About the Synchronous Conservatory of Crete
Founded in 1998 in Heraklion, the Synchronous Conservatory of Crete was established with the vision of becoming a leading center of musical education. Its mission extends beyond academic excellence - it also aims to actively contribute to the cultural life of Crete through concerts, competitions, seminars, lectures, and other major events.
Leadership & Faculty
The Conservatory’s first director was Theodore Antoniou - renowned composer and member of the Academy of Athens - who led the institution from its founding until 2010. Since then, the directorship has been held by Ioannis Lygerakis, composer and distinguished professor of Music Theory and Classical Guitar.
Faculty members are selected through rigorous criteria, combining academic excellence with extensive teaching and artistic experience. To ensure the highest educational standards, the Conservatory collaborates with world-renowned musicians such as:
- Evangelos Assimakopoulos (guitarist, of the Evangelos & Liza duo)
- Nelly Semitecolo (distinguished pianist)
Academic Departments
The Synchronous Conservatory of Crete offers a wide range of programs across multiple music disciplines:
Classical Music Department
Including instruction in:
- Composition
- Harmony, Counterpoint, Fugue
- Piano
- Classical
- Guitar
- Strings, Winds, Percussion
- Lied (Art Song) and more
Modern Music Department
Covering:
- Drums
- Electric & Acoustic Guitar
- Modern Vocal Performance
- Keyboards, Accordion, and more
School of Byzantine Music
Department of Popular & Traditional Greek Music
Including instruments such as:
- Cretan Lyra, Laouto, Mandolin
- Bouzouki
- Traditional percussion instruments: Toubeleki, Daouli, Bendir, etc.
Early Childhood Music Education
For children aged 5- 7, introducing them to the world of music through age-appropriate activities and musical exploration.
University Entrance Preparation
Specialized courses preparing students for entrance exams to Greek University Music Departments, focusing on:
- Harmony
- Aural & Musical Perception (Musical Acoustic Skills)
Facilities
The Conservatory is located at:
📍 11 Geronimaki Street, Heraklion 71306
📞 Tel.: 2810 222221, 2810 242474
Its building has been fully renovated to meet the specifications of a modern music education facility, featuring:
- Fully equipped teaching rooms
- A performance hall
- Comfortable waiting areas
- Complete safety systems (climate control, fire safety, emergency exits)
Cultural Contributions & Events
Over the past 27 years, the Conservatory has hosted numerous concerts, masterclasses, and seminars with distinguished musicians such as: Theodore Antoniou, Janis Vakarelis, Evangelos Assimakopoulos, Liza Zoe, Nelly Semitecolo, Spyros Sakkas, Kostis Gaitanos, Thanasis Pavlou Manolis Vrontinos, Vasiliki Leontari, Petter Svensson, Virginia Amariotaki, Panagiotis Adam, Alexia Mouza, Notis Mavroudis, and many more.
International Guitar Competition of Archanes (2000–2005)
In collaboration with the Municipality of Archanes, the Conservatory organized the International Guitar Competition of Archanes, one of the most prestigious music competitions in Greece.
The event was structured as a multi-day festival and featured:
- Performances by internationally acclaimed artists such as: Manuel Barrueco, Leonidas Kavakos, Roberto Aussel, Lucas Foss, George Kouroupos, Spyros Sakkas, Evangelos Assimakopoulos, Liza Zoe, Costas Cotsiolis, Giorgos Demertzis
- Collaborations with major Greek orchestras:
- Camerata – Orchestra of the Friends of Music (conducted by Alexandros Myrat)
- Orchestra of Colours (conducted by Miltos Logiadis)
The Synchronous Conservatory of Crete continues to uphold its commitment to excellence in music education and cultural outreach, nurturing the next generation of musicians while enriching the artistic landscape of Crete and beyond.