Spyridon Koliavasilis has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Heritage Award for his outstanding contributions to traditional arts, the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) announced.
The award represents Maryland’s highest recognition for individuals dedicated to preserving and promoting cultural heritage. Koliavasilis, a distinguished vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, is a passionate advocate for traditional Greek music. While his extensive repertoire spans multiple genres – including world music, Greek island music, Greek Laika, and entechno – his true devotion lies in Rebetiko and the music of Asia Minor (Smyrneika).
His recognition is a significant honor for the Greek and Greek American community in Maryland and the greater Washington, DC, metropolitan area.
Born in the Attica region of Greece, Koliavasilis has lived in Maryland for 15 years, dedicating himself to performing, teaching, and preserving traditional Greek music. His mantra, “passing and sharing the tradition,” is evident in all his work, whether on stage or in the classroom. Another guiding principle, “music unites,” underscores his belief in music’s ability to bridge cultural divides. Committed to music education and community engagement, he welcomes students of all ages and ethnic backgrounds.
Koliavasilis is the founder of the Mediterranean Notes Music School, where he has trained hundreds of students in singing, music theory, and more than 18 instruments, including the bouzouki, laouto, various types of lyra (Cappadocian, Politiki, Cretan, and Pontian), baglama, and lavta. He also specializes in restoring traditional instruments and customizing modern ones to suit individual musicians’ needs.
In August 2024, Koliavasilis was honored by the State of Maryland for the third time as a Master of Greek Traditional Music through the Master/Apprentice grant, recognizing his role as an educator and cultural preservationist.
The Heritage Award, presented as part of Maryland Traditions, highlights the state’s cultural diversity and vibrancy. This year, the Arts Council honored six individuals whose work exemplifies Maryland’s rich traditions. “This year’s Heritage Award winners demonstrate that Maryland’s cultural fabric is made up of traditions from around the corner and around the world,” said MSAC Chair Ruby Lopez Harper.
Reflecting on his role as a Greek musician in the United States, Koliavasilis said, “I try to be a cultural ambassador, a musician and artist who invites non-Greek people, shares our culture, and educates people about our heritage and music. I also collaborate with other musicians that are not part of our culture to play our music.”
He further emphasized his passion for traditional music, stating, “My mission is to be an educator and to share the music and the culture. This is why I play.”
Koliavasilis has performed at esteemed venues, including the US Library of Congress, Hill Center, Creative Cauldron Theater, universities, museums, and embassies. His recognition not only celebrates his achievements but also highlights the importance of traditional Greek music in the local community, inspiring younger generations to embrace and preserve this cultural legacy. With Rebetiko recognized as a cultural treasure under UNESCO protection, Koliavasilis exemplifies the crucial role musicians and educators play in safeguarding and revitalizing this rich heritage for future generations.
For more information about Koliavasilis, visit www.SpyrosKoliavasilisMusic.com. For details about the Maryland Heritage Award, visit https://msac.org/news/2025-heritage-award-winners.
