BIO
There is nothing ‘classical’ about Renos’s attitude towards music and the guitar. Curious and always in the search for new ideas his artistic vision does not conform into the conventional mindset of the classical guitar circle. Drawn to the world of contemporary music, Renos is currently invested in performing contemporary guitar repertoire that diverges from the traditional approach of the instrument and explores new musical perspectives.
A solo guitarist and passionate performer, Renos Efstathiou is a young artist devoted to the world of the classical guitar. A musician who is defined by a curiosity for the unconventional, his distinctive approach embraces a forward thinking exploration for new musical boundaries.
Born in the small island of Cyprus, Renos has been working since the mid 1990s towards developing his craft as a classical guitarist. A pure attraction to the instrument led him to the prestigious Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London, where he completed his Master of Music in Performance in 2017, studying with Robert Brightmore. His association with the school continued as he was awarded a Guildhall Artist Fellowship for 2017-2018. Prior to this he earned a Bachelor of Music from the University of Surrey (UK) with First Class Honours and was also the proud receiver of the Humphrey Richardson Taylor Scholarship for instrumental performance. In his formative years, Renos’s classical training began at the Hellenic Conservatoire in Cyprus, where as a regular scholar he completed his Degree in Classical Guitar Performance in 2009 with excellent appraisals under the tuition of Eftychia Angeli.
Throughout the years, Renos has had the privilege to participate in masterclasses with some internationally renowned guitarists, such as David Russell, Antigoni Goni, Ricardo Gallen, Ignacio Rodes, Graham Anthony Devine, Rafael Aguirre, Thanos Mitsalas and others. He has also received coaching from Welsh composer Steve Goss and technical advice from guitar pedagogue Richard Wright.
As a performer Renos’s career has been engaged with solo recitals and ensemble appearances for a variety of different projects in Cyprus, the UK and Italy. Most recently he appeared at the Kypria International Festival as part of the ‘Acordes Guitar Ensemble’ and at the 14th International Guitar Festival in Cyprus. A winner of many prices during his academic endeavors as well as a 1st price winner of the EGTA Guitar Competition for young guitarists he remains restless and welcomes new musical ventures.