Matthaios Tsahouridis

In both Greece and Turkey he is currently considered to be the best Pontic lyra (or Kemençe) violinist[citation needed]; he is lauded for his wide range of styles, innovation and fusion with other ethnic performers from around the globe.

Tsahouridis won the first prize in a Pan-Hellenic Music Competition organized by the Greek Ministry of Education at the Athens Concert Hall (Megaron Mousikis) in 1996.

He attained his PhD in 2007, titled: 'The Pontic lyra in contemporary Greece', the first doctorate in the U.K. referring to the performance of non-western music cultures.

He was one of the performers of the main music theme of the BBC for the Olympic Games of Athens with the opera band Amici and Prague Symphony Orchestra.

In 2006 Matthaios was the co-artistic director of the opening ceremony for the International Byzantine Congress of London with Lady Marina Marks as Chairman and Prince Charles as patron.