Pianist receives medal of excellence
Posted Nov 20, 2009 By EMC News
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EMC News - Stittsville resident, 10 year-old Nikolas Kouloufakos was recently awarded the Conservatory Canada Medal for excellence for achieving the highest mark (90 per cent) in the province of Ontario in the level 3 Piano Contemporary Idioms Examination. 
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Ten year-old Stittsville pianist Nikolas Kouloufakos was awarded the medal for excellence for achieving the highest mark in the province.
Kouloufakos was presented his medal at the Conservatory Canada Convocation Ceremony at Wolf Performance Hall in London, ON on Saturday, Nov. 7. Kouloufakos' piano teacher is Betty Harris of Stittsville.
The level 3 contemporary idioms examination is a rigorous test of skills demonstrating the ability to perform and improvise in the styles such as Ballad, Blues, Swing, Latin, and Rock.
In addition to playing pieces and improvising the student must be able to read a lead sheet (the student sight reads a melody line while providing the accompaniment to it) and talk about characteristics of jazz styles.
The technical requirements for this exam are more extensive then for the classical grade 3 piano examination. For example: major, minor, modal, pentatonic and blues scales must be learned as well as triads, seventh chords, and arpeggios.
In the past, Kouloufakos completed grades 1 and 2 piano using the classical syllabus receiving first class honours with distinction in that as well but he has enjoyed the switch to jazz styles for level 3 and plans to continue with this.
Kouloufakos has performed at the Kanata Music Club, at an NAC master class with Australian composer Christopher Norton and at the Contemporary Showcase in Kanata where he was invited to perform in the gala concert.
