Michalis Kontaxakis is considered today to be one of the leading young Greek guitarists. He studied the guitar with Vassilis Mastorakis, graduated from Costas Cotsiolis's class, and also studied at the Robert Schumann Musikhochschule in Düsseldorf with Joaquín Clerch. After winning many other international prizes, in 2005 he became the first Greek musician to take first prize in the prestigious International Francisco Tárrega Guitar Competition. He now appears in solo recitals, in a duo with the noted Croatian guitarist Dejan Ivanovic, and in a variety of chamber music ensembles across Europe in major concert halls and at the most important guitar festivals. His activities also include performances with many European orchestras and regular collaboration with the Jean Piaget Institute in Lisbon, where he often gives master-classes. He lives and teaches the guitar in Athens.
