Kalliopy April Baklitzanaki.
I am half English and half Greek, and grew up in Greece. There I learnt to sing traditional music such as Dimotika, Rebetika, and the songs of Crete where I am from. After coming to London I trained in Classical Arabic singing with Abdul-Salam Kheir and currently study Greek Byzantine Chant with Themis Prodromakis at St.Sophia Cathedral.
I have a degree in Ethnomusicology from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. Whilst studying at there I also had the opportunity to learn a range of different music traditions including: Indonesian Gamelan, Dizi (Chinese Flute), Mbira (Zimbabwean thumb piano), Malian song (Kanida Kouyate) and Baka song (Sue Hart).
I started of as a classical flautist, having completed a Diploma in Flute Performance from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. My teachers for this where Wissam Boustany (International Soloist) and Nickos Nickopoulos (Greek National Opera House). I also attended master-classes with: Katerina Zenz, Philippe Pierrlot, Wlliam Bennett, Peter Lloyd, Jadwiga Kotnowska, and Kovacs. I studied jazz flute, attaining a 1st level Diploma in Jazz Flute at the Athenaeum Conservatoire in Greece with Sylvios Syros. In search for a more ‘world music’ sound for the flute, I discovered the Ney, and studied under the guidance of Louai Alhenawi whilst also attending classes with Master Omer Erdogdular and Mohammad Antar. As well as music, my other great love is dance.
I am currently doing a Masters in Ethnochoreology at the University of Roehampton, where I am studying music and dance in the Mediterranean and Middle East. I specialize in Middle Eastern dance (belly-dance), which I teach and perform. I have frequently performed with Jo Wise’s Dance Group and Mia Serra’s ‘Mashalla’ Dance Troup, and have trained with Galit Mersand, Juliana Brustik, Asmahan, Aziza, and Yousry Sharif.
I also have a background in contemporary dance, and am currently training with Lalitaraja in Contact Improvisation.
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