Born in 1993 in Athens, Chris Yonas is a Greek-Australian pianist and composer. From a young age, he demonstrated numerous artistic and musical talents, as well as an aptitude for Philosophy and Mathematics.
He is a graduate of the Hellenic-American Educational Foundation with an International Baccalaureate Diploma. He holds a Soloist Diploma in Piano (First Prize & Distinction) from the class of Betty Gaitanou-Barzouka, professor at the Music Horizons Conservatory.
He is also a graduate of the American College of Greece – Deree (ACG) with degrees in Bachelor of Arts (Honors) and BMus (Hons) in Music Performance. Part of his undergraduate studies were completed at the University of Melbourne in Australia, studying piano with the renowned Australian pianist Sir Stephen McIntyre. During his studies at the ACG, he studied piano with the internationally acclaimed concert pianist, Dimitri Toufexis, and was the recipient of prestigious music and academic scholarships, such as the Frances L. Rich Music Scholarship and the International Honors Scholarship, respectively. Additionally, as a distinguished member of the International Honors Program, he completed a further portion of his undergraduate studies at Stanford University in California, studying Philosophy and Mathematics.
Upon completing his studies at ACG, he graduated summa cum laude and was honored with the Deree Hood Award, the institution's highest honorary award. Furthermore, for his academic and artistic activities, as well as his interdisciplinary research, he was also awarded the Outstanding Graduate Award (Music), Artistic Achievement Award, and International Honors Award, respectively.
As a soloist, he has received multiple awards and distinctions in national piano competitions and has given recitals in Greece and abroad. In Greece, he has received first prizes in the 3rd Panhellenic UNESCO Competition and the 30th Χ.O.N. Competition, as well as the second prize in the 6th Panhellenic Competition of the Municipal Conservatory of Larissa and the third prize in the 1st National Dionysia Trust Piano Competition. He has participated in festivals including the Piandemonium Piano Festival and the Athens Piano City Festival. In Greece, he has appeared at venues such as the Athens Concert Hall, the Alternative Stage of the Greek National Opera, the Michalis Kakogiannis Foundation, and the Cultural Foundation of Tinos. Furthermore, he has also given performances at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg, Austria, the Victoria College of Arts and the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music in Melbourne, as well as on the island of Gotland in Sweden.
He has actively participated in various piano masterclasses in Greece and abroad with eminent pianists including Olga Kern, Andrzej Jasiński, Leonel Morales, Stephen McIntyre, Max Cooke, Dimitri Toufexis, Konstantinos Papadakis, and Daniel Blumenthal.
In the field of composition, he has studied with the acclaimed pianist and composer Sami-Vasileios Amiris, with whom he completed his Honors Thesis on algorithmic composition techniques using microtonal systems. He is a graduate of the Contemporary Music Performance and Composition Workshop (CMPCW), having completed a three-year cycle of studies in tonal music theory and the history and compositional thought of the 20th and 21st centuries studying under Dr. Alexandros Kalogeras (Ph.D. Harvard University), professor at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Furthermore, as a member since 2016, he regularly participates in CMPCW organized events in Athens as well as in the International Musical Meetings Festival in Naxos and the Musa Hellenica Festival in Chios.
His compositional work includes pieces for piano, solo instruments, musical ensembles, as well as electronic and algorithmic music. Finally, since 2023, he is a founding member of the experimental music ensemble, Frall, which reflects his keen interest towards experimentation in music creation.
Chris Yonas's musical journey is deeply intertwined with the works of renowned composers such as Sergei Rachmaninov, Alexander Scriabin, Franz Liszt and Frederic Chopin. These composers serve as major focal points in his repertoire, guiding his artistic exploration and shaping his musical identity. With Rachmaninov, Chris delves into the richly expressive and virtuosic world of the Russian Romantic tradition. His interpretations of Rachmaninov's compositions, including the iconic Piano Concerto No. 2 and the majestic Piano Concerto No. 3, are marked by their emotive depth and technical brilliance. Through these masterpieces, Chris showcases his ability to convey the profound emotional landscapes and lyrical melodies that define Rachmaninov's music. In particular, Chris's affinity for Rachmaninov's two piano concertos stands as a testament to his dedication to the repertoire.
In addition to Rachmaninov, Chris embraces the mystical and innovative works of Alexander Scriabin. Scriabin's compositions, characterized by their harmonic complexity and spiritual intensity, offer a unique canvas for Chris to explore sonic textures and spiritual themes. Through his performances of Scriabin's piano sonatas and etudes, Chris invites listeners on a transcendent journey, where music becomes a gateway to the realm of the sublime.
Furthermore, Chris's repertoire includes the poetic and nuanced compositions of Frédéric Chopin. Chopin's works, with their delicate phrasing and profound lyricism, hold a special place in Chris's heart especially so for Ballade No. 4. Download Current Repertoire
Chris Yonas's recordings showcase meticulous craftsmanship, intertwining rich harmonies and emotive melodies to evoke profound emotional experiences. His interpretations are characterized by their introspective lyricism and unique sense of timing and flow.
Chris Yonas's compositional output ranges from the tonal idiom to electronic music, algorithmic and computer generated music. Nevertheless, he adores exploring his personal romantic musical idiom strongly influenced by the music of Liszt, Wagner, Chopin, Scriabin and Rachamaninov.
Email: christosyonas@gmail.com
Phone: +30 6977669595
