ROBERT ZIELINSKI & MANUELA CENTANNI
Photo credit: Dan Eady
Robert and Manuela met in New Zealand in 2020, and are now based in Australia. They play traditional music from Ireland and beyond on wooden flute and fiddle. They also focus on many of Robert's original compositions inspired by the south west coast of Western Australia. His new composition Kiangardarup premiered in the Perth Concert Hall, excerpts from this Suite are often featured in their concerts. Robert and Manuela are known for their unique tone, unison playing, harmonies and arrangements.
Manuela is a flute player from San Clemente, Rimini, Italy. She graduated from the Conservatoire of Bologna (Italy) in 2009, receiving a Masters with distinction in flute (Diploma in Flauto traverso). Manuela studied under Massimo Pasi. In 2014, Manuela moved to New Zealand, where she found a vibrant traditional music scene in Dunedin. Between local sessions, festivals and ceilidhs, this friendly environment enabled her to quietly explore many aspects of traditional Irish music. In 2018 she started playing the wooden flute, made by Canadian flute maker Chris Norman. This is now her principal instrument.
In October 2024, Robert and Manuela formed Quenda Records, an independent record label to promote their many projects.