The International Lyre Society platform functions as a global academy, open to students of all levels from around the world who wish to discover the music and cultural heritage of ancient Greece through the authentic sound of the lyre.
Teaching is led by Dr. Nikos Xanthoulis himself, alongside graduates who have received their Diploma in Lyre Performance from the Municipal Conservatory of Nikaia.
“This is not just a music school – it is the revival of a cultural voice that had been silent for centuries,” says Dr. Xanthoulis. “We now invite the world to listen – and to learn.”
The platform will offer:
– Online courses based on the Xanthoulis Method, structured in four levels:
a. Free (available to all registered users)
b. Basic
c. Intermediate
d. Advanced
– Interactive seminars and private lessons in lyre playing, singing, and philosophy.
– Opportunities to participate in concerts.
– Certification and Diploma in Lyre Performance
– The creation of a global community of lyre students and professionals.
Meet the Instructors
At the heart of the Lyre Academy is a distinguished team of scholars, performers, and dedicated educators, each committed to the revival and transmission of the ancient Greek seven-stringed lyre. With deep expertise in historical performance practice, musicology, and technique, our professors and tutors guide students on a journey that bridges antiquity with the present. Through their knowledge, passion, and mentorship, they illuminate the path for a new generation of lyre players.
The Academy’s teaching team consists of:
- Nikos Xanthoulis, Ph.D. (Lyre, Ancient Greek Music, The Lyre in the modern world)
- Evangelia Kopsalidou, Ph.D. (Lyre, Education)
- Nicolo Manicardi, Ph.D. (Lyre Instruction)
- Antonis Kapetanakis, Ph.D. (Music and Philosophy)
- Sophia Karakouta, M.A. (Vocal Instruction)
- Giorgos Tabakis (Lyre Instruction)
- Sonia Charalambidou (Lyre Instruction)
The International Lyre Society welcomes musicians, educators, researchers, and cultural enthusiasts to take part in this unique global effort of revival.
More information regarding the educational programs
will be announced soon.
At the moment you can register only to the Free level.
We invite you to participate in a unique educational opportunity to explore the music of classical antiquity through the Ancient Greek Seven-Stringed Lyre.
Upon registration, participants will receive access to a curated selection of free learning materials.
Whether you are beginning your journey or expanding your knowledge, this Academy is designed to provide both musical and scholarly value.
Registration is open to all.
Begin your journey into the world of Apollo’s Lyre today.
Lyre Techniques
The instructional material presented by the International Lyre Society has been developed by Dr. Nikos Xanthoulis, composer, musicologist, soloist and specialist in ancient Greek music, ensuring a rigorous, historically informed and approach to the techniques of the seven-stringed lyre.
Cultural Insights
Scholarly explorations into the cultural, philosophical, and ritual contexts in which the ancient Lyre functioned. Our courses provide critical perspectives on the instrument’s role in ancient Greek society, its symbolic significance, and its enduring legacy.
Learning Resources
A comprehensive repository of pedagogical materials designed to support the systematic study of the Lyre. These resources include annotated texts, instructional media, and guided exercises, intended for learners at all stages of proficiency.