K'antu Ensemble

Founded in 2012 by Ruth Hopkins, K'antu Ensemble explores the lesser-known corners of early music, blending folk and world traditions with historically-informed performance techniques. Their name, K’antu, is inspired by an ancient musical tradition from Peru and Bolivia—reflecting the group’s early focus on repertoire from both the Old World and the New.

Bringing together musicians from across the UK, K'antu has built a reputation for vibrant, multi-instrumental performances and rich vocal textures. They are passionate about sharing early music with new audiences through concerts, workshops, community projects, and immersive dance events at heritage sites. Former Live Music Now artists, they continue to champion inclusive and accessible approaches to performance.

In the UK, K’antu has appeared at leading venues and festivals including Bridgewater Hall, Symphony Hall, Cheltenham Festival, Buxton Festival, Shrewsbury Folk Festival, Kings Place, and St Martin-in-the-Fields. Their albums Gusto and Dancing & the Divine have been featured on BBC Radio 3’s Early Music Show, Late Junction, and the BBC World Service.

Career highlights include international tours with the British Council to Hungary, Romania, and Egypt; premiering a new work by Kerry Andrew, written specially for the ensemble; and representing the UK in the Historische Reihe Series at the Göttingen International Handel Festival.