Biography

Chronis Koutsoumpidis was born on June 22, 1986, in Ptolemaida, Greece. He began his musical studies at the age of seven. In 2007, he received his Guitar Diploma from the Municipal Conservatory of Ptolemaida with Unanimous Distinction, First Prize, and an Award for Exceptional Performance, having studied on a scholarship for the final seven years. Prior to this, in 2005, he earned his degree in Harmony.

In 2009, he graduated from the Department of Music Science and Art at the University of Macedonia, from the class of Elena Papandreou. Subsequently, in 2015, he completed his Master’s Program in Guitar at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg, under the guidance of Eliot Fisk. He earned his degrees in Counterpoint in 2018 and Fugue in 2020. Furthermore, he studied composition at the School of Music Studies of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki under professor Dimitris Papageorgiou, graduating in 2026.

He has won significant awards in various competitions, including: First Prize at the International Competition of Gargnano (Italy, 2010), First Prize at the Panhellenic Competition of Veria (Greece, 2008), First Prize at the International Competition of Volos (Greece, 2001), and First Prize at the Chamber Music Festival in Thessaloniki (2016). He also won Second Prize at the "Savarez-Corelli" International Chamber Music Competition in Salzburg (Austria, 2015) performing with the "Aeolian Guitar Duo." Additionally, he has been honored by the "Dimitris Fampas" Guitar Friends Society for his contribution to promoting the composer's work.

He has given solo and chamber music concerts in Austria and Greece (Athens Concert Hall - Megaron, Thessaloniki Concert Hall - Megaron, Casa dei Mezzo Festival, etc.). He has performed several times as a soloist with the Symphony Orchestra of the Department of Music Science and Art (University of Macedonia) and has given the world premieres of numerous works.

In 2018, he released his debut album featuring works by composer Yiorgos Nousis, and in 2021, his first original composition was published by the Swiss publishing house "Pizzicato Noten."

He has attended masterclasses and lessons with renowned musicians, including Oscar Ghiglia, Roland Dyens, Carlo Domeniconi, Marco Tamayo, Simone Fontanelli, Margarita Escarpa, Timo Korhonen, Isabella Siewers de Pazur, Laura Young, Vangelis Boudounis, and Thanos Mitsalas, among others.

Since 2005, he has been actively involved in teaching guitar at various conservatories and music schools across Greece.

His artistic endeavors have garnered warm reviews from the press. Notable quotes include: "...he impressed the audience with his virtuosity..." (Imerisia newspaper), and "...artists of this caliber honor the city and make their fellow citizens proud..." (Ptolemaios newspaper).