a 7-day summer camp for lyre players
International Lyre School 2025
A 7-day summer camp for lyre players, full of face-to-face lessons and hands-on experiences, a deep dive into the world of the lyre and ancient Greek music.
Meet in person and have meaningful interactions with the forefront of lyre innovation today: virtuoso players, lyre instructors, scholars, senior luthiers, filmmakers, et cetera. All this while experiencing the unparalleled Greek summer and hospitality.
(limited availability)
what to expect?
Experience Lyre in Full
an immersive learning experience
Last year's Lyre Summer School was a blast for students and tutors alike. Participants from all over the world gathered in Greece for seven days full of music, lessons, one-on-one sessions, ancient Greek music theory, and philosophy, along with late-afternoon meaningful discussions, changing their lives both as lyre players and as human beings.
Our students' feedback was sky-high positive, topped up with valuable thoughts for meaningful improvements for the years to come! Thanks to them, the 2025 Lyre Summer School will be an even better experience.*
* Check out some of the improvements we plan to incorporate in the 2025 summer school based on our students' feedback at the end of this page.
(limited availability)
In 7 days we will unlock together
the lyre player you already are.
Let's celebrate the impressive worldwide rebirth of the ancient Greek lyre by hosting a highly esteemed International Lyre School on the island of Aegina, just outside of Athens. A summer school created based on our love for a God-given instrument, the Lyre herself, and our belief that learning can and should be a communal experience.
So, let’s study the ancient musical heritage and practice the lyre together, face-to-face, at a beautiful 19th-century mansion on one of Greece’s most famous islands since antiquity.
Explore and discover the ancient lyre in depth with the guidance of virtuoso lyre players and academics, experience behind-the-scenes filming sessions with the SEIKILO Ancient World Music Channel team, meet and discuss with experienced lyre luthiers, stay and dine together with fellow lyre players from all over the world.
At the same time, you will have the chance to meditate daily with the lyre, share thoughts, and participate in discussions about ancient Greek philosophy and everyday life, all the while relishing the world-renowned Greek summer.
fast-forward your lyre learning
A Life-Changing Experience
All the tutors were exceptionally good and welcoming! Attending this camp was crucial in propelling my progress forward.
This experience was crucial to becoming a better player. I learned things I needed to correct and improve my playing and handling of the lyre. But more than that, I feel like a more rounded person with a keener eye and ear. The fact that the lyre camp was international also provided a unique perspective from others.
This experience was deeply meaningful to me and has taken my playing to the next level. It really built up my confidence and showed me the unlimited creative possibilities of a musician.
The lyre camp helped me start from where I was, have fun, and try new things. It took place in a beautiful paradise. It was very useful to see different approaches from different tutors. It was an amazing success!
Thank you for creating a camp for us! I struggled with going beyond just knowing how to play existing songs and following the lessons. Now I feel I have a better foundation for becoming a true lyre player and musician.
The lyre camp helped me learn new techniques, gain the confidence to play and a new perspective on the instrument, make new friends, and have a very enjoyable time.
The lyre camp helped me learn different techniques for playing and gain confidence in new approaches.
The instructors were wonderful, and the lessons were perfect. It was an amazing gathering of people; such a diverse group, yet very accepting of each other, as if we were already a family on the first day. I hope to get back next year.
I really liked the teaching styles and have learned so much: techniques, ancient philosophies, meditating with the lyre, ancient and modern music theories, and generally playing the lyre, considering I just started the lyre on the first day of the camp!
The camp was an unforgettable, truly inspiring, and heart-opening experience that has given me lots of motivation to keep playing and creating; it also made me feel supported and like I belong to a community. All teachers and the LUTHIEROS team have a true, kind-hearted family spirit and authentic and genuine care for this project and to bring good into the world through it.
The live teaching experience de-mystified many aspects of techniques that, before attending, were unknown to me. I loved how the lyre Instructors included beginners, intermediate, and advanced students in all the lessons. Beginner students get answers to questions they don’t yet know to ask.
I have wanted to play the lyre for 30 years but back then, learning opportunities did not yet exist. I am grateful for all the efforts of LUTHIEROS and SEIKILO, especially for bringing the Lyre back to Life in an age when the world can now experience the beautiful sounds and harmonies that the Ancient world enjoyed.
(limited availability)
in a nutshell
When. Where. What.
May 25 to June 1, 2025
Among the best times to visit Greece, May is definitely part of the famous Greek summer, but it is way less crowded than July or August.
Aegina Island
7days Summer School
An immersive learning experience full of lyre courses, events, socializing, books & sheet music specially designed for the school, along with accommodation, breakfast, dinner, a welcome and a farewell party!
a deep connection with the lyre
Why in Aegina Island?
Some of the most magical moments with the ancient lyre that have ever been recorded on camera took place on the mystical island of Aegina, such as ancient wisdom readings, meditation with the lyre, a live performance on the Ancient Olive Grove (hidden inside a secluded valley), and a ritual song to summon the ancient gods of wind. Watch below!
in a nutshell
Lyre Camp Highlights
Live & Study Together
for 7 days!
Lessons for Your Level
The lyre school includes daily courses for every level, including beginners, intermediate and advanced!
Access to All Courses
The lyre school is organized in such a manner that every student will be able to participate in all courses, no matter what is her or his level!
Certificate of Attendance
All the participants with get a Certificate of Attendance, based on which courses they attended (certificates for beginners, intermediate, and advanced lyre players will be available).
Make Connections
Lots of opportunities for socializing with key figures in the lyre community.
Music & Philosophy
Daily discussions around music & philosophy, and how to incorporate both in a modern lifestyle.
Hands-on Experience
See, listen to, and play with an amazing selection of ancient lyres & kithara!
Meet & Discuss
Meet and have meaningful discussions with virtuoso lyre players, beloved lyre tutors, luthiers, the SEIKILO Channel lead filmmaker, and the visionaries behind the lyre’s come-back in the 21st century.
Mediterranean diet
Experience the Mediterranean diet in a beautiful 19th-century mansion, with breakfast and early dinner daily.
Live & Study Together
for 7 days!
Certificate of Attendance
All the participants with get a Certificate of Attendance, based on which courses they attended (certificates for beginners, intermediate, and advanced lyre players will be available).
Music & Philosophy
Daily discussions around music & philosophy, and how to incorporate both in a modern lifestyle.
Lessons for Your Level
The lyre school includes daily courses for every level, including beginners, intermediate and advanced!
Make Connections
Lots of opportunities for socializing with key figures in the lyre community.
Meet & Discuss
Meet and have meaningful discussions with virtuoso lyre players, beloved lyre tutors, luthiers, the SEIKILO Channel lead filmmaker, and the visionaries behind the lyre’s come-back in the 21st century.
Access to All Courses
The lyre school is organized in such a manner that every student will be able to participate in all courses, no matter what is her or his level!
Hands-on Experience
See, listen to, and play with an amazing selection of ancient lyres & kithara!
Mediterranean diet
Experience the Mediterranean diet in a beautiful 19th-century mansion, with breakfast and early dinner daily.
(limited availability)
Where the Camp will take place?
Inside a House with a Soul
Oikia Karapanou is a beautiful 19th-century mansion that nestles in about 30 acres of ancient trees and plants, some of which are well over a hundred years old. It is only a 5min walk from the nearest beach and a 5min drive from Aegina city.
Above all, Oikia is a house with a soul; the essence of a house, surrounded by an enchanted garden. As the visionary behind Oikia, Christina Chorafa, states "Nothing here is formal, nothing is standardized. We are not a hotel, nor a seminar factory. Oikia is a real house. Simple, spacious, poetic, refined. A place where guests often tell us that they feel as if they have finally arrived home."
Oikia (pronounced ee-kee-ah), means "residence" in greek and is at the root of such words as ecosystem, ecology.
_Click here to find out more about Oikia Karapanou and its unique history.
_Important: If you are looking for hotel-like accommodation (with more amenities, such as air conditioning and a private bathroom), there are plenty of options on Aegina Island. After your registration, get in touch so we can share some options within walking distance of Oikia!
the αncient lyre echoes throughout the house
Ancient World Music & Oikia
Oikia has always been a welcoming place for the ancient lyre, and even from our first visit, magical things started to happen and never ended. We feel that this is the right place to be, as the soothing sounds of the lyre still echo through its corridors, even when we are not there to hear. Watch below some of the amazing moments that were caught on camera.
There is no benefit when music stands
secret and hidden.
— Lucian —
who will be there to guide you
Meet Your Instructors
Teaching: Virtuoso Techniques
Theodore Koumartzis is one of the very few virtuoso lyre players worldwide, with numerous live performances around the world (Germany, Canada, Singapore, etc.). He has collaborated with well-known contemporary artists, and his music has been featured on the SEIKILO Ancient World Music Channel. He is also the Curator of the SEIKILO Museum and its award-winning experiences for schools and individuals.
Teaching: History & Future of the Lyre
Nikolaos Koumartzis, D.Phil., is the visionary behind cultural endeavors with international recognition, including LUTHIEROS, SEIKILO Ancient World Music Channel, LyreAcademy, and SEIKILO Museum of Ancient Music.
He is currently the Art Director and main filmmaker of the SEIKILO YouTube Channel and the head of publishing for a unique series of sheet music and learning books specially designed for the ancient lyre.
Teaching: Lyre & Music Theory
Lina Palera is a world-renowned lyre player and a certified music instructor with teaching experience at music schools in the UK, Greece, and abroad, working both with adults and children. She has also performed in numerous places, festivals, conferences, music halls, etc.
What's more, she is the main instructor at the Lyre Academy and a beloved lyre tutor.
Teaching: Lyre & Philosophy
Know thyself played a central role in all ancient philosophies as a path of simplicity and a blueprint for living closer to nature. Inspired by this, Maria Sarigiannidou, a certified meditation and Yoga instructor with more than a decade of experience, weaves contemporary meditations accompanied by the soothing sound of the ancient lyre.
Guest Speaker: How to Keep Your Lyre Forever
Anastasios Koumartzis is a self-taught musician and a modern-day Daedalus. For many decades, the art of lutherie has been his primary passion, and he combines his inner talent for everyday inventions with his love for music. He is also a celebrated author of DIY books about the art of lutherie, sharing his experience with amateur luthiers.
For the last decade, he has handcrafted hundreds of ancient lyres for professional and amateur musicians worldwide, making him one of the world's most experienced ancient musical instrument luthiers.
Teaching: Lyre
Thanasis Kleopas is an ancient lyre and guitar player with many performances worldwide, including Thailand, Japan, India, France, Italy, Germany, and Switzerland.
He combines traditional music with the ancient lyre and tries to produce emotion-provoking music. He performed in churches, schools with kids with special needs, museums, and even fashion shows such as the Dolce & Gabbana summer show in Milan.
Guest Speaker: Healing Music in ancient Greece & Modern Applications
Dr. Athanasios Dritsas, MD, FESC, is a cardiologist and the deputy director at Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center in Athens. He is also a composer and writer and a member of the International Association of Music and Medicine (IAMM). The Academy of Athens has awarded him for his scientific work concerning the application of music in the treatment of cardiac patients.
(bonus & extras)
During the lyre summer school, we are trying to bring at least one more key figure of the worldwide lyre scene for a bonus lecture, workshop, or live performance. It all depends on their schedule, as many of them travel a lot around the world serving the ancient lyre in a meaningful way.
7 days full of events
Schedule/Program
(this is a preliminary schedule & changes will be made)
Sunday
May 25
| 19:00 |
Welcome Party accompanied by wine, ancient-inspired finger food, and, of course, the lyre.
All Days
May 25 to June 1
'| 08:15 -9:00 |
Lyre & Philosophy in the Ancient World: We start our day with the soothing waking sound of the lyre and small shots of ancient wisdom.
| 09:00 - 09:45 |
Breakfast with an ancient twist: Curated food choices inspired by the ancient Greek lifestyle.
| 16:00 - 19:00 |
1-on-1 sessions (upon reservation) for those who want to tackle specific subjects with our tutors.
| 19:00 - 21:00 |
Dinner with an ancient twist: Curated food choices inspired by the ancient Greek lifestyle.
| After 21:00 |
Late-Night Discussions/Lyre Jams: Our nights together will be a well-balanced mix of friendly discussions/seminars and opportunities for jamming with lyre players and other musicians.
This year's seminars will include:
a. Healing Music with the Lyre in Ancient Greece & Modern Applications
b. How to Enhance Yours & Others' Lives with the Lyre: Live performances, storytelling, healing sessions (group discussion with tutors and students)
c. How to Keep Your Lyre Forever: Tips & Insights from a Master Luthier
d. Rediscover Folk Music Using Your Lyre: Dig Deep into your Country's Folk Music to Enhance your Lyre Repertoire
e. What It Means to Be a Lyre-Player? The Importance of Learning the Lyre for Heroes, Philosophers, and Gods in Ancient Greece
Monday
May 26
Evoking Emotions
with the Lyre
| 10:00 - 10:30 (All) |
Discover the Ancient Greek Philosophers' Ethos Theory on How to Evoke Specific Feelings by Changing the Tuning of your Lyre (theory)
| 10:30 - 11:15 (Beginners) |
How to Perfectly Tune Your Lyre in the 3 Basic Ancient Modes (theory + practice)
| 11:30 - 12:15 (Intermediate) |
Explore all the Ancient Greek Modes and How to Choose the Right One (theory + practice)
| 12:30 - 13:15 (Advanced) |
Plato’s Greatest Fear: How to Change your Mode without Changing the Tuning of the Lyre (using hroes and sharp-pressing techniques) (theory + practice)
Tuesday
May 27
Playing Techniques
& the Lyre
| 10:00 - 10:30 (All) |
Explore All the 10 Must-Have Techniques on the Lyre (theory)
| 10:30 - 11:15 (Beginners) |
Finger-playing, Two-handed playing, Fingers & Plectrum playing (theory + practice)
| 11:30 - 12:15 (Intermediate) |
Chords, Muting chords, and Harmonics on the 1st position (theory + practice)
| 12:30 - 13:15 (Advanced) |
Advanced Muting chords, Harmonics on all positions, and Hroes Technique (theory + practice)
Wednesday
May 28
Healing and Passion
with the Lyre
| 10:00 - 10:30 (All) |
How to Use Rhythm to Soothe and Excite an Audience (theory)
| 10:30 - 11:15 (Beginners) |
Discover the Basic Rhythmic Values (theory + practice)
| 11:30 - 12:15 (Intermediate) |
Learn and Apply the Must-Have Rhythms on the Lyre (theory + practice)
| 12:30 - 13:15 (Advanced) |
From Complicated Rhythms to Rhythmic Illusions on the Lyre (theory + practice)
Thursday
May 29
Excellence as a Habit: Daily Practice Routines
The Importance of Everyday Lyre Practice According to Ancient Greek Philosophers (theory)
| 10:30 - 11:15 (Beginners) |
How to Make Lyre Practice an Everyday Habit (theory + practice)
| 11:30 - 12:15 (Intermediate) |
Practice for the Next Level: How to Gently Push Yourself Outside Your Comfort Zone (theory + practice)
| 12:30 - 13:15 (Advanced) |
Lyre Practice for the Virtuoso: Mastering Lyre Playing, Technique by Technique (theory + practice)
Friday
May 30
Ancient Greek Music
& Aristoxenus’ Theory
Reconstructing Ancient Greek Music Today: the Work of Aristoxenus (theory)
| 10:30 - 11:15 (Beginners) |
Discover the Ancient Greek Diatonic Tetrachord (theory + practice)
| 11:30 - 12:15 (Intermediate) |
Exploring the Tetrachords & the Ancient Music Genera (theory + practice)
| 12:30 - 13:15 (Advanced) |
Discovering the Ancient Perfect Major and Minor Scales (theory + practice)
Saturday
May 31
Full Practice Day
for the Final Concert
Preparing Yourself for a Live Performance Using Ancient Wisdom and Practical Tips (theory)
| 10:30 - 11:15 (Beginners) |
Focusing on the Evening Live Concert (practice)
| 11:30 - 12:15 (Intermediate) |
Focusing on the Evening Live Concert (practice)
| 12:30 - 13:15 (Advanced) |
Focusing on the Evening Live Concert (practice)
| 19:00 |
Live Concert with Lina Palera, Theodore Koumartzis, Thanasis Kleopas, and all the students.
| 20:00 - 22:00 |
Farewell Party with a group Dinner filled with Music, Wine, Memories, and Discussions about our Personal Lyre Resolutions for the next year.
Sunday
June 1
Farewell
| 09:00 - 10:30 |
Final Breakfast Together. We will bid you farewell with a small gift to take back home.
Limited early-bird registration
Book Your Place Today
Full Package incl. Registration + Accommodation
1990 Є (regular price)
One-Person Registration
1490 Є (regular price)
(Early Bird) Full Package incl. Registration + Accommodation
1790 Є (early-bird price)
(Early Bird) One-Person Registration
1290 Є (early-bird price)
Important Notes
Due to high demand and limited availability, few spots are available, and even fewer early-bird registration options. Early-bird options will be active until September 15, 2024, or until they are all booked. Be aware of the cancellation policy before registering by reading below.
Improvements & What to Expect if You are a Returning Student?
The first-year lyre camp students have played a crucial role in shaping the 2025 summer camp. They shared with us meaningful insights on how to enhance an already incredible experience. Below are some of the things that will be tackled to improve your learning experience further!
- Returning students: For all our returning participants, the 2025 lyre summer camp will dive deeper into intermediate and advanced lyre playing, both in theory and practice! No matter your level, you will have the chance to listen to advanced theory and see in practice how advanced lyre players can further improve their playing. In each class, our lyre tutors will focus on and prioritize questions by students with the appropriate (each time) level!
- Be Inspired by More Late-Night Discussions: We saw how much you enjoyed last year's discussions, so we plan to host more in-depth seminars with key figures of the worldwide lyre community.
- A significant change for next year's lyre summer camp: There will be distinct beginner, intermediate, and advanced courses daily. All the students can attend all classes, but the lyre tutors will focus—with the appropriate theory and practice—and answer questions only related to each level of lyre-playing! By doing so, all the beginner students will still have the option to get answers to questions they never thought to ask in the first place, but also, more advanced students will be able to dive deeper into the lyre-playing.
- For those staying at Oikia Karapanou—experiencing an amazing communal leaving—2025 lyre summer will offer a little bit more privacy! To achieve that, we will host 30% fewer people at Oikia.
- We cannot control the heat, but we can increase the possibility of cooler weather. The 2025 Lyre Summer Camp will take place in May (just at the very beginning of the legendary Greek summer)!
- For breakfast, we will have more options and volume, while for the early dinners, we will top up the volume and add fruits and desserts every night. We will also add a sandwich and a fruit to take with you after the morning lessons, just before heading to the beach (or staying at Oikia to practice alone).
- For 2025, we will book the yurt (the big tent) for more space for the one-on-one sessions and practicing during the day!
Cancelation and Refunds Policy (read before registration)
The International Lyre School 2025 has limited spots available for lyre students. Participants will travel to Greece from all over the world and have to plan their trip quite ahead. Therefore, we acknowledge that time is crucial.
In this regard, we urge you to be 100% sure before registering for the International Lyre School 2025. In the unfortunate event that you have to cancel your registration later on, immediately contact the LyreAcademy team (info@lyreacademy.com) to re-open your spot quickly for your fellow lyre students.
Attention! There are two different cancellation policies for registration options.
Regular registration options (with no discount)
Read below the cancellation policy for all the students registered with one of our regular registration options:
- Cancellation before December 1, 2024: The full amount of the registration cost, minus 10%, which includes bank fees and administrative costs, will be refunded.
- Cancellation between December 2, 2024, and March 1, 2025: 60% of the registration cost, minus 10%, which includes bank fees and administrative costs, will be refunded.
- Cancellation on or after March 2, 2025: No refund will be available.
Early-bird registration options
For all the students registered using one of our early-bird options, there will be no refund in the classical sense. Instead, the amount paid for your Early-Bird or Regular registration will be fully or partially transferred to your Student ID in LyreAcademy.com to use as you wish in your future studies (by enrolling in new courses, course bundles, masterclasses, or paying for additional months of studies).
Therefore, there will be no financial loss for the lyre students who will register and later cancel their participation.
More specifically:
- Cancellation before December 1, 2024: The full amount of the registration cost, minus 10% that includes bank fees and administrative costs, will be transferred to your Student ID in the LyreAcademy online platform.
- Cancellation between December 2, 2024, and March 1, 2025: 60% of the registration cost, minus 10% that includes bank fees and administrative costs, will be transferred to your Student ID in the LyreAcademy online platform.
- Cancellation on or after March 2, 2025: No refund will be available.
If you need further clarifications for the International Lyre School 2025, contact the LyreAcademy team before registering.
If you want to cancel your participation, email us at info@lyreacademy.com, and we will guide you through the process.
International Lyre Summer School
What is Included?
What is Included?
- (Full Package Only) Seven days of accommodation in the unique Oikia Karapanou.
- Access to all courses regardless of the student’s level, i.e., beginners, intermediate, advanced (3 classes each day).
- Sheet Music designed for the lyre and this lyre school specifically!
- Lyre Meditation sessions every morning.
- Welcome Party on the first day.
- Special sessions with guest lecturers.
- Farewell Party & Live Concert with student participation.
- Access to SEIKILO Ancient Music Exhibition with the unique opportunity to see, listen to and play with a curated selection of premium ancient musical instruments.
Not Included in the Price
- 1-on-1 sessions are available upon request (limited time slots). Send us an email to learn more about the cost and to book your sessions with your preferable virtuoso lyre players.
- Rent a lyre or a kithara for the entire summer camp, in case you don't want to travel with your instrument or you just want to try something new. Send us an email to find out more.
- Meals are not included. An All-Meals option will be announced later for the participants, including breakfast, light takeaway/takeout lunch, and early dinner based on the famed Mediterranean cuisine with an ancient Greek twist! All participants (whether they stay or not at Oikia) will be eligible to opt-in to the "All-Meals" package once it is announced!</li>
- Air tickets to and from Athens.
- Transportation to Aegina Island and Oikia Karapanou (detailed guidelines will be provided upon request).
- Everything else that is not explicitly stated in the description.
(limited availability)