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Theodore Kanellos
BSc . Honours . Music .Technology
Luthier : Lutes, Early Guitars, Mandolins, Laoutos, Bouzoukis,
Baglamas, Al Ud, Tzouras, Sandouris, Kanonakis

Theodore was born in Piraeus, Greece in 1956 . During the preschool period he had the opportunity of growing up amongst people such us family friends or relatives, whose musical talent and taste had an immense influence on his up bringing and as it seems at a later time of his life, had an impact in his future career development.
In the proceeding years from 1962 – 1974 under his parents guidance studied in his home town junior school and high school Lyceum, in whose care he benefited from a classical education.
Upon his arrival in England in 1978, and for the next two years he studied the English language at Richmond College for overseas students.
Appearing to have some natural inclination to music, pursued further studies at West Middlesex Institute of higher Education, to undertake a foundation course in Music theory, and the study of Classical Guitar under Michael Stimpson.
After the completion of the course he began to perform music professionally at various clubs and Greek restaurants, either as a solo performer of the Bouzouki or with a group of musicians specialising at Greek folk and popular music.
 During this period he made associations with musicians of diverse cultural and musical backgrounds and began to take a serious interest in many ethnic musical instruments such as the Arabic Ud, the Greek Laouto and the European Lute, not only as a player but as a maker too.
In the mid- 80's began to create his first musical instruments, Baglamas, as a result of his involvement with Greek Rebetiko music. This lead to research on the instruments structure and methods of construction

In 1985 – 86 he met with Zachary Taylor, musical instrument maker internationally recognised for the reproduction of medieval musical instruments from the Portico of Santiago de Compostela, in Calicia, Spain. For the next five years Theodore became an apprentice of Zachary's and acquired the basic skills of musical
instrument making and technical drawing. He also appeared in exhibitions where he exhibited his first ever made Renaissance lute which earned him a silver medal at the London Woodworker Show 1989.
This new exploration into music and the creation of musical instruments, an art form in itself, led Theodore to further develop his research. He entered Guildhall University in 1991 and pursued BSc. course in music technology, which enabled him to acquaint himself with the scientific world of music technology.

For the next three years following the entry at the University he dedicated his time not only in the practical side of musical instrument making and design, but in research on the historical and morphological development of the lute, the science of acoustics, instrument conservation, restoration and repair.After his graduation he further developed his skills and range of musical instruments by producing, Bouzoukis, tzourades, laoutos , in general most of the lute family instruments of ethnic origin, or ones which closely associate with Greek folk music.
In the mid- 90's became involved with Rebetiko music and formed a band with friends, soon afterwards were engaged by Yiannis Polykandriotis well known musician from Athens and created the first authentic Rebetiko music club in London.

He gave a lecture–performance at South Thames College, Wandsworth, the theme of which was the " lute as a folk instrument " and demonstrated Greek folk music on the laouto, bouzouki, baglama.
Currently Theodore gives seminars with Yiannis Polykandriotis to the schools of the Greek community of London, with the theme " The Bouzouki " its history, evolution, methods and styles of playing adopted by old and new players alike and the construction of instruments of the lute family. Theodore also appears on London Greek Radio, and talks about the history and evolution of the Laouto and bouzouki, in Greece, from antiquity to present day.For the future Theodore is aiming to teach, and promote his skills of musical instrument making and woodwork to the community and schools. He is also preparing a fully illustrated book on the construction of Greek folk instruments of the lute family, the santouri, kanonaki etc, followed by an exhibition of his works.
Is available for talks, demonstrations, courses, etc., on the subject of Greek folklore Art, Music and instruments.

Theodore Kanellos
16 Park Avenue
Hounslow   Tel : 02088941970
Middx  Tw 3 2Lz
Email :  kanellos.ita@ virgin.net