Natalia Mann
Natalia Mann is known for her contemporary style of harp playing. She works internationally as performer, composer, collaborator and recording artist in a diversity of genres.
Natalia was born in New Zealand, of Samoan/Australian heritage. She began studying classical music at the age of four when her family lived in Los Angeles, her primary instruments being harp and piano. She continued her studies in New Zealand eventually to rank among the top harpists in the country, playing for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, new music ensembles, opera, ballet and theatre.
Curiosity led her to explore other forms of music, and she realised her passion for improvisation. She moved to Melbourne, Australia where she immersed herself in the vibrant international folk and roots music scene. She collaborated with various artists in the creation of meditation music, pop, hip-hop, lounge, experimental, abstract, and other contemporary styles. Celebrating her Pacific Island heritage in the process, she co-founded the award winning Samoan trio 'Sunga'.
Since 2005 Natalia has been based in Istanbul, Turkey, where she lives with her husband, percussionist Izzet Kizil. She performed alongside Turkish classical master musicians such as Göksel Baktagir. During this time she began to pen her own compositions in order to begin to express the many musical ideas that had by now gathered in her vocabulary. She released her first collection of pieces as the album Pasif.ist on the Rattle NZ label in 2011 to critical praise.
Natalia was born in New Zealand, of Samoan/Australian heritage. She began studying classical music at the age of four when her family lived in Los Angeles, her primary instruments being harp and piano. She continued her studies in New Zealand eventually to rank among the top harpists in the country, playing for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, new music ensembles, opera, ballet and theatre.
Curiosity led her to explore other forms of music, and she realised her passion for improvisation. She moved to Melbourne, Australia where she immersed herself in the vibrant international folk and roots music scene. She collaborated with various artists in the creation of meditation music, pop, hip-hop, lounge, experimental, abstract, and other contemporary styles. Celebrating her Pacific Island heritage in the process, she co-founded the award winning Samoan trio 'Sunga'.
Since 2005 Natalia has been based in Istanbul, Turkey, where she lives with her husband, percussionist Izzet Kizil. She performed alongside Turkish classical master musicians such as Göksel Baktagir. During this time she began to pen her own compositions in order to begin to express the many musical ideas that had by now gathered in her vocabulary. She released her first collection of pieces as the album Pasif.ist on the Rattle NZ label in 2011 to critical praise.