Kapsetaki duo

Marianna and Stephanie Kapsetaki
Native name	Μαριάννα and Στεφανία Καψετάκη
Born	14 April 1991 Heraklion, Crete
Nationality	Greek/British
Occupation	Concert pianists and scientists
Website	www.kapsetakisduo.com

The twin sisters Marianna and Stephanie Kapsetaki (Greek: Μαριάννα and Στεφανία Καψετάκη; born 14 April 1991 in Heraklion, Crete) are Greek/British concert pianists and scientists.

Music

Their musical studies began at 9 years old. They studied at the Minoan Conservatory of Music in Heraklion where they received the Diploma in Theory of Music, Diploma of Piano Performance with highest honours, distinction and 1st prize at the age of 17 with teachers Kallia Anastasaki and Dimitris Toufexis and at the Music School of Heraklion where they graduated with the highest grades.^[1] They have been taught by Yonty Solomon, Martino Tirimo, Radoslav Kvapil, Philip Fowke, Philippe Cassard, Bernard Roberts, Eugen Indjic, Peter Donohοe, Vladimir Tropp, Graham Caskie, Joanna MacGregor, Bryce Morrison, Anton Kuerti and are currently studying in London with Christopher Elton.

Performances

They perform solo, four hands and two piano recitals at major venues and international music festivals in Europe,^[2][3][4][5] appearing with major ensembles including the Pancretan Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Heraklion Music School Orchestra and the Athens City Symphony Orchestra.^[6] They have represented Crete on commemorative occasions and enjoy regular invitations from radio and television where their recordings are played.^[7][8] Their appearances include recitals at: Cheltenham Town Hall, St George's (Bristol), Hellenic Cultural Centre (London), Sir Edward Elgar Museum, the Bristol,^[9] Chelmsford and Gloucester Cathedrals, Jacqueline du Pré Music Building (Oxford), Parnassos Hall (Athens), Bellonio Cultural Centre (Santorini),^[10] Municipality Theatre of Larnaka, Basilica of St Mark (Crete) and 2nd Aegean Arts International Festival (Crete).

Repertoire

Their repertoire ranges from baroque and classical composers of the 18th century to the masters of the 20th onwards for solo, 4 hands, 2 pianos and concertos. They are honoured to be the muses for pieces specifically written for and dedicated to them by several distinguished Greek composers.

CD recordings

• 'Classic Adventure-Live in UK' (2015)
• 'Romantic Collection' (2012)

Awards

• 3rd Prize - International C.V. Alkan- P.J.G. Zimmerman Piano Competition (solo)^[11]
• 1st Prize - National Arts Council of Greece Competition (solo)
• 1st Prize - Maria Cherogiorgou-Sigara National Piano Competition at the Megaron Mousikis Athens (solo)^[12]
• 1st Prize - Larissa Conservatory National Piano Competition (solo)^[13]
• 1st Prize - Chopin Interpretation Competition Singelaki Conservatory Athens (solo)
• 3rd Prize - 7th International Konzerteum Piano Competition (4-hands)
• 5th Prize - 10th International Konzerteum Piano Competition (4-hands)
• The 'Citizens of Honour' Award from the Municipality of Hersonissos^[14]
• The New College Student Cultural Development Award, University of Oxford (twice)
• The ‘Jannis Tzonker’ Young Artist Award
• The UNESCO medal

Science

Marianna has a MBBS Hons (1st) in Medicine from the University of Crete, and is at present studying a MSc in Performing Arts Medicine at University College London. Stephanie has a BSc Hons (1st) in Biology from the University of Crete^[15] and a MSc from the University of Oxford, where she is undergoing a PhD in Zoology as a student of New College, Oxford.^[16]

Awards and Publications

• The Parisianou S.A. Award
• The New College Student Support Award
• Member of the American Society of Naturalists (ASN)
• Section, Science & Society Editor of the Oxford University journal Phenotype
• Kapsetaki SE, Tzelepis I, Avgousti K, Livadaras I, Garantonakis N, Varikou K, Apidianakis Y., 2014. Nature Communications. ''The bacterial metabolite 2-aminoacetophenone promotes association of pathogenic bacteria with flies".
• Tzelepis I, Kapsetaki SE, Panayidou S, Apidianakis Y., 2013. Current Opinion in Pharmacology. Drosophila melanogaster: a first step and a stepping-stone to anti-infectives

Scholarships

• Minoan Conservatory of Music Heraklion (full tuition scholarships)
• Greek State Foundation (for 4 consecutive years)
• Lillian Voudouri Foundation
• Eleni Schillizi Foundation
• Bodossakis Foundation
• Leventis Foundation
• Alexander Onassis Foundation

References

1. "Twin talent with a gift in music, sports...and awards.". Patris (Patris newspaper: Katerina Milona). Retrieved 2015-10-10.
2. "MARIANNA & STEPHANIE KAPSETAKIS – LUNCHTIME RECITAL". www.glos.info. Retrieved 2015-10-10.
3. "Twin treat at free piano concert". The Oxford Times. Retrieved 2015-10-10.
4. "Ρεσιτάλ πιάνου από τις αδελφές Καψετάκη για την "Ηλιαχτίδα"". Cretalive. Retrieved 2015-10-10.
5. "Performances". Kapsetaki Duo. Retrieved 2015-10-10.
6. "Francis Poulenc - Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra". Youtube. Retrieved 2015-10-10.
7. "Crete Celebrates 100 Years Of Union With Greece In London". Retrieved 2015-10-10.
8. "Cretalook news". Retrieved 2015-10-10.
9. "REVIEW: The Kapsetakis Duo at Bristol Cathedral, by John Packwood 9/10". Retrieved 2015-10-10.
10. "Πιάνο και Ευρωκοινοβούλιο στα Φηρά". Το ΒΗΜΑ. Retrieved 2015-10-10.
11. http://www.neakriti.gr/?page=newsdetail&DocID=1317446
12. "Πρώτο βραβείο για την Ηρακλειώτισσα πιανίστα, Μαριάννα Καψετάκη". Patris. Retrieved 2015-10-10.
13. "Πανελλήνια διάκριση στο πιάνο για τις αδελφές Καψετάκη". Ρεθυμνιώτικα Νέα. Retrieved 2015-10-10.
14. "Βράβευση διακριθέντων μαθητών από το Δήμαρχο Χερσονήσου". Crete2day. Retrieved 2015-10-10.
15. "Ορκωμοσία αποφοίτων της σχολής θετικών και τεχνολογικών επιστημών". Cretalive. Retrieved 2015-10-10.
16. Department, Zoology. "Who Are We?". Department of Zoology. Retrieved 2015-10-10.

External links

• Official Website
• Kapsetaki duo on Facebook
• Kapsetaki duo on Twitter
• Kapsetaki duo on Youtube
• Kapsetaki duo on Instagram
• Kapsetaki duo on Βlogspot
• Kapsetaki duo on SoundCloud
• Kapsetaki duo on Google+