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Mavrothi T. Kontanis was born in 1979 in Pennsylvania and currently lives in Jersey City, NJ, though his family’s origin is from Halkidiki, Greece. As a child, he showed interest in several instruments, including the clarinet, guitar, and bouzouki. However, at the age of 16 he discovered his true passion, the oud, and began lessons with his first teacher Stamatis Merzanis immediately. Since then he has studied with many other renowned masters including Münir N. Beken, Emin Gündüz, John Berberian, Kyriakos Kalaitzides, Dinçer Dalkılıc, Yurdal Tokcan, and Ara Dinkjian. In addition to playing oud, Mavrothi has become an accomplished singer and violinist, performs on baglama, tzoura, and tamboura, and also enjoys teaching and writing. Mavrothi has performed throughout the United States, Europe, and the Middle East playing traditional and classical music from all over the world, as well as original compositions of his own with various ensembles. He has been featured on several albums and the film soundtrack of “AmericanEast,” and released two albums in the Spring of 2008 that showcase the oud and diversity of sounds from the Aegean region. By combining his love for classical, urban, and folk music from Greece and the Near East, Mavrothi hopes to heighten awareness of the great beauty and freedom that exist within this unique and diverse musical tradition, especially through the Maeandros Ensemble, which he founded in 2006.
Only people who have been verified as clients by Mavrothi Kontanis can post reviews. Once verified, a client may post under his own name or anonymously.
Mavrothi is a truly wonderful musician, and a great teacher. He has been conducting a bi-monthly makam class at our house since September, which has been really enlightening. He has a profound knowledge of all that he teaches, and his musicianship...
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American Museum of Natural History (Silk Road Project)
New York, New York, USA
5/2010
Lowell Folk Music Festival
Lowell, Massachusetts, USA
8/2009
Old Town School of Folk Music
Chicago, Illinois, USA
4/2009
Notable Collaborations
Makam Theory Presentation at the Juilliard School (World Music Institute)
New York, New York, USA
10/2009
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Services Overview
Please contact me if you are interested in studying: * Oud (Technique and Music Theory)* Makam (Modal) Theory in Ottoman and Arabic Music* Composition and Taksim (Improvisation)* Traditional Repertoire of Greece and Near East* Traditional Ornamentation and ArrangementsRegardless of your previous experience, and no matter what your main instrument of choice may be, you will be able to make great strides in technique, theory, and practical application of the Makams and Repertoire we will study in our lessons. A Makam is much more than just a musical scale, and in fact is a sort of compositional template used for composing pieces and Taksim (Improvisations). There are many, many Makams, and studying Makam Theory and Practice is a great way to understand the Near Eastern Repertoire better, and also to inspire your own compositions and improvisations.While classes can be demanding at times, the progression and materials are very logical and well organized, and the lessons always move at the pace of the student, A healthy dose of review and online support between lessons are there to make sure that each student has the tools needed for real progress in all aspects of our lessons. The atmosphere is also fun and free-spirited enough to allow the student to explore their own voice, style, and approach to these very rich musical traditions.Private and group lessons are available, and prices may vary depending on class size and location. Please contact me for more information.
I offer lesssons on Baglama, as well as Bouzouki, Tzoura, and Oud.
Please contact me if you would like to improve your technique, expand your repertoire and/or explore the modes (dromous/makams) that will improve your improvisations, compositions, and understanding of the repertoire.
Lesson topics include drills and exercises for increasing speed and comfortability on the fingerboard, theory and practice in Greek music including "dromous" (modes) and "taksimi" (improvisation using dromous), chord building and practice, and building repertoire in the Rebetiko tradition.
Please contact me if you are interested in studying: <br/><br/>* Oud (Technique and Music Theory)<br/>* Makam (Modal) Theory in Ottoman and Arabic Music<br/>* Composition and Taksim (Improvisation)<br/>* Traditional Repertoire of Greece and Near East<br/>* Traditional Ornamentation and Arrangements<br/><br/>Regardless of your previous experience, and no matter what your main instrument of choice may be, you will be able to make great strides in technique, theory, and practical application of the Makams and Repertoire we will study in our lessons. Each session builds upon the previous one in a logical progression, moving at a challenging yet appropriate pace for each student.<br/><br/>A Makam is much more than just a musical scale, and in fact is a sort of compositional template used for composing pieces and Taksim (Improvisations). There are many Makams, and studying Makam Theory and Practice is a great way to understand the repertoire and inspire your own compositions and taksims.
Please contact me if you are interested in studying: <br/><br/>* Oud (Technique and Music Theory)<br/>* Makam (Modal) Theory in Ottoman and Arabic Music<br/>* Composition and Taksim (Improvisation)<br/>* Traditional Repertoire of Greece and Near East<br/>* Traditional Ornamentation and Arrangements<br/><br/>Regardless of your previous experience, and no matter what your main instrument of choice may be, you will be able to make great strides in technique, theory, and practical application of the Makams and Repertoire we will study in our lessons. Each session builds upon the previous one in a logical progression, moving at a challenging yet appropriate pace for each student.<br/><br/>A Makam is much more than just a musical scale, and in fact is a sort of compositional template used for composing pieces and Taksim (Improvisations). There are many Makams, and studying Makam Theory and Practice is a great way to understand the repertoire and inspire your own compositions and taksims.
Special Offers
Prepay for 4 Lessons - 10% off
If you prepay for a 4 lesson bundle, you receive a 10% discount.
Payments are non-refundable, but classes never expire (you do not have to take all 4 lessons within a month, for example).
Prepay for 8 Lessons - 15% off
If you prepay for an 8 lesson bundle, you receive a 15% discount.
Payments are non-refundable, but classes never expire (you do not have to take all 8 lessons within two months, for example).
Payment and Policies
Forms of Payment Accepted:
Cash, Check
Payment Policy:
Students must pay in full by the end of the lesson.
Cancellation Policy:
Must give at least 24 hour notice, or 50% more will be charged for the next lesson.
Only people who have been verified as clients by Mavrothi Kontanis can post reviews. Once verified, a client may post under his own name or anonymously.
Mavrothi is a truly wonderful musician, and a great teacher. He has been conducting a bi-monthly makam class at our house since September, which has been really enlightening. He has a profound knowledge of all that he teaches, and his musicianship is always inspiring. I give him the highest recommendation.
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