Achilles Liarmakopoulos: Biography

Award-winning Achilles Liarmakopoulos is the trombonist of the legendary Canadian Brass. Achilles holds degrees from the Yale University School of Music, Curtis Institute of Music, San Francisco Conservatory and the Philippos Nakas Conservatory in his hometown of Athens, Greece.

Achilles has toured extensively throughout North America, Europe and Asia, performing and educating in the world’s most important venues and institutions. Upon completion of his studies, he won the position of principal trombone of the Greek Radio Symphony Orchestra. Achilles has also performed with the Malaysian Philharmonic, Jacksonville Symphony and European Union Youth Orchestra, among many others. As a recitalist, Achilles has performed in China, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Austria, Finland, Greece and the US, having been awarded honors at competitions around the globe.

At the age of 18, he gave two solo performances at Walt Disney Hall as the Grand Prize Winner of the Pasadena Showcase House Instrumental Competition. He has gone on to win prizes at the Christian Lindberg International Competition, the Yamaha Music Foundation of Europe (YMFE) and the International Trombone Festival’s Robert Marsteller/Conn-Selmer and Larry Wiehe solo competitions, to name a few. Achilles was also awarded the Alexandros S. Onassis Foundation and Greek State Scholarship Foundation educational scholarships.

In 2011 Achilles released his debut solo album on the NAXOS label, Tango Distinto, celebrating the music of Astor Piazzolla. The first solo trombone album with Piazzolla’s music. He continues to champion the music of Latin American composers and he was recently invited by salsa icon Ruben Blades to perform at his concerts. He occasionally tours with the world renowned Pink Martini, and he is also an adjunct trombone professor at Brooklyn College at CUNY University in NY

As part of an exclusive agreement between the Conn-Selmer Corporation and Canadian Brass, Achilles performs on a 24-karat gold-plated Bach 42B trombone. He is a recording artist for the Toronto-based independent label, Opening Day Entertainment Group [Odeg].

Highlights:

  • “Philip Francis Nelson Prize” for outstanding musicianship and entrepreneurial spirit 2010
  • 2nd  Prize “II Christian Lindberg International Solo Competition” 2008
  • 1st Prize “Robert Marsteller” International Trombone Competition 2007
  • Grand Prize Winner – Pasadena Showcase Instrumental Competition 2003
  • 1st Prie  “ITA Solo Competition” International Trombone Competition 2003
  • 1st Prize “Larry Wiehe” International Trombone Competition 2003
  • Winner Yamaha Music Foundation of Europe (YMFE) 2003

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