Artists

Effi Minakoulis

Effi Minakoulis was born in Athens. She studied French Literature, classical guitar and classical singing and completed her studies with distinction and first prize. With a scholarship from the British Council and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama she furthered her studies at the Early Music Department of the Guildhall School, studying renaissance lute, theorbo, and singing with some of the foremost professionals of the Early Music scene.

As a member of various renaissance and baroque groups she has performed in all major venues in Greece and abroad and has collaborated with artists such as Michael Chance, Nancy Argenta, His Majesties Sagbutts and Cornets and Eric van Nevel. In December 2004 she participated in a recording of 17th century vocal and instrumental music with the ensemble Sinfonia in collaboration with the American College of Greece.

As a lute player she has collaborated with most Greek Orchestras and has participated in performances of the Baroque Operas "Τhe Tempest" (M. Locke), "Venus and Adonis" (J. Blow), "L'Incoronazione di Poppea" – "Il Ballo dell' Ingrate" (C. Monteverdi), "Euridice" (J. Peri), “Xerxe” (G.F. Handel), Orlando Furioso (A. Vivaldi) and Alcina (G.F. Handel). She has also participated in the performance and the first worldwide recordings of Handel's "Oreste" with “Camerata Stuttgart” and “Arianna in Creta” and "Tamerlano" with the Patras Orchestra for the German company MDG under the direction of George Petrou.

As a singer she is active in the Early Music scene promoting the vocal music of the 16th and 17th centuries. She has also collaborated with the Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens and the Orchestra of the American College of Athens in the performance of J. S. Bach's Christmas Oratorio and Magnificat, A. Vivaldi' s Gloria, and W. A. Mozart’s Requiem.

Mrs. Minakoulis teaches at the Early Music Department of the Nakas Conservatory and the Music Department of the American College of Greece. She has also collaborated with Megaron Moussikis in the presentation of Sunday Morning Concerts.