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
MUSICAL THEATRE – OPERA – MIXED MEDIA
2024 – Stavros Niarchos Hall, Greek National Opera (GNO)
“Odos Fantastikis”
Musical theatre piece, 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 instrumental ensemble (trombone/violin/cello/percussion/accordion).
Musical direction: Sofia Kamayianni
Theatre instruction and stage direction: 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.
Libretto by Giota Vasilakopoulou.
Two lyrical singers, violin, piano.
Musical coaching/conducting: Sofia Kamayianni
Production organization: Artivistas group.
Touring: 2024 – PIOP Museums (Lesvos, Stymphalia, Sparta); 2025 – Athens Concert Hall (Megaron) and Greek primary schools; European presentation in Munich.
2023 – Garden of the Knossos Research Centre, British School at Athens
“Aorates poleis”
Sound installation.
Dramaturgy/concept: Magda Korpi
2022 – Alternative Stage, Greek National Opera (revival 2023)
“To erotevmeno synnefo”
Family opera based on the work by Nazim Hikmet.
Libretto by El. Zafeiriou.
Featuring the Rosarte Children’s and Youth Choir and three lyrical singers.
Flute, ney, clarinet & bass clarinet, trombone, percussion, piano, violin, cello (fl/ney/cl-Bcl/trmb/perc/pf/vln/vcl).
Musical direction: Sofia Kamayianni
Stage direction: Eleni Efthymiou
2017 – Karezis Theatre (Athens) and Thessaloniki Concert Hall
“Perasa…”
Multimedia performance inspired by the poetry of Kiki Dimoula.
For two actors, four musicians (clarinet, violin, piano, double bass), video, and electroacoustic sounds.
Concept/direction/piano/musical direction: Sofia Kamayianni
2006 – Semeio Theatre and Fournos Theatre, Athens
“Mesa sto mesa”
Multidisciplinary performance for one actor, two musicians (flute, cello), video, and tape.
Concept/direction: Sofia Kamayianni
2002 – Epikentro Theatre, Patras, and 2003 Chororoe Athens
“Rabila Co”
Mixed-media music performance.
Percussion ensemble, piano, two dancers, one actor, and tape.
Concept/direction: Sofia Kamayianni
Choreography: Olympia Agalianou
1999 – Agora Theatre, Patras
“Apovathra”
For one actress and six musicians (oboe, clarinet, trombone, piano, viola, double bass).
Texts by Pothitos Baïkas
OTHER RECENT PRESENTATIONS
2024 – Livewire 14 Festival, Resounding, UMBC (Baltimore)
World premiere of the work “Puhpowee” (2024) for Piano+ (copyright by Tim Ward) and percussion.
Performers: Teodora Adsharova (piano), Dustin Donahue (percussion).
2024 – Livewire 14 Festival, Resounding, UMBC (Baltimore)
“Moveable types” for two cellos.
Performers: Gita Ladd (cello), Juan Sebastian Delgado (cello), members of the Ruckus Ensemble.
2023 – Music Library of Greece “Lilian Voudouri”, Athens Concert Hall
“Ble kai asimi”
Experimental piano performance of automatic composition by Sofia Kamayianni, in two parts.
First presentation of the Piano+ project, in collaboration (concept & construction) with Tim Ward.
2023 – Aula of the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Athens
“Afto to kalo / Ce quo’nt les yeux” (2022)
Poetry by Samuel Beckett, for mezzo-soprano, accordion, kanun, bouzouki, viola, politiko laouto (Constantinopolitan lute) and tape.
Part of the Erasmus+ program “Musical Bounce Back: Promoting the role of women in contemporary creation and education.”
MUSIC FOR THEATRE
2024 – National Theatre of Greece, Nikos Kourkoulos Stage
“Sto soma tis”
By El. Efthymiou, S. Eftychiadou, N. Maistrali
Directed by Eleni Efthymiou
2021–2023 – Elefsina, European Capital of Culture, Old Oil Mill Parking Area
“Eleftheroi Poliorkimenoi”
By Dionysios Solomos
Direction and dramaturgy: Eleni Efthymiou
2018 – National Theatre of Greece, Main Stage
“Psila apo ti gefyra”
By Arthur Miller
Directed by Niketi Kontouri
2016 – Regional Municipal Theatre of Patras (DIPETHE Patras)
“Oi mikroastoi”
By Maxim Gorky
Directed by Kostas Kazakos
2016 – Regional Municipal Theatre of Patras (DIPETHE Patras)
“Odyssevach”
By Xenia Kalogeropoulou
Directed by Panagiotis Vassilopoulos
2014 – National Theatre of Northern Greece (KTHBE)
“Perses”
By Aeschylus
Directed by Niketi Kontouri
2013 – Regional Municipal Theatre of Kozani (DIPETHE Kozanis)
“Agamemnon”
By Aeschylus
Directed by Niketi Kontouri
2010 – Ionio Theatre
“Tita Lou”
By Kathryn Ann
Directed by Dimitris Voultsos
2008 – Regional Municipal Theatre of Patras (DIPETHE Patras)
“Mallia Kouvaria”
By Nikos Laskaris
Directed by Kostas Tsianos
2008 – Theatre Group of University of Patras (TH.O.E.P.P.)
“Oi ilithioi”
By Neil Simon
Directed by Dimitris Voultsos
2006 – Ionio Theatre
“Erotas sti Florentia”
By Oscar Wilde
Directed by Dimitris Voultsos
2002 – Theatre Group of University of Patras (TH.O.E.P.P.)
“Mi skotoneis ti mama”
By Charlotte Keatley
Directed by Dimitris Voultsos
2000 – Theatre Group of Employees, University of Patras (TH.O.E.P.P.)
“O Genikos Grammateas”
By Ilias Kapetanakis
Directed by Dimitris Voultsos
1999 – Regional Municipal Theatre of Patras (DIPETHE Patras)
“Oikogeneia Noe”
By Xenia Kalogeropoulou
Directed by Dimitris Voultsos