Giannis Ioannidis

Giannis Ioannidis was born in Athens on June 8, 1930, the son of Stavros Ioannidis and Margarita (née Kriezi). He is a significant figure in contemporary Greek music, known as a composer, conductor, musicologist, and music professor. From 1945 to 1954, he studied piano at the Athens Conservatory with teachers Elli and Spyros Farantatos and music theory with F. Oikonomidis, Th. Vavagiannis, and G. Sklavos. In 1956, he continued his studies in church organ with Karl Walter, composition with Otto Siegl, and harpsichord with E. Harrich Schneider at the Vienna Music Academy, graduating in 1963 with honors and an award. He began his music career as a professor and music director at the American College for Girls (Pierce College) from 1963 to 1968. During this time, he was also a conductor and choir director and served as an organist at the German church. In the same year, he moved to Caracas, Venezuela, where he initially appeared as a conductor and eventually took on the role of artistic director of the State Chamber Orchestra. In 1969, he was appointed professor of contemporary music composition at the Intermusica Institute in Caracas. In 1971, he became the music director and composition professor at the Metropolitan University of Caracas. Upon returning to Greece in 1976, he taught composition at the Orpheion Conservatory of Athens until 1982. He also served as the artistic director at the Nikos Skalkottas Conservatory, Philippos Nakas Conservatory, and the Conservatory of the Athens Music Society (where he continues to teach). Additionally, he was the artistic and administrative director of the Athens State Orchestra (1983-89) and president and artistic director of the Athens Choir in 1983. In 1984, he founded the National Youth Symphony Orchestra, where he remains the director. He was a member of the Union of Greek Composers as general secretary (1978-1981) and vice president (1981-1989). Furthermore, he was a member of the board of the Hellenic Association for Contemporary Music (1965-1968), president of the International Jury for the World Music Days in 1979, and president of the Greek committee for the celebration of the "Year of Music 1985."