ASTORIA – Sounds of Cyprus is a Cypriot orchestra co-founded by Elena Chris and Peter Douskalis in New York City. The group performs the traditional music of Cyprus in varying orchestrations and styles that both consciously honor the time period of composition and period instruments while also performing with a modern approach.

Elena Chris, vocalist and front person of the group, sings the traditional songs in the Cypriot dialect of Greek, as well as in Turkish for songs that contain lyrics in both languages.

Peter Douskalis, Music Director, plays the laouto, oud, mandolin, and guitar in the group, switching between instruments as needed for the authentic and modern orchestration of the pieces. The other members of the group are Alex Tasopoulos on viola, Erikos Vlesmas on contrabass, Stavros Papadopoulos on pithkiavli and ney, and Mark Katsaounis on percussion.

The group returns to the stage Sunday, June 19, 7 PM at the Hellenic Cultural Center, 27-09 Crescent Street in Astoria. Appearing with the band for the first time will be percussionist Katsaounis. The show will also feature the guest vocalist Gizem Gokoglu, who will sing duets with Elena Chris. It is a show that demonstrates and promotes the multi and intercultural nature of Cyprus and its beautiful traditions and music. This performance will be under the auspices of the Consulate General of the Republic of Cyprus.

The band was formed in 2016 and gave its first performance in 2017. This year the group has performed live four times: a pop-up show on the Long Island City Waterfront, twice at DROM in Manhattan, and most recently at the Hellenic Cultural Center in Astoria. Their pop-up performance on the LIC Waterfront gained them recognition in Cyprus, having been covered regularly on news outlets, they were invited to ‘Paradosiaki Vradia’ on RIK1.

Video of the band performing T’ai Giorkou – the epic tale of Saint George – live at the Hellenic Cultural Center in New York City is available on YouTube:  https://bit.ly/3x4kahZ.

Loula Mou Maroula Mou – performed in Athens Square Park in New York City is also on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3acfHC2.

Elena Chris and Peter Douskalis on RIK1 Paradosiaki Vradia Television Program in Cyprus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVzn56V_-3U.

Tickets and more information available online: www.SoundsOfCyprus.com and by phone: 1-347-234-5609.