posted on 2017-03-02, 03:03authored byGeorgoulas, Renee Michelle
This research explores the hybrid identities of Australian and Greek popular and traditional musicians and dancers in Melbourne, Australia and in Greece and finds that identity is complex, changing, and influenced by social and cultural context. All participants are bicultural, bi-musical and bilingual and select their music and dance practices according to personal preference, context, time and place. Cultural hybridity is increasingly common in culturally inclusive countries in a globalized world. The research begins with an autoethnographical study. Subsequently there are three individual and group case studies of Greek Australian musickers (musicians and a dancer). There is a study of Greek jazz musicians. In these phenomenological case studies data reveals negotiations and tensions in identity construction both by individuals and shared with others in groups. The final study explores the understandings of identity and culture held by bicultural Greek Australians and the wider community about public celebrations of Greek culture, specifically the annual Antipodes festival held in Melbourne (Victoria). The formation and development of hybridized identity is a complex lifelong process that may generate tensions for the individual. There are both strengths and challenges for those transitioning between cultures. This study focuses on the musical identity formed by personal, musical and cultural contexts.