Biography
Athanasios Kyparos is an 19 - year old violinist, currently studying on a scholarship at “Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz - Hochschule fur Musik, Musik Akademie Basel, Klassik”, in Switzerland (Bachelor’s degree program), under the guidance of the internationally renowned violinist and conductor Leonidas Kavakos.He has been awarded more than 40 distinctions -including Grand prizes, Platinum & Gold medals and First Prizes, in major international and national music competitions.At the age of 14, he made his debut as a soloist at Carnegie Hall (Weill Recital Hall) in New York, and subsequently performed in distinguished venues, such as the Gläserner Saal of the Musikverein (Vienna), the Wiener Saal of the Mozarteum (Salzburg), the Beethoven-Haus (Bonn), and the Megaron Concert Halls of Athens and Thessaloniki.He began violin studies at the age of 6 at the New Conservatory of Thessaloniki with Marina Shelkova and continued his studies at Thessaloniki State Conservatory, under the guidance of Georgios Petropoulos and Yiannis Kormpetis. At the age of 16, he was awarded the Violin Diploma from Thessaloniki State Conservatory with the highest distinction-Excellent. He further studied with Thanasis Theodoridis and attended violin lessons with Boris Garlitsky and Tatiana Samouil.For three consecutive years, he has actively participated in the LKM – Leonidas Kavakos International Violin and Chamber Music Masterclass at the Athens Academy (2022, 2024 & 2025). He has attended masterclasses with distinguished soloists, including Daniel Hope, Liana Tretiakova, Boris Garlitsky, Xie Nan, Ioana Cristina Goicea, Latica Honda-Rosenberg, Christos Galilaias, Apollon Grammatikopoulos, Georgios Demertzis, Dimitrios Chandrakis, Noe Inui, Sibbi Bernhardsonn, Kurt Nikkanen, Georg Hamann, Ben Sayevich, Austin Hartman and maestro Thomas Dodson. He has performed solo recitals in the Netherlands and in Hydra island and has performed as a soloist at the award-winning Young Soloists festivals of the “Gina Bachauer” International Music Association in Athens, Hydra, Corfu, and Lesvos.He is the concertmaster of “MOYSA - Megaro Youth Symphony Orchestra”, and has served as concertmaster with "Thessaloniki State Conservatory Symphony Orchestra” and “Mandoulides Symphony Orchestra”. He has collaborated with various chamber music ensembles and has participated in summer music academies and festivals, international educational programs, as well as in workshops and conducting training courses. His first composition, “Shyness and Dare” for string orchestra, has been performed at Thessaloniki Concert Hall.Prizes-Awards
Athanasios was selected as one of the 19 semifinalists of “Cooper international Violin Competition”, held in Oberlin, Ohaio, USA (2025). He has won over 40 prizes at International and National Music Competitions, amongst others:- Grand Prize (perfect grade 100%) at the “International Youth Music Competition”, category 14-18 age (Atlanta, USA, 2022).- Grand Prize (perfect grade 100%) at “World Art Games” Fiestalonia Milenio International Contest, category 13-15 age (Spain, 2021).- Grand Prize at “Spring in London” First International Competition of Music and Arts, category 13-15 age (United Kingdom, 2021).- Grand Prize and 1st Prize and “Orpheus Soloists Audience Prize” at “4th Orpheus Soloists 2021 Greek National Competition”, category 14-17 age (Thessaloniki, 2021).- Platinum Medal at “Canadian International Music Competition” (3rd Edition), category Young Artist (Canada, 2023).- Platinum Medal at “Quebec International Music Competition” (5th Edition), category 13 age (Canada, 2021).- Gold Medal Absolute Winner Award at “Artists of the Year 2021 - International Youth Music Competition”, category 14-18 age (Atlanta, USA, 2021).- Gold Medal Absolute Winner Award at “Artists of the Year 2022 - International Youth Music Competition”, category 14-18 age (Atlanta, USA, 2022).- Gold Prize Winner at “Euterpe Music Awards”, category 16-17 age (Berlin, 2023).- 1st Prize at the “Golden Classical Music Awards” International Music Competition, category 13-15 age (New York, USA, January 2021).- 1st Prize at the “Golden Classical Music Awards” International Music Competition, category 13-15 age (New York, USA, August 2021).- 1st Prize at the “Vienna International Classic Strings Competition & Festival”, category 12-15 age (Vienna, Austria, 2023).- 1st Prize at “International BTHVN WIEN Competition”, category 16-17 age (Wien, Austria, 2023).- 1st Prize at “Salzburg International Music Competition”, category 16-17 age (Salzburg, Austria, 2024).- 1st Prize at the “International Moscow Music Competition”, category 14-17 age (Moscow, Russia, 2024).- 1st Prize at the “London International Music Competition”, category 15-16 age (London, UK, 2023).- 1st Prize at the “International Youth Music Competition”, category 10-13 age (Atlanta, USA, 2021).- 1st Prize at the “Paris” Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Competition, category 9-12 age (Paris, France, 2020).- 1st Prize at the “Bonn” Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Competition, category 13-15 age (Bonn, Germany, 2021).- 1st Prize at the “Tiziano Rossetti” International Music Competition, category 13-16 age (Lugano, Switzerland, 2022).- 1st Prize with Special Distinction of Exceptional Performance at the “Maria Cherogiorgou-Sigara” 8th National Music Competition, category 11-14 age (Athens, Greece, 2022).- 1st Prize at the “7th National Music Competition Club Unesco Greece”, Strings category, 12-18 age (Athens, Greece, 2022).- 1st Prize at the 4th Greek National Music Competition,“Tasos Pappas”, category 17-21 age (Thessaloniki, Greece, 2023).- 1st Prize at the “All Colours of Art” Sopravista International Online Festival & Contest, category 12-13 age (Italy, 2020).- 1st Prize at “Online Wave” Fiestalonia Milenio International Contest, category 13-15 age (Spain, 2020 & 2021) etc.Recitals
Athanasios featured as a soloist in his first recital at the age of 16 y.o, in Ruinekerk, in Bergen, as an active participant at the Summer Academy 2023 of the International Holland music Sessions, in the class of Professor Boris Garlitsky (Bergen, North Holland, 2023). In February 2024, he had his Violin Diploma Recital at Thessaloniki Music Center, Greece and in July 2025 he has performed solo recital at Hydra island Holly Cathedral.Athanasios featured as a soloist:At the age of 14 y.o. at Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall, New York, in Winners Concert and Awards Ceremony of the International Music Competition “Golden Classical Music Awards” (New York, USA, 2022).At Wiener Musikverein (Gläserner Saal/Magna Auditorium), Vienna, in the Winners’ Gala Concert of the “International BTHVN Wien Competition (Wien, Austria, 2023).At Wiener Saal, Mozarteum, Salzburg, in Winners Concert and Awards Ceremony of the International Music Competition “Paris 2020 Grand Prize Virtuoso” (Salzburg, Austria, 2020).At Beethoven Haus, Bonn in Winners Concert and Awards Ceremony of the International Music Competition “Bonn 2021 Grand Prize Virtuoso” (Bonn, Germany, 2021).At National Music School of Sofia, with “Allegra Orchestra”, in a Conducting Masterclass with the famous Professor and Conductor Johannes Schlaefli (Sofia, Bulgaria, 2023).At Schnittke Akademie, Hamburg, with “Neue Philharmonie Hamburg Orchestra”, with Conductor Petros Stylianou (Hamburg, Germany, 2024).At Thessaloniki Concert Hall, with “MOYSA”- Megaro Youth Symphony Orchestra and “Rotonda” String Ensemble (Thessaloniki, Greece, 2019).At Thessaloniki Concert Hall, with “MOYSA”- Megaro Youth Symphony Orchestra (Thessaloniki, Greece, 2024).At Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, with Thessaloniki State Conservatory Symphony Orchestra (Thessaloniki, Greece, 2022).At Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, in the anniversary celebration of 150 years of continuous action and service of Philoptochos Brotherhood of Men of Thessaloniki, in the presence of His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (Thessaloniki, Greece, 2026).With Thessaloniki State Conservatory Symphony Orchestra (Thessaloniki, Greece 2024).With “Camerata Junior” - Youth String Orchestra of the Friends of Music Society (Athens, Greece, 2022).At Megaron Athens Concert Hall, in concerts of “Awarded Young Soloists of Gina Bachauer International Music Association (Athens, Greece, June & December 2022).At Thessaloniki Concert Hall, in concert “Summer in Concert Hall: Young Musicians” (Thessaloniki, Greece, 2020 & 2023).At Thessaloniki Concert Hall, in concerts of “Young Talents of Classical Music” (Thessaloniki, Greece, 2019 & 2021).At Thessaloniki Concert Hall, during Covid-19 pandemic period, at a video recording, performing the Winners of the Annual Internal Competition Thessaloniki's State Conservatory, entitled “The Musicians of Tomorrow”(Thessaloniki, Greece, 2020).At Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, in Winners concerts of the 4th National Music Competition “Orpheus Soloists 2021”, entitled “”Rising Music Stars” (Thessaloniki, Greece, 2022).At D’Insle Montessori-Schule AG / Zakhar Bron School of Music, in concert during Summer Violin Masterclasses (Zurich, Switzerland, 2021).In concerts of “Awarded Young Soloists of Gina Bachauer International Music Association” (Hydra island, Greece, 2021 & 2024).In concerts during “13th & 14th Gina Bachauer International Music Association Festival” (Lesvos & Corfu islands, Greece, 2021 & 2022).In Winners concert of the “7th National Music Competition Club Unesco Greece” (Athens, Greece, 2023).In Winners concert of the “4th Tasos Pappas National Music Competition” (Thessaloniki, Greece, 2024).At Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, in “The New Talented Young Soloist Concert” (Thessaloniki, Greece, 2015 & 2016).Chamber Music Performances:In concert at Megaron Athens Concert Hall, as a member of a string and of a flute quartet (Athens, Greece, 12 November 2022).In concert at Thessaloniki’s Concert Hall, as a member of a string and of a flute quartet (Thessaloniki, Greece, 21 November 2022).In concert at Thessaloniki’s Concert Hall in collaboration with the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki - Department of Musical Education, as an active member of three Chamber Music Ensembles, during the “13th Laboratory of Temporary Music” (Thessaloniki, Greece, 12 May 2024).In concert in Rotunda monument, Thessaloniki, Greece, at "Theophano Foundation 2021 Prize Ceremony", as a member of a chamber music ensemble (Thessaloniki, Greece, 13 October 2021).In concert in Rotunda monument, Thessaloniki, Greece, at “Theophano Foundation 2024 Prize Ceremony”, dedicated to the Special Olympics, as a member of MOYSA chamber music ensemble (Thessaloniki, Greece, 23 October 2024).In concert at MOMus - Museum of Contemporary Art, within the framework of the “Music at the Museum” Program - Young Artists (Thessaloniki, Greece, 25 April 2026).In concert, as a winner of the National Competition “We Listen the Young Musicians 2025” of Kalogeropouleio Foundation, supported by the Greek Ministry of Culture and co-produced by Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra, Thessaloniki-Sofia: Balkan Bridge of Culture (Vratsa, Bulgaria, 9 May 2026).In concert, on International Museum Day, as a winner of the National Competition “We Listen the Young Musicians 2025” of Kalogeropouleio Foundation, supported by the Greek Ministry of Culture and co-produced by Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra and Archeological Museum of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki-Sofia: Balkan Bridge of Culture (Thessaloniki, Greece, 18 May 2026).Orchestra's Concertmaster of:“MOYSA - Megaro Youth Symphony Orchestra” (2023 - today) and“Thessaloniki State Conservatory Symphony Orchestra” (2022-2024).“Ihohromata - Mandoulides Orchestra” (2019-2025).He was a regular member of “The Next Generation Orchestra” - Youth International Orchestra of “Allegra Festival & Academy” (Sofia, Bulgaria), led by Professor Boris Garlitsky.He has also served as a member with:“MOYSA - Megaro Youth Symphony Orchestra”(2016-2023).“Thessaloniki State Conservatory Symphony Orchestra”(2019-2022).“Youth Symphony Orchestra of Thessaloniki State Conservatory (2018-2019).“D.Lallas Orchestra” (2013-2015) and“Ε.Floros Orchestra” (2015-2018) of Thessaloniki New Conservatory.Athanasios has over 60 participations in concerts with several Orchestras.Masterclasses - Participations - Collaborations - Conducting - Compositions:Athanasios had the honour to be selected for three years, after audition, and participated as an active participant in “Leonidas Kavakos International Violin Masterclass & Chamber Music Workshop”, held in Athens Academy Building, Greece (2022, 2024 & 2025).He has also participated in:
Violin masterclasses with renowned Professors and violinists such as Boris Garlitsky (2023,2024 & 2025), Xie Nan (2025), Ioana Cristina Goicea (2026), Liana Tretiakova (2021), Latica Honda-Rosenberg (2021), Daniel Hope (2023), Kurt Nikkanen (2020 & 2021), Sibbi Βernhardsonn (2022 & 2025), William Van der Sloot (2025), Georg Hamann (2023), Ben Sayevich (2023), Noe Inui (2023), Austin Hartman (2022), Haiou Meng (2018), Georgios Demertzis (2017 & 2022), Christos Galilaias (2023), Dimitris Chandrakis 2022), Appolon Grammatikopoulos (2023), maestro John Thomas Dodson (2023) etc.Chamber Music Masterclasses with Kurt Nikkanen & Maria Asteriadou (2020), Jazz Improvisation Masterclass with Petros Klambanis (2018) and Composition Masterclass with composer Nikos Ptatirachos (2020), during the 3rd & 5th MOYSA Summer School at Thessaloniki Concert Hall.Conducting Orchestra workshops with Zoi Tsokanou - Director of Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra (2017), Safira-Antzus Ramos - Art Director of El Systema Greece Youth Orchestra (2018) and George Vranos - President of Music and Art Education Department, University of Macedonia, Greece (2019).Athanasios has also participated as an active participant:In the “International Holland Music Sessions Summer Academy and Festival”, in the class of Professor Boris Garlitsky (Bergen, Holland, 2023).In the “Allegra Festival and Academy”, in the class of Professor Boris Garlitsky (2023 & 2024) and in the class of Professor Ioana Cristina Goicea (2026) (Sofia, Bulgaria).In the “International Soloist Academy” with Professor Boris Garlitsky, as a soloist in collaboration with “Neue Philharmonie Hamburg Orchestra” (Hamburg, Germany, 2024).In the International Educational Program of Music Composition and Performance entitled “MakeMusiCovit 2021”, that has been presented in Rotonda monument (Thessaloniki, Greece, 2021).In the Educational Program of Friends of Music Society “Art Campus 2022”, under scholarship (Thessaloniki, Greece, 2022).In the “23rd International Pelion Classical Music Festival”, with Noe Inui and Professor Apollon Grammatikopoulos (Pelion, Greece, 2023).In the “9th Educational Summer Program of ACT - American College of Thessaloniki”, in the class of Professor Christos Galilaias (Thessaloniki, Greece, 2023).In the “1st International Summer Academy” of Drama State Conservatory, in the class of Professor Georgios Demertzis (Drama, Greece, 2022).In the 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th “Summer School of MOYSA” (Thessaloniki Concert Hall, Greece, 2017-2022).In the Project entitled “Passion - Planet - Touch” (a collaboration of Thessaloniki Film Festival, Thessaloniki Concert Hall and Thessaloniki State Conservatory), composing a music score for a Short Film (Thessaloniki, Greece, 2020).
In addition, Athanasios:Conducted the brass (2017) and the string orchestra (2017, 2018 & 2019) of MOYSA, during the 2nd, 3rd and 4th MOYSA Summer School (Thessaloniki Concert Hall).Composed for MOYSA and conducted his own music composition for String Orchestra entitled “Shyness and Dare” (Thessaloniki Concert Hall, 2019).Composed a variation of a byzantine hymn, during the International Educational Program of Music Composition and Performance entitled “MakeMusiCovit 2021”, that has been presented at Theophano Foundation Prize Ceremony (Rotunda monument, Thessaloniki, Greece 2021).Collaborated with the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki - Department of Musical Education and performed as an active member of Chamber Music Ensembles the Aristotle University students’ compositions, during the “13th Laboratory of Temporary Music” (Thessaloniki Concert Hall, 2024).