Yiannis Psarakis

​Yiannis Psarakis was born in Athens, Greece. He began his musical journey at an early age, initially focusing on Greek folk music and later on to Western classical music. He graduated from the Athens Conservatoire, where he studied percussion under Dimitris Desyllas.

 

During his studies, he has received several distinctions and scholarships such as the “George and Maria Vergoti Music Scholarship” programme through which he appeared ,as a soloist, at the Alternative Stage of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center.

 

He has collaborated with orchestras such as the Camerata / Friends of Music Orchestra, the Athens Philharmonia and alongside the Athens Conservatoire Percussion Ensemble has collaborated with various orchestras and institutions such as the Athens State Orchestra & Onassis Foundation. Additionally, he has performed with various ensembles and solo, repertoire ranging from Theatre, to Early Music and Baroque, Symphonic Music, up to 20th century & contemporary composers. He is also involved in Improvisation, Electronic Music and Noise.

 

He was a member of the Athens Youth Symphony Orchestra. In addition, he has collaborated with the Athens Children's Museum in the framework of educational programs.