Originally from Snape, Suffolk, Yannis completed his studies at Leeds College of Music obtaining a BA (Hons) in Classical Music, specialising in Clarinet and Conducting.

 

A keen exponent of British classical music of the 20th century, Yannis regularly performs music by eminent composers of these isles both in recital and on the podium. Yannis returned to Snape in 2013 to shadow Robin Ticciati in a residency with the Britten-Pears Orchestra, with a programme of Bruckner Symphony No. 4 and Britten’s eminent Symphony for Cello and Orchestra with Miklós Peréyni.

 

Whilst at University, Yannis formed the LCoMSU Camerata. Following the success of their inaugural concert in November 2014 with Bach’s Magnificat, Yannis conducted the Camerata at Leeds Cathedral with a programme including Schubert and Beethoven and the Mozart Bassoon Concerto with Laurence Mason.

 

Yannis is currently Musical Director of the newly founded Orchestra of Leeds Cathedral (OLC). Formed by graduates in the summer of 2015, it serves as a professional orchestra working alongside the choirs within the Diocese of Leeds and beyond. Performances have included; Fauré Requiem and Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater with the Choirs of the Cathedral, Schubert Mass in G and Vivaldi Gloria with the Cantabile Chamber Choir in Roundhay and a concert of English String Music in December 2015.

 

Beyond the podium, Yannis regularly conducts in studio recordings for new chamber and orchestral works. Recent recordings have included an extended project of new music for wind ensemble and Concerto for Bass Oboe, commissioned as part of an album showcasing the instrument, directed by oboist and friend Michael Sluman.

 

During his time at the college, Yannis performed regularly in the Chamber and Community Symphony Orchestras in The Venue and Leeds Town Hall as well as playing E-flat and Bass Clarinets for the Symphonic Wind Orchestra. External engagements included seats with the Airedale Symphony Orchestra, Elmet Sinfonietta and Leeds Youth Opera. Yannis was fortunate enough to be the recipient of the Owen-Morley Award for Woodwind Excellence in 2013.

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In 2016 Yanni became assistant MD to Ben Crick with the White Rose Orchestra for a concert with leading International piano star Harry Nowakowski Fox and after the concert Yanni became the White Rose Orchestras first professional MD, a post he still holds.

 

In 2017 Yanni was also appointed as assistant Musical Director for a UK tour by leading Soprano Leslie Garrett, the tour was a huge success.