Magdalena is a US east coast ensemble with a mission to share early music’s charming soundscapes and rich traditions with all audiences. Through immersive storytelling, genre expansion, and interdisciplinary endeavors, Magdalena strives to make period music accessible, educational, and enjoyable to all, regardless of their age or background.

Launched in 2022, Magdalena is a self-directed collective of early music specialists, including Liv Castor (harp), Mira Fu-En Huang (voice/percussion), Cole Manel (plectrum instruments), Niccolo Seligmann (bowed strings/percussion), Sarah Shodja (winds), and Cameron Welke (plucked strings). The ensemble has performed in Maryland, Virginia, New York, Washington DC, and Cleveland, with anticipated performances for Early Music NOW in Wisconsin and the Indianapolis Early Music Festival in Indiana. Magdalena was also thrilled to be selected as one of Early Music America’s Emerging Artists of 2024.

The name ‘Magdalena’ extends across ancient and modern times, as well as sacred and secular contexts. It also defies many country borders, gracing people of Greece, Spain, Germany, and more. As an ensemble, Magdalena strives to embody the nature of its name by making early music a timeless and special experience to as many audiences as possible.