Tornike Skhiereli
Tornike Skhiereli was born on November 13, 1989, in Tbilisi, Georgia. He is an ethnomusicologist, folk singer, church choir regent, and folk music collector. His life story and achievements specifically highlight his significant contributions to the folk music field.
The Skhiereli family is known for its singing traditions in Racha, and Tornike's love for singing comes from his family background. From a young age, he spent a lot of time with singers from mountain villages, learning their unique songs and singing style through oral tradition.
Tornike has 17 years of experience as a singer.
Education and Career:
- In 2006, he graduated from Oni Public School. From 1996 to 2005, he sang in the boys' choir under the direction of Shalva Japaridze.
- From 2008 to 2012, he sang in the ensemble "Lashari" under the direction of Giorgi Ushikishvili.
- In 2013, he graduated from the Giorgi Mtatsmindeli Church Music Academy with a Bachelor’s degree in Church Music (supervised by Malkhaz Erkvanidze), and became a folk music collector, church choir regent, and folk singer.
- From 2008 to 2016, he taught folk singing at the National Folklore School and the Georgian-British Academy.
- In 2009, he founded and still leads the folk-ethnographic group "Dziriani."
- From 2009 to 2013, he chanted in the churches of St. Nicholas and the Holy Virgin of Didube.
- From 2009 to 2013, he conducted five expeditions in the Racha region, collecting extensive folklore material, and continues his scientific work. He also participates in scientific conferences and seminars.
- In 2010, he became a recipient of the National Folklore Prize stipend.
- In 2013, for his contribution to folk music collection, the President of Georgia awarded him with a medal and certificate for "Civic Devotion".
- From 2013 to 2024, he sang in the folk ensemble "Sakhioba" (led by Malkhaz Erkvanidze and Davit Abramishvili).
- From 2016 to 2018, he founded the children’s studio "Voices of the Future," focused on folk singing and church chanting.
- From 2016 to 2019, he led the "Lemedi" Choir of the Georgian Patriarchate's St. Andrews University.
- 2016, he was a chanter-regent consultant at Oni Chanter School.
- In 2017, he was invited as a choir director at Caucasus University.
- In 2019, he worked with the renowned ethnomusicologist Simha Arom.
- From 2022 to 2024, he led the folk ensemble "Sagalobeli".
- In 2024, he was invited as a lecturer at the Sergei Zakariadze College.
- Since 2024, he has been working as a chanter with the Folk Music State Center’s choir.
- Tornike is also an expert in playing Georgian folk instruments, including the chianuri, panduri, chonguri, garmoni, daira, gudastviri, and tsiko-tsiko (miniature accordion), and even makes these instruments himself.
- He has studied traditional dance, song, and rhythms characteristic of Georgian folk performance.
- Tornike frequently conducts masterclasses in Europe for those interested in Georgian folk singing and chanting.
Folk Tours and Masterclasses
In 2016, he opened the guesthouse "Folklore House" in Racha, in the town of Oni, where guests have the opportunity to participate in folk tours and masterclasses. His work focuses on studying Georgian folk music, its dialects, traditional performing forms, and characteristics. Additionally, guests at the guesthouse can take part in the preparation of traditional Georgian dishes, visit the villages of Racha, and explore the unique elements of Georgian culture.
The folk tours not only offer a cultural experience but also help guests better understand the unique traditions that Racha and Georgia as a whole have to offer.
- 2017 – England, London
- 2018 – France, Normandy
- 2018 – Switzerland, Geneva
- 2018 – France, Paris
- 2019 – England, London
- 2019 – England, Oxford
- 2023 – Croatia, Zagreb
- 2024 – Germany, Dresden
- 2024 – Germany, Hamburg
- 2024 – Finland, Helsinki
- 2024 – France, Paris
- 2025 – Germany, Dresden
- 2025 – Germany, Hamburg
- 2025 – Germany, Berlin
- 2025 – Germany, Freiburg
- 2025 – France, Paris
- 2025 – France, Normandy
NEWS
Summer Workshops
We invite you to Racha! Visit us to experience the intangible cultural heritage of this beautiful region of Georgia! You can get acquainted with our music, dance and other centuries-old traditions.
Location: Oni, family hotel "Folklore House".
Host: Tornike Skhiereli.
Duration: 7 days (departure after breakfast on the 8th day).
Visitors: minimum 5, maximum 15.
Program: • 5 hours of workshop per day
• Meeting and singing with local singers in different villages of Racha
• Meeting and singing with the members of the ensemble "Dziriani" (visit ensemble website)
• Trips to historical and cultural monuments of Racha
• Learning to make and tasting traditional dishes from Racha
• Visit to a local vineyard and wine cellar, with Rachan wine tasting
• Learning about the traditional musical instruments "chianuri", "gudastviri" and "daira" (if interested, you can also purchase them).
• Price: 1000 euro (half of the price paid in advance, the other half on the spot)
Included in the price: Transport Tbilisi-Oni-Tbilisi or Kutaisi-Oni-Kutaisi (for groups only),
- accommodation and all meals,
- transport to different sites and villages of Racha;
- fees for museum visits and for wine and food tasting;
- daily singing lessons with Tornike Skhiereli
About the host: Tornike is a traditional singer, multi-instrumentalist and ethnomusicologist. He is the leader of the ensemble "Dziriani", the choir master of Oni Chanting School and creative director of the Oni "Master-Apprentice School". Tornike grew up with oral tradition and spent much time with village singers, learning and recording their unique songs. He studied and worked in ethnomusicology. He also learned and performed with several prestigious choirs and ensembles with repertoire from all the regions of Georgia. He has led singing workshops in several countries of the world. In 2012, he was awarded an order by the President of Georgia for his contribution to Georgian folklore.
Contact : Tel: +995 555210781 e-mail: contact@georgianfolkwithtornike.com
Summary: Immerse yourself in the enchanting culture of Racha: learn the timeless melodies and dances passed down through generations, savor the rich flavors of local cuisine and wine, and experience the heart and soul of this extraordinary region. This journey is more than a tour; it’s an invitation to connect with one of Georgia’s most vibrant cultural landscapes and create memories that will stay with you forever. We can’t wait to welcome you to Racha!
MASTERCLASSES
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EXPEDITIONS
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WHAT PEOPLE SAY
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What A Wonderfull Weekend
The two days at torkinkes Workshop in Germany where one of the most intense, heatwarming, sounding and connecting moments in my life so far. I’m glad to know Tornike now, and will never miss all the wisdom and deepness .of this mystic, powerfull music anymore. Thank you Tornike for doing all this. You Made made me very glad.
Truly special!
I’ve had the chance to take part in two of Tornike’s workshops – both deeply moved me. With great authenticity and heartfelt passion, he shares the tradition of Georgian polyphonic singing. Within a very short time, beautiful three-part harmonies emerge among strangers, carrying with them a powerful sense of connection and community.
Goosebumps guaranteed – highly recommended!
Inspiring Georgian Workshop in Germany and heardwarming stay in his Family House in Ratcha
I was taking part in Tornikes Georgian Singing Workshop in Dresden, Germany, in february 2025. Tornikes can fransfer his love for music to other people. He knows how to teach Georgian music and his open character helped orhers to open and to learn about this beautiful part of Georgian culture.
In June 2025 I also spend four days in the Guesthouse of Tornikes family. Tornike and his family are really openminded, heartfelt and hospitable. From the moment I felt very welcome and like one part of the familiy. If you wan‘t to know more about Georgian music and the country, you should stay at theire Guesthouse.
გმადლობთ! Didi madloba!!!
Such a lovely week with Tornike!
Honestly I only have good things to say – he’s a talented song master, very patient. We learned 10 songs in the week.
The property is very welcoming, the beds are comfortable, the food is delicious!
10/10
Simply wonderful!
We met Tornike at a workshop in Dresden and arranged some months later a private workshop in Oni (region of Racha) at his place with some friends. Every aspect of this unforgettable holiday was absolutely lovely: Tornike arranged our transport from the airport in Kutaissi, we stayed in his pretty family hotel (4 guest rooms in the first floor), his family with incredible hospitality prepared very tasty meals and took us even to some excursions in the beautiful environment. And of course: singing in the lovely garden with view of the Caucasian mountains in the distance and the “applause” by the free-range hens! Tornike taught us several great Georgian songs and was very patient singing them to us. He also sometimes accompanied us with his handmade typical Georgian instruments. Highly recommended for everyone as fascinated by the Georgian polyphony and culture as we are!
Unforgettable!
The workshops with Tornike in Racha are an unforgettable experience! Tornike is an incredibly gifted teacher: he’s spent his whole life immersed in Rachan songs and folklore, and you can feel it in his teaching. He shares these songs with such kindness and generosity, it’s a unique experience to work with him. The Folklore House is lovely with a gorgeous garden, and the whole Skhiereli family is incredibly warm and welcoming. One of the main highlights is getting to meet with and learn from village singers and other members of Dziriani: it’s an amazing opportunity to see these traditions being shared between generations. I can’t recommend these workshops highly enough!
