Manos Pirovolakis

Manos is a singer, songwriter, and master performer of the traditional Cretan lyra. He holds diplomas in Harmony, Counterpoint, Fugue, and is currently studying Classical Composition, while also having attended jazz improvisation seminars at Berklee College of Music, Boston.

He began his music career at 18, appearing on national TV while studying at the National Polytechnic University in Athens. In 1998, he released his debut album with the group “Kinoumena Shedia,” blending rock, pop, and Cretan music. His second album To Hamogelo Sou (2000) featured a title track that became a radio classic. In 2003, his third album Ola Gia Ola included the major hit duet with Nikos Portokaloglou, “Stis Ekklisias Tin Porta.” He has collaborated with major Greek artists including Antonis Remos (“Mpori Na Vgo”) and Eleni Tsaligopoulou (“Triantafillia Mou,” 2024).

Manos has performed internationally (Sydney, Stuttgart, Toronto, Tokyo), at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, and in prestigious venues like Thessaloniki Concert Hall. A composer in the “New Music” scene, his works include the Cretan Suite and Talos for solo lyra. Deeply devoted to the legacy of Cretan music, he actively teaches lyra to students of all ages.