Greek Music & Beyond
Greek Music Outreach
Greek music is not simply entertainment — it is a living archive of centuries of history, migration, and cultural identity. I offer lectures, live presentations, and hands-on workshops designed to bring this tradition to life — from school students encountering Greek music for the first time to university audiences and cultural festivals.
Introductory lecture — Greek music from the inside
For: Universities, cultural centers, Greek communities, general public
A structured presentation on Greek music — its instruments, regional traditions, modal system, and historical roots. Clear enough for newcomers, rich enough for specialists. Can be tailored to a specific theme, period, or region. Popular themes include: the modal system of rebetiko, Greek island music and dance, the instruments of the Eastern Mediterranean, and the musical legacy of the Asia Minor Greeks.
Duration: 45–90 minutes
Format: In person; online format available on request · Slides, audio, video, and live instrument demonstrations
Live presentation — Music, images, performance
For: Festivals, cultural institutes, theaters, community events
A format combining live performance on traditional instruments, projected visuals, and storytelling. Each presentation follows a specific thread — geographical, thematic, musical, or historical-literary. Programmes include:
- Dromi: Musical Journeys Across Greece Between East and West — a geographical journey through the regional traditions of Greece
- Greek Women: The Female Figure in Traditional Song — the voice of women in Greek oral tradition
- The Theory of Rebetiko: From the Makams of Asia Minor to the Dromi of Piraeus — a musical and historical exploration of rebetiko
- The Greek Songs of Niccolò Tommaseo: Musical Parallels in Contemporary Greece — how the songs Tommaseo collected in 1842 are still sung and danced in Greece today
Duration: 60–90 minutes, adaptable to event format
Format: In person preferred · Live music, projected images and videos, audio examples
Workshop for musicians — Greek music in practice
For: Music schools, conservatories, universities, festivals with educational programmes
A hands-on session on Greek modal theory and its application to traditional instruments. Participants are introduced to the dromi and makam system, explore characteristic phrases and ornaments, and work on practical improvisation in a Greek modal context. Can be adapted for specific instruments or for mixed groups. Participants leave with scales, phrases, and ornaments they can apply immediately to their own playing.
Duration: 2–8 hours
Format: In person or online · Participants bring their instruments
School presentation — Greece, from Homer to rebetiko
For: Classical high schools (licei classici), secondary schools, primary schools (adapted format)
An introduction to Greek music designed specifically for school audiences. Particular attention is given to the connections between ancient Greek culture, Byzantine tradition, and the living music of modern Greece — a thread that connects directly to classical studies curricula. Instrument demonstrations, listening activities, and interactive Q&A are central to the format. Especially suited to events such as the Notte Nazionale dei Licei Classici and the Giornata Mondiale della Lingua Greca, as well as any school programme exploring ancient civilisations, Mediterranean culture, or world music.
Duration: 30–60 minutes
Format: In person · Adaptable to auditorium or classroom settings
Practical information
- All presentations are available in person (Italy and internationally) or online via video conference
- Available in English, Italian, Spanish, and Greek — adaptable in length, depth, and language to suit your audience
- Technical requirements for in-person events: a projector or screen, an audio system for playback, and sufficient space for live instrument performance
- Custom programmes can be developed for specific institutional needs — contact me to discuss
Interested in hosting a presentation? Tell me about your event — the audience, the format, the occasion, and what you have in mind. I will respond within 48 hours with a proposal tailored to your event.
FAQs
Q. What topics can you cover?
A. My core topics include: the modal system of rebetiko (dromi and makams), the instruments and regional traditions of Greek music, the music of the Asia Minor Greeks, Greek dance and its musical context, Greek folk song as poetry, and the historical connections between Greek, Ottoman, and Byzantine music. Custom programmes can be developed for specific institutional themes or academic conferences.
Q. Can you present online as well as in person?
A. Yes. In-person presentations with live instruments and projected visuals are the richest format, but online presentations via video conference are fully available and can reach audiences anywhere in the world.
Q. What languages are the presentations available in?
A. English, Italian, Spanish, and Greek. The language can be chosen based on your audience, and multilingual formats (e.g., presentation in English with Q&A in Italian) are also possible.
Q. What do you need from the venue?
A. A projector or screen, an audio system for music playback, and enough space for me to demonstrate instruments. I bring my own instruments and all presentation materials. For workshops, participants should bring their own instruments.
Q. How long are the presentations?
A. Formats range from 30 minutes (school presentations) to full-day workshops (up to 8 hours for musicians). Most lectures and cultural presentations run 60–90 minutes including Q&A. Duration is always adaptable to your event schedule.
Q. Do you charge for presentations?
A. Fees depend on the format, duration, location, and whether the event is in person or online. Contact me with details about your event and I will send a proposal within 48 hours.
Q. Can a presentation be paired with a book purchase or a trial lesson?
A. Yes. Institutions can pair a lecture or workshop with a group purchase of my books, or offer attendees a discounted trial lesson. Contact me to discuss arrangements.
The research behind the presentations
These presentations draw on the same research documented in my books — particularly The Theory of Rebetiko, Songs of Greece, and The Greek Songs of Niccolò Tommaseo.
For participants who want to go further
Attendees often continue with one-to-one online lessons on the instrument of their choice
