Charis Laurijsen

Charis Laurijsen was born in Crete where he was immersed in a rich musical culture. At the age of 12, he started playing the bouzouki and deepening his knowledge of Rembetiko, traditional Cretan music. At the age of 18, he enrolled in the Turkish music department of music performances at Codarts Conservatory (University of Arts) in Rotterdam where he studied Classical Ottoman music in the Turkish lute, Lavta, under Kudsi Erguner- the master of the Turkish Ney. Charis spent his third year studying abroad in Istanbul at ITU Conservatory and taking private lessons with Murat Aydemir, Mehmet Bitmez and Enver Mete Aslan furthering his expertise in the Lavta. While earning his Bachelors degree, he has participated in various collaborative projects in Turkey, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Crete, followed Labyrinth seminars and workshops on Bouzouki, Lavta and the Cretan Lute, played many live performances and gigs and has taught private Bouzouki lessons.