Louvana
Records is organising the first Fengaros Music Village in Cyprus, in
collaboration with Music Village in Greece, which takes place in Pilion*
every summer for the past eight years. With nine different workshops
for music and theatre, and with instructors from Cyprus, Greece and
England, this event will attempt to give a different approach to
artistic learning.
The workshops will take place in the beautiful
setting of Kato Drys village. They will run on a daily basis, divided
into two sessions, morning and afternoon. Following the ending of all
workshops every day, there will be free concerts by the Village's
instructors and local bands, as well as performances by the Fengaros
Music Village students.
The organisation's goals are:
-
To offer educational units in the form of symbiotic masterclasses, which
will be instructed by artists/musicians of international calibre in the
area of contemporary or historical performance and creation. The themed
sections of each workshop will function integrally and will intend to
approach musical art broadly, yet effectively, whilst putting particular
emphasis on original and unconventional areas that have not yet been
integrated into the Cypriot educational system.
- The
pre-scheduled and spontaneous performances of musical ideas and the
productive exchange of ideas and projects among artists of diverse
nationalities.
* The Music Village is one of the largest musical
communities in Europe. It was founded in 2006 by musicians Thymios
Atzakas, Kostas Makrygiannakis and Giorgos-Emmanuel Lazarides. It has
been taking place every August for the past eight years in the village
of Ayios Lavrentios, in Pilion, Greece.
Participation Fee: €170
GIORGOS XYLOURIS –
Introduction to Cretan music
The well-known lute player-performer Giorgos Xylouris (Psarogiorgis)
will present a workshop of traditional Cretan music, where he will teach
melodies, tunes, improvisation, dances (syrtos, maleviziotis,
pentozalis, kontylies), as well as contemporary trends of this
incredibly agile instrument. This workshop is intended for players and
lovers of Cretan music, who wish to experience a new approach to this
musical tradition, taught first-hand by one of its most respected and
active members.
Biography
Anogeia, a historic village in the mountains Psiloritis, in the
region of Rethymno where the villagers (most of which farmers) have a
great sense of humor and love music between friends. This is the sort of
environment that Yiorgos Xylouris grew up in, an offspring of the great
music family of Xylouris. From an early age he started playing the
lute, which he learned in the traditional way, meaning listening to the
old musicians of Crete.
His father Antonis Xylouris (Psarantonis) was a key figure in the
shaping up of his musical personality, next to which he was a student
for many years. At the same time Yiorgos Xylouris researched the musical
specificities of the other areas of Crete and as many say he is one of
the few folk musicians of the island who does them justice with his lute
as well as his vocal performances. Rhythmic precision, comprehensible
development of melody and emotional expression are the main
characteristics of his playing. He plays out of feeling and not out of
obligation.
When he was 25 years old he left for Australia to play at a musical
festival and he stayed for 8 years. He came in touch with musicians of
different traditions and styles of music, he created the groups
“Antipodes”, «Χylouris ensemble» and he records his first inspirations.
Since then he has been a part of various music productions and he has
inspired the new folk musicians of Crete with his style. He has
travelled all over the world, as a guest of every Greek community, and
he has participated in a great deal of festivals and traditional music
seminars. In Greece he is collaborating with great musicians,
traditional and not like Ross Daly, Achilleas Persides, Stelios Petrakis
and others. He is one of the few who Cretan who is still passing down
the knowledge aurally. Yiorgos Xylours is considered today one of the
most important lute players of Crete, but also a musician who is capable
of collaborating creatively with musicians from other music genres.
DAVE DE ROSE –
Drumming and Beyond
Dave De Rose (Mark Ronson, Moloko,
Jamie Cullum, Mulatu Astatke) shares his extensive experiences as a
professional drummer and his thirty year musical evolution within a five
day workshop aimed primarily at drummers from beginner to pro levels,
but also suitable for any instrumentalist looking to strengthen and
broaden their rhythmic sense, production techniques, musical approaches
and inside knowledge of the music business.
Dave explains and demonstrates his
approach to music development involving the participants in hands-on
practical sessions, as well as in-mind, meditative group exercises.
Breaking down the methods of assimilation that have led him to
personalise and solidify his own style and unique musical identity
within a broad spectrum of styles including: African rhythms, Funk,
Soul, Dance, Rock, Jazz and Hip-Hop/Loop drumming.
In addition to this Dave shares his experiences of working with
internationally renowned artists both live and in the studio, life on
tour, on and off stage, the music business and the human relations side
of life for the jobbing musician, in order to equip the participants
with healthy responses to the infinite variety of scenarios the industry
can present.
Biography:
Drummer, producer, recording and mixing engineer, born and raised in a
music house in Rome, Italy, Dave's aural senses were delighted by some
of the most infectious music on the planet from Scarlatti, to Miles
Davies, to Stevie Wonder and anything in between. After establishing an
early relationship with the piano and lots of singing, he turned to
drumming. Binding him in to a love that has carried him through 20 years
of passionate music development, and has blessed him with the chance to
work on an international scale with many wonderful artists such as
Bastille, Mark Ronson & The Business Intl, Moloko, Mulatu Astatke,
Jamie Cullum, Corinne Bailey Rae, Rokia Traore, Roisin Murphy, Beth
Orton, Scroobius Pip, Shri, Andreya Triana, Mor Karbasi, Reel People,
Kaidi Tatham, Silhouette Brown, Mark De Clive Lowe, Soundspecies, Carl
Orr, Reggie Washington & Rufus Reid. While also writing, producing,
performing, recording, mixing and engineering five of his own records,
as well being a core member of two special London brewed projects:
Electric Jalaba & Flying Ibex.
ANDYS SKORDIS - Takedimi -Tadighinaton - Take
Takedimi-Tadighinaton-Take, is a workshop in both theory and
practice, dedicated to the techniques and concepts of Carnatic music
(South Indian Classical Music) and their application to current musical
styles such as Contemporary Classical, Jazz, Traditional, Progressive
Rock and many more genres. These workshops will be entirely focused on
rhythm. Travelling through the world of polyrhythms and polypulses that
Carnatic Music is enriched by, we will study on how we can precisely
execute them, approach them and most importantly conceive them.
These workshops are interesting and extremely helpful for a vast
range of artists. From highly skilled musicians, to amateur musicians,
dancers, or anyone else who likes rhythm and likes to put some movement
in their life!
Biography:
Andys Skordis, was born in Lefkosia, Cyprus in 1983. He liked music
from a child, but didn’t really enjoy learning it till the moment he
started playing electric guitar and composing songs for his bands “Off
Tone Thieves” and “Spirits”. He had to serve the army when he was 18,
but was lucky enough to join the military band in Cyprus, playing
euphonium.
At the age of twenty he left Cyprus and went to the USA to study jazz
guitar, but soon he switched to composition and film scoring, studying
with great teachers as Vuk Kulenovic and Tibor Pusztai at Berklee
College of Music, and graduated in 2007.
He the began his journey back home with a long stop in Amsterdam,
where he was fortunate enough to have more great teachers like Richard
Ayres and Wim Hendrickx, with whom he studied composition gaining his
master’s degree in 2011. There he also studied Carnatic music with
Rafael Reina for four years.
So far he has been the recipient of various scholarships including
WWIK artist’s subsidy from Kunstenaars & Co (NL), FondsPodiumKunsten
(NL), A.G. Leventis Foundation Music Scolarship (FR/CY), Darmasiswa
(IN), and Nikolas Economou Foundation Music Scolarship (CY). He has also
been awarded the BUMA Toonzetters Prize 2012 (one of the highest
composition prizes in The Netherlands) the 1st and 2nd
place in competitions for Symphony orchestra held by the Cyprus
Ministry of Culture and Education in 2012 and 2010, as well as being
nominated for the Gaudeamus Prize 2012 and De Ereprijs 2011.
He composes music for acoustic instruments, but is also a member and a
founder of the free improvisation collective “Brain Masturbation”. He
plays Javanese and Balinese Gamelan music. At the moment he is living in
Bali – Indonesia, where he is studying Balinese Gamelan at ISI
Denpasar.
ATHΕNA KASIOU - Starting from the text (Open Arts)
Through the use of practical methods and our imagination we will
approach the theatrical scripts that intimidate us the most, and dare to
tackle them in a modern manner. We will focus on the information that a
text gives us about its world, its characters, its circumstances, its
intentions, its main themes and facts e.t.c. and through exercises we
will bring specific scenes into life. This way, a lot of emphasis will
be put on what makes a scene immediate and spontaneous.
This workshop is intended for actors, directors, writers, and at the
same time individuals that have a relationship, or want to have a
relationship with the theatrical world. If you wish to attend, please
write a paragraph explaining why you would like to take part in this
workshop, as well as a script/play/narrative that you would be
interested to explore and work on with the workshop’s coordinator.
Biography:
Athena is the founding member the Open Arts theatre group. After
earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Emerson College in Boston (BA),
and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Middlesex in London,
she studied at the Gitis Academy in Moscow and the Indonesian Art
Institute in Bali. She also took part in Lincoln Center Theatre’s
Director’s Lab in New York and in workshops in Film Direction
coordinated by Katie Mitchell and Ian Rickson. Her first collaboration
with THOK was with the organisation’s first site-specific production,
«Diabolad» by Michael Bulgakov, later collaborating with painter Carl
Krull in «In Two Minds» (THOK). She also co-directed the play «O
Karagkiozis Ektos» which toured in Cyprus, Greece, Prague and at OPEN
ARTS’ Arcola Theatre. With the OPEN ARTS team she presented the play «A
Mid-Summer Night’s Dream» in an open field in Strovolos. In 2012 she
presented Anton Chekhov’s «The Cherry Orchard», in an abandoned
amusement park in Egkomi, and ended the Summer of 2013 with the
presentation of Samuel Becket’s «Rough for Theatre I» at Fengaros Music
Festival in Lofou.
ANDREAS PANTELI -
Improvisational freedom
The workshop is designed for improvisers of all levels, instruments
and styles of music. The problems all improvisers face are common. For
this reason we are not limited to one specific style of music, but
instead we concentrate on the creative process that allows the
improviser to express himself with greater consistency, ease and
freedom. Topics that the workshop will deal with: the psychological
state that allows for improvisation, correct and incorrect habits of
practicing, basic and advanced harmony, melodic consistency and
development, rhythm, expression and emotion. We play, discuss basic
concepts, locate the problem and clear it up, in way that we guide the
improviser on to the next level.
Biography:
Andreas is a professional jazz pianist and composer, graduate of
Codarts Rotterdam Conservatorium and the Royal Conservatory of Den Haag.
He has taken part in numerous projects around Europe with styles
ranging from traditional jazz to modern day jazz, soul and groove music.
He is currently based in Cyprus, where he performs with several
ensembles, and teaches piano and improvisation.
EMMANUEL VOURAKIS –
The electric guitarist’s “package”
This music lab aims at covering all basic components that form a
successful career of an electric guitar player. Topics covered will
include the electric guitar as an instrument, the sound components that
form the sound chain (parts, effects, cables, amps), the guitarist’s
role within different musical enviroments and ensembles, what sets apart
an artist from a session player as well as the differences between live
and studio performance, guitar playing in general with different
techniques required for different styles, and in conclusion, within the 5
days of its duration, Emmanuel, through the experience gained from his
25 year long career span, will draw the description of the “package”
required to form a today’s professional guitarist’s complete profile.
Biography:
Emmanuel has been fronting the “Zilla Project” for the past 5 years
as his main musical outlet. A Berklee College οf Music Alumnus. Also a
former member of BluesWire – one of the most established blues bands in
Europe – based in Greece. He is the winner of the only “B.B. King Blues
guitar competition”, held in Greece in March 1998. Also awarded with the
title Blues Guitarist of the year at Berklee College of Music for the
year 2004-5. He has been numerous national TV appearances and shows, in
Greece, USA, Cyprus and Europe, a slew of recordings and concerts for
many diverse artists in many styles of music with a career that spans
over 20 years.
VASILIKI ANASTASIOU -
The power of your voice. Songs of our neighborhood and improvisations.
Α vocal workshop that will explore the abilities of the human voice
through an educational journey, with songs from neighboring countries
and beyond. The lessons will be taught in a group circle, exploring and
developing a wide repertoire through interactive learning. This workshop
is intended for anyone who wishes to improve and develop his/her vocal
abilities through group-work, regardless of their profession or musical
background.
Biography:
Vasiliki Anastasiou is the creator and vocalist of The Amalgamation
Project, an ethnic-jazz project that brings jazz and traditional
musicians on the same platform. She graduated from London College of
Music from where she received the title Master in Music Performance
(vocals) with distinction. She has performed all over the world with
various bands and projects.
Her performances include among others Hong Kong (for the premiere of
the film Axis of Light), Qatara Art centre in Doha for an Educational
concert, 6th and 7th International River Film Festival in Padova/Italy.
In United Kingdom at the Europe House, Shepherds Bush Empire, 2012 May
Ball, Peterhouse Theatre in Cambridge, Hollywell Music Room in Oxford,
at the British Museum also at the 30th ISME World Conference on Music
Education that took place at Megaro Mousikis (Thessaloniki, Greece)
KOSTAS MAKRYGIANNAKIS -
GUITAR WIRED..! Workshop for the classical and acoustic guitar
- What is the relationship between a song with guitar accompaniment written in the 19th century by Fernando Sor with “Under the bridge” by Red Hot Chili Peppers?
- How can we perform a masterpiece like Strawberry fields forever by the Beatles, without the song losing its power?
The workshop aims to familiarise the musician-guitarist
with the procedure of music making. The understanding of the
‘geography’ of the fret board, acoustic exercises, aesthetic approaches,
exchanging opinions, one on one lessons and a lot of group playing will
be used as tools. Especially, the following will be studied and
discussed:
Basic and specific sound production techniques for the guitar.
Repertoire
Part – lead sheet making
Techniques and aesthetic: a love story
Covers and re-arrangements: The original creation and re-arrangement on the guitar from the 19th century till today.
For all levels!
Biography:
Kostas studied music (Thessaloniki-Greece, SynchrononConservatoire, London-UK, TrinityCollegeofMusic) and economics (Thessaloniki, AUTH).
He also attended several masterclasses and workshops with acclaimed musicians such as Leo Brouwer,
David
Russel, Manuel BarruecoandCarlo Domeniconiamong others. He has been
distinguished in international competitions as prize-winner or finalist.
Since 1997 he has widely performed
in venues and festivals in Greece, UK, Germany, Denmark, Romania, Cyprus
and Czech Republic. His broad area of interests includes chamber music,
new music for guitar, historically based performance as well as
improvisation, pop music, conceptual music and composition. He has
premiered a number of new works for solo guitar as well as for chamber
ensembles, promoting contemporary music in Greece and abroad. He has
broadcasted for Greek State Radio and Television, BBC, EBU
and has been engaged in several album recordings. His performances have
received great reviews from the international press such as Classical Guitar Magazine
(UK), Neue Presse
(Germany) and from Greek newspapers and magazines.
Kostas is the artistic director of Guitar Plus Festival
in Thessaloniki, the only Greek festival entirely focused on chamber
guitar music from Renaissance to the present day. He is also member of
the organisation team of Music Village Festival, (www.music-village.gr) together
with Thimios Atzakas and George –Emmanuel Lazaridis, one of the most
important cultural societies in Greece, which brings together artists
from all over the world in the context of performing, education and
cultural cross-breeding.
PAVLOS MICHAELIDES -
Violin workshop
The subject of this workshop revolves around
those elements that contribute to the approach of the traditional violin
and its rich repertoire. It’s an introduction to the violin’s art and
techniques, its handling, style and aesthetics within the repertoire
that is going to be taught during the seminar.
More specifically, there will be analysis of
melodic phrases, stylistic and aesthetic development, technical
approaches and ways of practicing. All these will be based on a modal
repertoire that is initiated from the musical traditions of Minor Asia,
the Aegean and Cyprus. There will be a chapter covering specific
approaches and notation to score reading.
The seminar targets beginner to advanced level
students, where depending on attendance levels, students may be divided
into sections. Note that, although the content will primarily focus on
violin players, the seminar will be open to anyone interested.
Audio material and scores will be given to participants upon registration.
Biography:
Pavlos Michaelides was born in Nicosia. During his studies he was a
member and rotating concertmaster of the Symphony and Philharmonic
Orchestra of the University of Arizona, a member of the Bay Area
Classical Harmonies (California) and the chamber music orchestra "Uindy
BIOS" (Athens). His studies include the violin approach to the eastern
tropical music techniques with the violin virtuoso and distinguished
professor Yiannis Zevgolis, along with seminars and music workshops with
Kyriakos Petras , George Psaltis , Pericles Papapetropoulos and Naseem
Dakwar (Arabic style). He holds the LRSM diploma (Licentiate of the
Royal Schools of Music, Violin Performance - Prof. Υ. Zevgolis) and BA
degree in Music Performance (Prof. V. Halapsis). During his studies he
also acquired the degrees of BSc in MIS and MBA, Finance.
His collaborations consist of classical, folk, rock and world music
ensembles with which he travelled and performed in important cultural
venues in several countries such as Cyprus, Israel, Greece, Italy,
France, England, Canada, USA and Mexico. With the band "Iristhoenparodo"
they represented Greece in the 8th European Jazz Festival (Athens 2008)
and he has cooperated in composing and orchestrating its last album
‘istrilasia’ (El Capitan 2010).
He is one of the key members and recording artist for the Cypriot
singer and composer Lefteris Moumtzis and his band «J. Kriste, Master of
Disguise».
Kato Drys, Larnaca District
27 of July - 1st of August
Info / Registration / Accommodation:
info@louvana.com.cy - (+357) 99735225 (Mon. - Frid. 9am - 6pm)
