Greek traditional music, rebetiko, smyrneika (music of Asia Minor), ethno-jazz world music. Oud, bouzouki, laouto, lyra, kemane, mandocello. Music is the art of the soul.
News, Reviews, and Testimonials
News
February 2025. Enormous congratulations to Dr. Koliavasilis for receiving the State of Maryland’s 2025 Heritage Award. This prestigious honor recognizes his long term achievements in the traditional arts as a master of Greek music and teacher of hundreds of students “sharing the tradition” of Greek music. Read more about the Award at these links:
December 2024 – Spyros Koliavasilis ushered in the holidays with great flair! The full house at Creative Cauldron on 18 December was a night to remember. Hear what audience members said about the Creative Cauldron concert:
The songs of Spyros Koliavasilis were performed beautifully and with a sense of authenticity that evoked heartfelt memories of Greek traditions, history, and culture. Many of the lyrics described the challenging times that Greeks faced during the turbulent decades of their recent history. They portrayed the love and commitment to country, family, and faith that Greeks armed themselves with to confront these trials. Spyros’ ability to relate with his audience is special, and his impressive skills in mastering a variety of different instruments made the evening both highly entertaining and deeply inspiring. He has a natural talent that grips an audience by simultaneously evoking pathos and joy to express the exuberance and enduring glory of the Greek spirit.
–Karen and Koula Polizos, audience members
“I thoroughly enjoyed the event: Spyros Koliavasilis, Songs of the Sea and Carols of Greece. What a range of song selection, from different islands and other parts of the country! What amazing knowledge of music, history, execution. What a wonderful voice! A big thank you to the musicians and to the organizers. Will definitely come again and recommend to others.”
–Dr. Chrys Gaitatzes, audience member
Only five days later, Spyros performed to another full house at the Embassy of Greece in Washington DC. See a video made by the Embassy thanking Spyros, here. Spyros is featured by the Embassy of Greece in its December 2024 Newsletter.
November 15, 2024 – On November 1, 2024 Spyros Koliavasilis presented The Rebetiko Project at the prestigious Hill Center as part of the Global Sounds on the Hill Concert Series in the historic Old Naval Hospital in Washington D.C. to great acclaim. Listen: https://youtu.be/cy87_Wt2LAI Read reviews of the concert here: https://spyroskoliavasilismusic.com/news/
August 5, 2025 – Congratulations, Spyro! The State of Maryland has once again recognized Spyros Koliavasilis as a Master of Greek Traditional Music, marking the third time he has received this prestigious accolade. The Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) has awarded him the 2025 Apprenticeship Grant, celebrating his invaluable role as a Master Teacher and in preserving and passing along the rich heritage of Greek Traditional Music.
May 11, 2024 – Spyro’s Rebetiko duet, Melos, represented the music of Greece at the Embassy of Greece in Washington DC’s Europe Day Open House entertaining over 3,000 visitors for over five hours! Axios!
April 14, 2024 – If you missed Spyro’s 2nd appearance on Daily Antidote of Song, no worries. You can see the entire song lesson and performance here: https://www.youtube.com/live/nxNVPVBoWhY?feature=shared (The song is TI KALA TO LEI TO AIDONI / ΤΙ ΚΑΛΑ ΤΟ ΛΕΕΙ Τ’ΑΗΔΟΝΙ, a beautiful, haunting, and soul-stirring song that is one of his favorites)
March 17, 2024 – By invitation from the City of Virginia Beach, VA Melos performed a concert about the history of Rebetiko Music as part of the VBGIGs (Virginia Beach Globally Inspired Gatherings) music series featuring world-class, culturally rooted performing artists from around the globe. Mediterranean Blues featuring Melos and History of Rebetiko Music was a huge success with a welcoming and enthusiastic audience. Read more about this concert and the VA Beach Globally Inspired Gatherings here. “On behalf of Melos, I would like to thank the City of VA Beach, the Simon Family JCC, the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Norfolk, Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church of VA Beach, and the Embassy of Greece in Washington DC for your support of Melos. We hope to see you all again soon. We will post video from the concert soon.” -Spyros Koliavasilis
January 2024. Exciting News! Spyros is featured on the esteemed Maryland Artist Touring Roster. This is a list of juried Maryland-based artists who have a demonstrated history of successful, professional touring engagements. Artists who are appointed to the Roster have been selected through an internal review process. View his profile directly on the official site: Visit Spyros’s profile
December 2023. Spyros was featured in the 2023 Creative Cauldron Holiday Cabaret on December 20th, 2023. He captivated the audience with an enchanting performance of Greek Carols (Kalanda) and lullabies from Greece and the surrounding region. It was a heartwarming experience as the sold-out theater was filled with a receptive audience. Experience some of the magic and listento videos from the concert.
Reviews & Testimonials
What people are saying
December 2024 – Spyros Koliavasilis ushered in the holidays with great flair! The full house at Creative Cauldron on 18 December was a night to remember. Hear what audience members said about the Creative Cauldron concert:
The songs of Spyros Koliavasilis were performed beautifully and with a sense of authenticity that evoked heartfelt memories of Greek traditions, history, and culture. Many of the lyrics described the challenging times that Greeks faced during the turbulent decades of their recent history. They portrayed the love and commitment to country, family, and faith that Greeks armed themselves with to confront these trials. Spyros’ ability to relate with his audience is special, and his impressive skills in mastering a variety of different instruments made the evening both highly entertaining and deeply inspiring. He has a natural talent that grips an audience by simultaneously evoking pathos and joy to express the exuberance and enduring glory of the Greek spirit.
–Karen and Koula Polizos, audience members
“I thoroughly enjoyed the event: Spyros Koliavasilis, Songs of the Sea and Carols of Greece. What a range of song selection, from different islands and other parts of the country! What amazing knowledge of music, history, execution. What a wonderful voice! A big thank you to the musicians and to the organizers. Will definitely come again and recommend to others.”
–Dr. Chrys Gaitatzes, audience member
Only five days later, Spyros performed to another full house at the Embassy of Greece in Washington DC. See a video made by the Embassy
“Spyros Koliavasilis’s performances are thrilling. He is an immensely accomplished musician and vocalist whose concerts are as enriching and thoughtful as they are captivating. We have loved hosting him at Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital, and look forward to his next performance.”
Mary Ann Brownlow/Programming Consultant, Hill Center DC
“Thank you Spyro and Niko for the memorable experience and for reminding us of the beauty and power of Greek music. Your passion and dedication to preserving the musical heritage and rich culture of Greece were evident to the more than 3,000 people who visited the Embassy at the EU Open House”
Katerina Nassika
Ambassador of Greece to the United States
What people are saying
“We listened to poems by Solomos to Seferis, Elytis, Ritsos. The Koliavasilis Ensemble beautifully presented in related intervals, some of the poems put to music by Theodorakis and other Greek composers. It’s moving to see that through this modern poetry the students realized the value of the ideals of Hellenism and the relevance they have in modern society. Και του χρονου.”
Magdalene Kantartzi
Participant at the Hellenic Ideals in Modern Greek Poetry Conference & Music Performance (April 2024)
What People Are Saying
“Heads up to these amazing people from the music team and who without them this would not be possible. Spyro’s recording session, instrument expertise, and musical artistry were invaluable during the production of the score for Cliffs of Freedom. I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with him again in the near future!”
George Kallis
Film and TV Composer, Soundtrack for Cliffs of Freedom
What people are saying
“The Karpouzi Trio (Spyros Koliavasilis with Margaret Loomis and Len Newman) create one of the most delightful performances and are a regular highlight at the Folklore Society of Greater Washington’s Washington Folk Festival at Glen Echo Park every year on the weekend after Memorial Day. They might start with a sinuous Greek dance, but before long, everyone is swaying to the crooked rhythms of the whole Balkan region. Vocals in wonderful languages rise as descants over the sounds of a variety of stringed instruments expertly plucked or hammered. Invariably, folks get caught up in the rhythms, rise, and start dancing to the irresistible music in an informal line snaking through the audience in the tent. Can any experience impart more bliss than this?”
Charlie Baum, Programmer
The Folklore Society of Greater Washington’s Washington Folk Festival at Glen Echo Park
“Mr. Spyros Koliavasilis with his music group Melos has offered a great live music background to my restaurant Ela Mesa Taste of Greece for over a year. His music and the variety of Greek instruments he plays gives such an authentic feel to the atmosphere and our guests enjoy the experience.“
— George Papaevangelou, Owner
Ela Mesa Taste of Greece Restaurant
“Thank you, Karpouzi Trio, for a wonderful performance at the Takoma Park Folk Festival. The audience really seemed to enjoy your music, with many in attendance enthusiastically getting up to dance. Thank you for your musicianship and your professionalism.”
— Mark Sylvester, Program Committee Member
Takoma Park Folk Festival
The Musical Tribute to Mikis Theodorakis, held on February 18, 2023, at the St. George’s Grand Hall, was an unqualified success. Attended by more than 170 members and friends of Prometheas, the event offered a memorable musical concert, a gourmet buffet, excellent wine, and genuine fun. The president of Prometheas, Pericles Stabekis gave an eloquent introduction, making way for the musical trio “Mortes”, which entertained the crowd with masterful renditions of Theodorakis’ music and songs. Moving, exhilarating and soulful, the sounds and lyrics took the audience to a trip down memory lane inspiring the brave to take to the dance floor where they expressed their feelings with abandon. Led by Spyros Koliavasilis, the musical group was cheered heartily by the crowd leaving everyone extoling its virtuosity. All along, the exquisitely prepared food and Greek wine contributed deliciously to the festivities. All in all, an evening to remember.
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Spyros Koliavasilis Music 