The highly acclaimed classical guitarist destined for stardom on the international concert platform.
Described by Julian Bream as a ‘very exciting’ performer, Dimitris Dekavallas has always been considered one of the most talented guitarists of his age. He was born in Athens in 1982 and began learning the guitar at the age of 6. First taught at the National Conservatory of Athens, Dimitris continued his studies at the Hellenic Conservatory of Athens and graduated from there in 2002 with 1st Prize, achieving the highest mark. In 2005 he started his 1st year of a Postgraduate Degree at the Royal Academy of Music under Micheal Lewin, Timothy Walker and John Mills, where he won the TEBUTT EXIBITION Scholarship. Dimitris continues his studies at the Royal Academy winning 1st Prize in the IKY NATIONAL Scholarship Foundation in Greece in 2004. In 2007 he received his Diploma of Postgraduate Performance (Distinction) in guitar and his L.R.A.M. Teaching Diploma (Distinction). The R.A.M. awarded him with the ‘Blyth Watson Prize’ at his graduation.
Dimitris gave his first public performance when he was 9 years old at the National Concert Hall of Athens. His prowess since has led to concert tours throughout Greece.. He has also given solo performances in Athens, Thessaloniki, Veria, Volos, Crete, Larissa, Ioannina, Syros and Lamia. His reputation as a leading classical guitarist is now well established in the UK with recently recitals at City and Guilds, London; ‘Bolivar Hall International Guitar Festival’,London; The Old Malt House, Hertfordshire; The Dorset Guitar Society; Royal Academy of Music, London; St Martin’s in the Field ,London;, Sheffield Cathedral; and St Paul’s Covent Garden. Masterclasses appearances include with John Williams, Sir Peter Maxwell-Davies and Sir Richard Rodney Bennett.
Dimitris Dekavallas is a renowned international prize winner. He has taken part in the ‘International Festival of Volos for Classical Guitar’, ‘International Festival of Hermoupolis for Guitar’, and ‘Veria National Festival for Guitar’. Dimitris won:
· 1st prize in the ‘National Guitar Competition: ODE TO GUITAR’.
· In 2000 2nd prize in the ‘Halkida National Guitar Competition’.
· In 2003 1st prize in the ‘Veria National Guitar Competition’.
· In 2003 1st prize in the ‘Volos International Guitar Competition’.
· In 2005 1st prize in the ‘Ivor Mairants Guitar Award’ - London.
· In 2008 ‘Special Prize’ and ‘Audience Prize’ in Eduard Pamfil Guitar Competition –Bucharest 2008
· In 2008 ‘Recommended Artist status prize’ of ‘Philip & Dorothy Green’ Award - London
Dimitris Dekavallas currently lives in London and teaches the guitar at Heathside Preparatory School in Hampstead. Dimitris plays with a ‘G. Smallman’ guitar once owned by John Williams, now on loan from the Royal Academy. His website: www.dimitrisdekavalla.com
"Very exciting performer" Julian Bream; "Dimitris performed an extraordinary concert on a guitar once owned by John Williams. The young guitarist from Athens gave a masterly performance" Greenwood Guitar Society; "Spirited playing by Dimitis Dekavallas" Classical Guitar (on winning the Ivor Mairants Award); Dimitris filled the hall with the huge volume of sound he produced…..the standard of his playing is second to none… stunning performance" Dorset Guitar Society.
Dimitris Dekavallas commands an almost limitless repertoire for both solo guitar, orchestral concerti and ensembles, including Albeniz, Bach, Barrios, Brouwer, Domeniconi, Dowland, De Falla, Frescobaldi, Giuliani, Granados, Jose, Antonio Lauro, Morel, Mudarra, Piazzola, Pipo, Ponce, Rodrigo, Satie, Tarrega, Tedesco, Turina, Villa-Lobos, Walton.
