Zela Papageorgiou is a Naarm-based percussionist, creating and performing in the fields of contemporary-classical music, Sound Art and improvisation. She is a current PhD candidate at Monash University, an Associate Artist with Melbourne’s leading Art Music ensemble Speak Percussion and is the core percussionist of contemporary chamber ensemble Forest Collective. As a creative collaborator and chamber musician, Zela has appeared with organisations and ensembles including Play On and Ad Lib Collective, and has performed in local festivals and events such as MPavilion, Melbourne Music Week, Melbourne Festival, Brunswick Music Festival, Midsumma Festival and Art After Dark. She has participated in artist residencies with organisations including The Australian Tapestry Workshop (VIC), Bundanon (NSW), Four Winds (NSW) and Shiro Oni Studios (Japan).

Zela’s passion for cross-genre, collaborative and interdisciplinary music-making extends to her work in music education and community engagement. She performs regularly in programs that introduce young audiences to music and works in schools as both an instrumental teacher and creative workshop facilitator.