Sophia Kamayanni - Composer
Sofia Kamayianni / Composer – Musician
Sofia Kamayianni’s musical journey unfolds through a wide spectrum of artistic pursuits — heartfelt collaborations, daring experiments, and a constant spirit of exploration.
She studied piano, classical percussion, contemporary composition, and music for theatre and film, as well as mathematics, in Greece and the United Kingdom. She holds postgraduate degrees from the University of Leeds (MEd) and Goldsmiths College, University of London (MMus).
Her instrumental and electroacoustic works have been performed in Greece and internationally (UK, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, USA) by acclaimed ensembles and orchestras, including the Kreutzer Quartet, Camerata, Athens Municipality Symphony Orchestra, UMBC Symphony Orchestra, Rosarte Choir, Ruckus Ensemble, ERT Contemporary Music Orchestra, L’Anima, and Krousis, among others.
Her electroacoustic piece Words without words was selected by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) Ars Acustica for inclusion in a double CD released to celebrate its 20th anniversary (2009).
Sofia has composed music for numerous theatre productions — among them for the National Theatre of Greece, the National Theatre of Northern Greece, “Eleusis 2023 – European Capital of Culture,” and the Municipal Theatres of Patras and Kozani. She has also written songs, music for short films and video art, dance performances, and sound–visual installations.
She composed the music for the ancient tragedies Persians (NTNG, 2014) and Agamemnon (Municipal Theatre of Kozani, 2013), both of which toured extensively and were presented at major venues such as the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus (Persians) and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus (Agamemnon).
Performative music — from experimental multimedia works to music theatre — remains a central and evolving part of her artistic identity. Notable milestones include I passed…, inspired by the poetry of Kiki Dimoula (2017, Tz. Karezi Theatre & Thessaloniki Concert Hall), and her first opera The Cloud in Love, commissioned by the Alternative Stage of the Greek National Opera, with a libretto by Eleni Zafeiriou based on the tale by Nazim Hikmet and directed by Eleni Efthymiou. The opera premiered in January 2022 and was revived in December 2023 following great success.
As a performer, she has participated in numerous ensembles and artistic projects, appearing in concerts, festivals, and theatre productions across Greece and abroad.
From 2003 to 2007, she co-hosted the radio program 21st Century – Trends and Experimentations with Dora Panagopoulou on Greece’s Third Programme (ERT).
Teaching is also a vital part of her creative life — a space where knowledge, research, and lived experience intersect. She has collaborated as a teacher, mentor, and workshop leader with several institutions and educational programs, including the Greek National Opera, ERT, Onassis Stegi, National Theatre of Greece, Orff School of Moraitis, Opera Studio Patras, and the Municipal Conservatory of Nafplio.
As of September 2025, Sofia Kamayianni is represented worldwide by MUSICENTRY.
She is a founding member of Spiza.
YouTube: Nyxtofanaro
Works on I Resound Press: iresound.umbc.edu
More about Spiza: spiza.gr
LIST OF WORKS
Inconsistency (2000), for piano, cello and small percussion
Humanus ZPKO9/3-Phase experiment (2001), for recorders and tape
A…musical letter to Evelyn Baring (2001), for solo voice
Rabila Co (2001), for 4 percussion players and tape
In an allusive manner (Me tropo ypainiktiko, 2002), for 4 percussion players and pre-recorded synthesizer
C.B. Quartet (2002)
Moment–Feedback (Stigmi–Anadrasi, 2002), string quartet in 2 movements
Three short pieces for string orchestra (2003) (The dance of Fifinella, Volat, Far away)
Arithmosophy – Arithmomania (2003), for 1 violin, 3 cellos and 3 double basses
Folegandros (2003), for solo piano
Fairy-Tale Sounds (2003), for flute, small percussion, violin, cello, piano (for school orchestra)
Moveable types (2004), for 2 cellos
The mystery of r/r/r (2004), for violin, viola, cello and piano
Workshop of dreams (2005), for flute, clarinet, cello, piano and percussion
Screws for crooked woods (Vides gia stravoxyla, 2006), (graphic score) for soprano, saxophone, cello, tuba, piano and actor
Once upon a time… (Mia fora ki enan kairo…, 2006), for cello and tape
Lost (2006), for school orchestra
The mirror (2007), 5 miniatures for solo piano
Ano throsko (2009), for string orchestra and children’s choir
Clepsydra Mm (2009), for clarinets, flute, percussion and tape
I have done with phrases (2010), for soprano, bass, portative, gong, and electronics
Prelude (Preloudio, 2011), for violin and piano
The Steelworkers (Oi Chalyvourgoi, 2012), for 3 trumpets, trombone and percussion
Tangled hair (Mallia kouvaria, 2012), solo piano
Which way? (2012), miniature duet for piano and violin
Dance (2012), for Youth Symphony Orchestra
Zoom! (Tzoum!, 2013), miniature for piano, violin, flute, cello (school ensemble)
Du-blossoms (Dy-anthismata, 2013), for piano, 4 hands
Night-lantern (Nychtofánaro, 2014), for piano and tape
Think of the others (Na skeftesai tous allous, 2014), poetry by M. Darwish, for children’s/young choir and piano
The lilies (Ta Krina, 2016), for solo piano
In limbo (2016), for cello and piano
Untitled (Atitlo, 2018), for bass recorder and piano
Moments (Stigmes, 2020), 4 miniatures for right-hand piano
“The months are singing” (Oi mines tragoudoun, 2021), song cycle of 12 songs in poetry by Fontas Ladis
4 Works (2021), for equal-voice choir, cello, guitar and percussion.
Part of the collective musical narrative ''Three composers in the hospital''
-
“My Spectrum”, poetry by G. Viziinos
-
“The Taxes”, poetry by G. Souris
-
“O dearest, as death came to thee unfortunate”, excerpt from The Trojan Women, Euripides
-
“Suspicions concerning the law enforcement organs”, poetry by G. Varveris
In my shadow (Ston iskio mou, 2022), for piano, 4 hands and tape
This good/Ce quo’nt les yeux (2022), poetry by Samuel Beckett, for mezzo-soprano, accordion, kanun, bouzouki, viola, politiko laouto and tape
Puhpowee (2024), Piano+ (copyright by Tim Ward) and percussion
MULTIMEDIA WORKS – MUSIC THEATRE
The Platform (Apovathra, 1999), for one actress and 6 musicians (oboe, clarinet, trombone, piano, viola, double bass)
Rabila Co (2003), multimedia music performance for a quartet of percussion, piano, 2 dancers, 1 actor, video and tape
MESA sto mesa (2006), multimedia work for 1 actor, 2 musicians (flute – cello), video and tape
I passed by… (Perasa…, 2017), mixed-media performance on the poetry by Kiki Dimoula (music, poetry, prose, video, recorded voices, electroacoustic sounds) for 2 actors and 4 musicians (clarinet, violin, piano, double bass)
The Cloud in Love (To erotevmeno synnefo, 2019), opera for children and youth, based on the work by Nazim Hikmet, libretto by El. Zafeiriou, for children’s and youth choir , 3 lyric singers and ensemble of 7 musicians (flute, clarinets, trombone, percussion, piano, violin, violoncello)
I am a talking tree (Eimai dentro pou mila, 2023), one-act chamber opera in libretto by Giota Vasilakopoulou, 2 lyric singers, violin, piano, tape
Imaginary Street (Odos Fantastikis, 2024), music theatre work in libretto by Anastasia Stylianidi with the participation of children from school units and trombone, violin, cello, percussion, accordion
THEATRE
2024 – National Theatre, Nikos Kourkoulos Stage
“In Her Body” by El. Efthymiou, S. Eftychiadou, N. Maistralis in direction El. Efthymiou
2021 – “2023, Eleusis, European Capital of Culture”, Old Olive Mill Parking Area
“The Free Besieged” by Dionysios Solomos in direction & dramaturgy by El. Efthymiou
2018 – National Theatre, Main Stage
“A View from the Bridge” by Arthur Miller in direction by N. Kontouri
2016 – Patras Municipal and Regional Theatre (DIPETHE Patras)
“The Petty Bourgeois” by Maxim Gorky in direction by K. Kazakos
2016 – Patras Municipal and Regional Theatre (DIPETHE Patras)
“Odysseusbach” by Xenia Kalogeropoulou in direction by P. Vasilopoulos
2014 – National Theatre of Northern Greece (NTNG)
“The Persians” by Aeschylus in direction by N. Kontouri
2013 – Kozani Municipal and Regional Theatre (DIPETHE Kozani)
“Agamemnon” by Aeschylus in direction by N. Kontouri
2010 – IONIO Theatre
“Tita Lou” by Katherine Ann in direction by D. Voultsos
2008 – Patras Municipal and Regional Theatre (DIPETHE Patras)
“A Tangled Mess” by Nikos Laskaris in direction by K. Tsianos
2008 – T.O.E.P.P
“The Idiots” by Neil Simon in direction by D. Voultsos
2006 – IONIO Theatre
“Love in Florence” by Oscar Wilde in direction by D. Voultsos
2002 – T.O.E.P.P
“Don’t Kill Mommy” by Charlotte Keatley in direction by D. Voultsos
2000 – Theatre Group of the Employees of the University of Patras (T.O.E.P.P)
“The General Secretary” by Ilias Kapetanakis in direction by D. Voultsos
1999 – Patras Municipal and Regional Theatre (DIPETHE Patras)
“The Noah Family” by Xenia Kalogeropoulou in direction by D. Voultsos
DANCE
2018 – Athens & Epidaurus Festival
“Rooms” in choreography by Agni Papadeli–Rossetou, live piano and electronic composition
2017 – Music in Motion Festival
“Mystery of r/r/r” in choreography: Olga Spiraki
SHORT & MEDIUM-LENGTH FILMS
2022 / “Orange Juice”
Drama International Short Film Festival, in direction by Dimitris Zachos, screenplay by Dimitris Koutsiabasakos
2020 / “Inside the Space of Her Mind”
Co-production: En Dynamei group & Mind the Fact Festival, in direction by Eleni Efthymiou
2009 / “A Job Like Any Other”
48 Hour Film Project in direction by Giannis Karkanévatos – Stavros Nikolaou
2004 / “You’ll Drink Coffee When You Grow Up”
Drama International Short Film Festival, in screenplay & direction by Giannis Kolios
2004 / “At the Lighthouse”
Drama International Short Film Festival, in screenplay & direction by Stavros Nikolaou
PERFORMANCES OF MUSICAL THEATRE – OPERA – MIXED MEDIA
2024 ** – Stavros Niarchos Hall, Greek National Opera (GNO)
“Odos Fantastikis” musical theatre in libretto by A. Stylianidis. “3rd Bell Opera” – Educational and Social Activities, GNO, with the participation of 200 children from 10 schools of Attica and an ensemble of 5 musicians, in direction by Eleni Zachopoulou
2023 ** – Castle of Lamia (“All of Greece One Culture”, Hellenic Ministry of Culture)
“Eimai dentro pou mila” one-act chamber opera for the whole family in libretto by Giota Vasilakopoulou, 2 lyrical singers, violin, piano, tape. Production organization: Artivistas group. Touring: 2024 in PIOP Museums (Lesvos, Stymphalia, Sparta) and : 2025 in Athens Concert Hall (Megaron) and Greek primary schools and European presentation in Munich.
2023 – Garden of the Knossos Research Centre, British School at Athens
“Aorates poleis” Sound installation, dramaturgy/concept by Magda Korpi
2022 ** – Alternative Stage, Greek National Opera (repetition 2023)
“To erotevmeno synnefo” family opera based on the work by Nazim Hikmet, in liibretto by El. Zafeiriou, Rosarte Children’s and Youth Choir, 3 lyrical singers, ensemble of 7 musicians (flute, clarinets, trombone, percussion, piano, violin, cello, in Stage direction by Eleni Efthymiou.
The "Theatroskopio" in Vouli TV channel dedicated an emission to ''The erotevmeno synnefo'' , 16.01.2022
2017 * + ** - Theater Karezi (Athens) + Thessaloniki Concert Hall
‘’Perasa… ‘’ based on the poetry of Kiki Dimoula, for 2 actors, 4 musicians (clarinet, violin, piano, double bass), video and electroaccoustic sounds.
2006 ** – Patra Workhouse - Cultural Capital 2006
“The storytelling project” performance of contemporary music and narration, 3 composers on stage, 2 musicians, 1 actor, saxophone, percussion, piano, cello, sound-generating objects, electro-acoustics. Production organization Spiza.
2006 * – Semeio Theatre and Fournos Theatre, Athens
“Mesa sto mesa” multidisciplinary performance for 1 actor, 2 musicians (flute, cello), video, and tape. Production Spiza
2002 * – Epikentro Theatre, Patras, and 2003 Chororoe Athens
“Rabila Co” mixed-media, percussion ensemble, piano, 2 dancers, 1 actor, video, tape. Choreography by Olympia Agalianou. Production Spiza
1999 – Agora Theatre, Patras
“Apovathra”
for 1 actress and 6 musicians.Texts by Pothitos Baïkas. Direction Dionysis Voultsos.
RECENT PRESENTATIONS OF WORKS
2024 – Livewire 14 Festival, Resounding, UMBC (Baltimore)
The Festival celebrated the work and completion of I Resound Press, «an online archive of scores and recordings by women composers selected for their imagination, innovation and craft»
World premiere of the work “Puhpowee” (2024) for Piano+ and percussion.
2024 – Livewire 14 Festival, Resounding, UMBC (Baltimore)
“Moveable types” for 2 cellos.
2023 – Aula of the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Athens
“Afto to kalo / Ce quo’nt les yeux” (2022) in poetry by Samuel Beckett, a tribute to women composers of 20th - 21st centrury in the frame of
Erasmus+ program “Musical Bounce Back: Promoting the role of women in contemporary creation and education” for mezzo-soprano, accordion, kanun, bouzouki, viola, politiko laouto and tape. Curation and direction of student ensemble by Al. Kapsokavadis
2023 – Music Library , Athens Concert Hall
“Ble kai asimi” pianistic performance of automatic composition by Sofia Kamayianni, in two parts. First presentation of the Piano+ project, in collaboration (concept & construction) with Tim Ward.
The "Ble kai asimi" of 10th March was transmitted by the the Third Program in 2 emissions in 6th and 7th April 2023.
DISCOGRAPHY
The Platform (Η Αποβάθρα ) - instrumental music, 1999, Palmos
In the Halo of the Stars (Στων άστρων την άλω) – song and poetry, 2008, 64millimetres
Lovely Εchoes - Music from medieval and 21st century in quotation and composition, 2012, Spiza team
The Lillies (Τα Κρίνα) - Solo piano Sofia Kamayianni, single, digital release by Subways Music, 2021
RECORDING
The Months Sing «Οι μήνες τραγουδούν» - 2021, in poetry by Fontas Ladis, ERT Contemporary Music Orchestra, direction G. Aravidis, Apostolis Psihramis, Theodissia Savvaki, Typaldos children choir.
PARTICIPATIONS
Two Eyes (Δυο μάτια) (Cd “Δεν ξέρω παρά να τραγουδώ, 19 composers set to music K. Palamas, 2004, University of Athens).
Words without words (electroacoustic, “20 Years EBU Ars Acustica”, 2009, Czech Radio)
I Sketch a Swastika while killing my time (Σκιτσάρω αγκυλωτό σταυρό την ώρα μου σκοτώνω), lyrics by D. Voultsos, from “Μια απάντηση” (An Answer), an antifascist song collection by Kollektiva–Ellinofreneia, 2013, Phonograph
The house where I was born (Το σπίτι που γεννήθηκα) poetry by Kostis Palamas, from Kleoniki Demiri’s album “Μαγική συνταγή” (Magic Recipe)