Mel Bay's Guitar Journals: Flamenco
Ioannis started his musical studies on both the Flamenco & contemporary Electric guitar at the age of 12. He studied both styles privately, with numerous teachers and at the Contemporary Music program of the Philippos Nakas Conservatory in Athens, Greece. He continued his studies at the American College of Greece, from where he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in 1993. Subsequently, he relocated to Hollywood, CA and pursued extensive studies at the distinguished Musicians Institute, where he started working as an instructor after graduating at the top 1% of his class in 1996.     He was subsequently accepted for Graduate studies in Flamenco guitar under the tutelage of the great flamenco guitar master Juan Serrano at the California State University, where he completed an MA in Guitar Performance, with emphasis in Concert Flamenco Guitar, graduating Magna cum Laude. Currently, he is working towards a Doctorate in Education, with emphasis on Music.     In 1999, he acquired 1st place at the "California Guitar Panorama", an international contest of Classical and Flamenco guitar.     In 1999, he founded in collaboration with Philippos Nakas Conservatory in Athens the 1st Flamenco guitar department in Greece.    In 2000, he became the 1st guitarist ever to present a solo guitar recital at the Greek National Opera House.     On August 2000, his first solo CD, "Ioannis - Live at loannina", was released by MP3.com and immediately entered the company's Top 10 chart in flamenco guitar music, eventually reaching the #1 place worldwide on October 2002.     In 2002, his 1st instructional book, titled "The Art of Rasgueado" was published by Mel Bay Publications.     His 2nd & 3rd Flamenco instructional books, titled "The Art of Tremolo" and "Flamenco Fuitar Studies, Vol.1" are currently in the process of being published by Mel Bay Publications.    Ioannis has presented over 300 Flamenco guitar recitals in Greece and the United States and has given lectures and seminars at several leading American colleges and Universities (University of Southern California, California State University Northridge, California State University Fresno, California State University Fullerton, Musicians Institute: Fresno City College, American College of Greece).     Ioannis has been featured more than a dozen times on American TV.    In Greece, he has lectured at the most prominent International Guitar Festivals (International guitar festival of Ermoupolis, International guitar festival of Volos, International guitar festival of Patras) and he has presented solo recitals in most of the major cities (Athens, Volos, Patra, Thessaloniki, Ioannina, Samos, Ermoupoli, Halkida, Tripoli and more).    Ioannis is currently sponsored by La Bella Flamenco Guitar Strings.     At present, Ioannis is Professor of Music at the American College of Greece and presents numerous Flamenco seminars, masterclasses and recitals around Greece. He also instructs privately a large number of students, through his professional teaching studio. In addition, he is currently recording his second solo flamenco guitar CD, due out Summer 2004 and is preparing an extensive series of additional instructional materials for Mel Bay Publications.     For more information about Ioannis, email info@ioannis.org .  For an extended selection of audio clips, video files, book samples, latest news and much more,   visit the Ioannis Official Web site at www.ioannis.org