Mouth Ensemble – Eργαστήριο BeatboxΓιώργος Γαργάλας
26 March 2026
Arabic Music Workshop: Voice and Musical EnsembleZiad Rajab
26 March 2026Violin: Solo and Orchestral in the Eastern Mediterranean
Coordination: Μichalis Kouloumis
Duration: 30 hours
Hours: 10.00 – 14.00 & 17.00 – 19.00
(the hours may be adjusted to meet the needs of the workshop)
Language: English, Greek
25 - 31 August
(25.8 arrival date / 31.8 departure date)
The violin is considered one of the most expressive and versatile musical instruments. With its flexibility and dynamic range, it has successfully integrated into diverse musical cultures around the world, adopting stylistic elements and techniques from the local instruments of each region. Since the early 20th century, it has held a prominent place in classical, folk, and traditional ensembles in the Eastern Mediterranean.
In this seminar, internationally acclaimed violinist and composer Michalis Kouloumis will explore the different roles of the violin in the music of the Eastern Mediterranean. The instrument will be approached both as a solo—through improvisations (taksims), the Aegean Sea traditions and the Smyrna-style rebetiko songs—and as an ensemble instrument, as found in classical Ottoman and Arabic music, as well as in Greek folk traditions. The proposed repertoire will include selected pieces and compositions from these musical traditions.
Throughout the seminar, key aspects of the violin’s expressiveness will be highlighted: the development of musical phrasing, sense of rhythm, the use of variations, and the practice of improvisation (taksim). At the same time, techniques such as vibrato, glissando, ponticello, ornamentation, motifs, and characteristic phrasing will be presented, shaping the distinctive style of each musical tradition.
Prerequisites:
- To have a satisfactory level of reading musical notation (5-line staff).
- The workshop is mainly aimed at violinists but also at all musicians on other bowed instrument (lyra, kemence, viola, cello).
- Anyone interested in participating in the workshop is kindly asked to send a short video (1-2 min) in which they record a tune that draws its origin from the above traditions (Greece, Turkey, Arab world, Cyprus).
Michalis Kouloumis
Michalis Kouloumis was born into a musical family in Cyprus, which instilled in him a profound sensitivity to music from an early age. Initially trained in European classical violin, his artistic pursuits naturally extended to the exploration of the rich musical traditions of the Eastern Mediterranean and beyond.
He followed further studies in Greek traditional music at the Philippos Nakas Conservatory in Athens, where he earned his diploma with distinction under the mentorship of violinist Yorgos Marinakis. In parallel with his musical education, he completed undergraduate studies in Physics at the University of Athens. In 2013, he obtained a Master of Arts in Violin Performance -with a specialization in Taksim in Ottoman Classical music- from CodArts, University for the Arts (Netherlands), where he distinguished himself as the first alumnus to be awarded the “10/10 Excellence in Performance” prize.
Kouloumis enriched his musical development by participating in workshops led by esteemed artists such as Kudsi Ergüner, Ömer Erdoğdular, Ross Daly, Nedim Nalbantoğlu, Baki Kemancı, Harris Lambrakis, Efren Lopez, and Murat Aydemir.
As a performer, Michalis Kouloumis has collaborated with world-renowned artists, including Ross Daly, Jordi Savall, Kudsi Ergüner, Nana Mouskouri, Gabriel Yared, Sokratis Sinopoulos, Efren Lopez, Ghada Shbeir, Thimios Atzakas, Zohar Fresco, Hrachya Avanesyan, among many others.
He has appeared at some of the world’s most prestigious venues and festivals, including: Royal Albert Hall (London, UK), Concertgebouw (Brugge, BE), Union Chapel (London, UK), King’s Place (London, UK), Onassis Cultural Centre (Athens, GR), Palace of Arts (Budapest, HU), Katara Festival (Doha, QA), WOMAD (UK), Mawazine Festival (Rabat, MAR), Sharq Taronalari Festival (Samarkand, UZB), Bimhuis (Amsterdam, NL), Muziekpublique (Brussels, BE), Festival Abbaye de Fontfroide (FR), Sydney Festival (AU), WOMEX Showcase (Las Palmas, ES).
Between 2013 and 2023, Kouloumis was a faculty member at Codarts, University for the Arts where he taught courses on Ottoman Classical Music, Greek Traditional Music and Makam Improvisation.
His personal discography comprises of: SOIL (2014), EPHEMERA (2017), MUSIC FOR SHEPHERDS AND SULTANS (2023), DISPLACED DREAMS (2025), THE MUSIC OF CYPRUS (2026).
He is the founder and artistic director of the Ammochostos Orchestra, whose vision is the development of young talents in Cyprus and the promotion of traditional music in Cyprus and abroad.
Beyond his musical career, Michalis Kouloumis is also a dedicated runner, actively competing in medium and long-distance races.