afrique festival '22, her debut album, which will be released in April '23, features 2 tracks with the legendary Habib Koité. 

Hailing from Montreal by way of Budapest, Hungary, Sophie Lukacs is a kora player, singer and composer. Trained on the violin in classical music from a young age, a chance trip to Burkina Faso in her early twenties completely changed her musical direction, and her life. It's there she discovered the kora: a 21-stringed harp-lute from the Mandingue empire. She began lessons shortly after and travelled to Paris for a masterclass with kora legend Toumani Diabaté. When he invited her to study with him in Bamako, Mali, she packed her bags and never looked back. Sophie spent seven years in Mali (learning fluent Bambara along the way), studying with kora masters Toumani Diabaté, Ballake Sissokos' family, and two years with the Ensemble Instrumentale du Mali.

Supported by Ontario Presents World Music Program.