Theofilos Sotiriadis

He was born in Thessaloniki and is a graduate of the Psychology department of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He was introduced to music at a young age, initially studying classical guitar (under the guidance of Mr. Stavros Sourgeunis) while then "wandering" as a rock bassist in various amateur ensembles in his city. However, the saxophone was to be the center of his musical studies and professional interests.

He graduated as a graduate (with honors) from the State Conservatory of Thessaloniki (class of Mr. Vasilis Vradeli) and then, as a scholarship holder of the State Scholarship Foundation (I.K.Y) from the École Nationale de Musique de Créteil in Paris (class of Georges Porte , first prize and special mention for the interpretation of a work of contemporary music). He also won prizes at the Picardie and Leopold Bellan European music competitions.

He has given numerous recitals in Europe, America and Ukraine including official participation in international festivals such as LSU International Mini Festival of Art (USA), BGSU 27th New Music Festival (USA), XIX Festival Forfest Czech Republic (Czech Republic), ElectroMediaWorks 2008 (Athens) and XIII & XIV World Saxophone Congress (Minneapolis-USA, Ljubljana-Slovenia). He has also collaborated as a soloist with the famous French ensemble Quintette de Saxophones de Paris, the Louisiana Sinfonietta (USA), the Neuchâtel Chamber Orchestra (Switzerland) and the State Orchestra of Thessaloniki.

Distinguished Greek composers have dedicated their works in his honor, which he presented in first performances (over thirty). Fruits of his interest in modern Greek music are the release of the two recent digital discs "Recollections" and "Theofilos & friends. Music for saxophone by Dinos Constantinides" as well as the cataloging of all works for saxophone in the Greek music repertoire. However, he has also recorded works by up-and-coming American composers for Newtertian Recordings and Magni Publications.

He is the creator of many active ensembles: "Macedonian Saxophone Quartet", "Adolfo Sax's Kitarophon" (saxophone-guitar), "Aegeas Duo" (saxophone-piano), while together with the dancer Ariadni Mikou they promote premieres of works for saxophone and dance. Theofilos Sotiriadis was a founding member of the Saxophone Association of Greece and artistic director of the Panhellenic Saxophone Festival.

His many years of teaching experience and his passion for teaching (University of Macedonia, State Conservatory of Thessaloniki, Music School of Thessaloniki, Conservatory of Music College, Municipal Conservatory of Thermi, Vertikos International Music Seminars, Vrache International Music Days) contributed decisively to the spread and development of the saxophone in Greece. His obsession with the social and educational dimension of music is reflected in his close and long-term collaboration with the UNESCO headquarters of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and in the creation of the youth saxophone orchestra "Ku Klux Sax".

In the academic year 2006-2007 he taught at Bowling Green State University (USA) and at the same time completed his postgraduate studies in saxophone at the same university (class of Mr. John Sampen).