KERAS HORN ENSEMBLE
A Collective Spirit of Sound
KERAS Horn Ensemble officially came into existence in September 2017, founded by Kostas Siskos, principal horn of the Athens State Orchestra, together with his students. Yet, the ensemble's roots trace back to a summer day in 2005 on the island of Corfu, when Siskos and a handful of his students first came together to give a concert. What began as a spontaneous musical gathering gradually grew into a tradition: each summer, horn players of all ages — students, professionals, and passionate amateurs — would unite to rehearse and perform simply for the joy of making music together. It was this joyful spirit of camaraderie that led to the formal founding of KERAS — a name that now resonates in the Greek musical landscape.
Today, KERAS counts up to 30 members and operates as an open ensemble. While centered around the French horn, it also includes percussion and up to two trombones, expanding its sonic palette. The group explores bold orchestrations — many by horn player and arranger Maria Fotia — and increasingly performs original works written specifically for the ensemble. The ensemble’s mission is both ambitious and heartfelt: to explore the horn’s expressive potential while never losing sight of the pure joy of playing music together.
GENESIS
FIRST ABLUM
Invocation 715 (S. Tsiligiridis)
The Return (M. Deli)
Onde pensierose (L. Taormina)
GENESIS
FIRST ALBUM
KERAS HORN ENSEMBLE
on all digital platforms
Invocation 715
composed by Savvas Tsiligiridis
The Return
composed by Maria Deli
Onde pensierose
composed by Lauro Taormina
Meet the Ensemble
Kostas Siskos
founder of Keras Horn Ensemble
Principal Horn of the Athens State Orchestra, is an internationally acclaimed soloist and dedicated educator whose career reflects excellence, versatility, and cultural leadership. Born in Corfu, Greece in 1973, he began playing the French horn at age 11 and soon moved to Athens to study under Spyros Kessaris. He graduated with honors from the “Orfeion” Conservatory and later pursued postgraduate studies at the University for Music and Performing Arts in Graz, Austria, under Hector McDonald.
From 2000 to 2003, Siskos was Principal Horn of the National Opera Orchestra of Greece, and since 2004, he has held the same position with the Athens State Orchestra. His international appearances include performances with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Concentus Musicus Wien, Wrocław Baroque Orchestra, and more. As a soloist, he has performed with Greece’s top orchestras, covering a wide repertoire from Mozart and Strauss to modern premieres by Theodor Antoniou, Eric Larson, and Christos Chatzis. His recordings include projects with DECCA and Deutsche Grammophon, notably alongside Franco Fagioli in Rossini’s Matilde di Shabran.
A committed chamber musician, Siskos has performed with the “Tal” Woodwind Quintet and the “Metallon” Brass Ensemble, touring widely across Greece. Equally devoted to education, he has taught at major conservatories since 1997, mentoring over 25 students who now play in top European orchestras. A tireless advocate for horn pedagogy, he regularly organizes workshops with leading international hornists, bridging Greek and European musical communities.
Maria Fotia
Maria is at the heart of KERAS not only as a performer but as an arranger and artistic force. Having studied both horn and piano, she brings a deep musicality to her transcriptions and original programming for the ensemble. For Maria, KERAS is a labor of love — “the most wholesome thing” she’s ever done in music.
Nafsika Motsenigou
Born on the island of Corfu, Nafsika Motsenigou began playing the French horn at the age of nine with the prestigious “Palaia” Philharmonic Society of Corfu. She continued her formal studies at the Ionian Conservatory of Corfu under the guidance of Kostas Siskos, Principal Horn of the Athens State Orchestra.
Her professional career quickly gained momentum, leading to collaborations with some of Greece’s leading ensembles, including the Athens State Orchestra, the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra, and the Greek National Opera. Known for her versatility and refined musicianship, she is an active presence in the Greek orchestral scene.
Alongside her performance career, Ms. Motsenigou is a dedicated music educator, teaching horn at both the Kapodistrias Philharmonic Union and the Ionian Conservatory of Corfu, where she plays a vital role in nurturing the next generation of brass players.
Since the age of 16, she has been a member of the dynamic Keras Horn Ensemble, actively contributing to its artistic development. A highlight of this journey was the organization of the 1st Balkan Horn Meeting, held in Corfu in the summer of 2022 — an important milestone for both the ensemble and the broader brass community of Southeast Europe.
Elina Leftherioti
Elina hails from Corfu and began playing music with the island’s renowned Philharmonic Society. After receiving her horn diploma in 2018, she earned a degree in Music Studies from the Ionian University and took part in several major Greek orchestras. A member of KERAS since 2013, she also works as a music educator with schools and El Sistema Greece.
Spyridoula Koskina
A decorated performer from Corfu, Spyridoula received her diploma with highest honors under Kostas Siskos. She has performed with leading Greek orchestras, including the Athens State Orchestra and the Greek National Opera, and has won numerous awards for her musical achievements.
Spyros Poulimenos
Also from Corfu, Spyros began his musical education at the Kapodistrias Philharmonic and later trained with Kostas Siskos. Holding a diploma since 2017, he has worked with many orchestras across Greece. A long-time member of KERAS, he has been with the ensemble for over 15 years.
Thodoris Marinos
Thodoris combines a rich background in both piano and horn. His horn studies with Spyros Bakos and Kostas Siskos were complemented by a degree in Economics. He has played with top Greek orchestras and is also active as a teacher for young children. His diverse musical and academic experience brings depth to his artistic contributions.
Ilias Iliadis
A native of Markopoulo, Ilias picked up the horn at age 10 and never looked back. A student of Kostas Siskos and a graduate of the Music High School, he has performed with orchestras in Larissa and Thessaloniki. Today, he teaches horn and shares his belief in music as a profound form of communication and expression.
Fotini Vonorta
Fotini began her horn studies in the town of Karpenisi before moving to Athens to continue under Kostas Siskos. A member of KERAS since 2017, she earned her French horn diploma in 2023 and a diploma in music theory in 2024. She is currently a full-time member of the Hellenic Air Force Band.
Christos Maltezos
Born in Thessaloniki in 1995 and raised in Corfu, Christos began his musical journey with the Mantzaros Philharmonic Society. His advanced horn studies brought him to Athens under Kostas Siskos and later to London’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where he studied with an esteemed faculty. He has participated in numerous orchestras and festivals, both in Greece and internationally, and was awarded first prize at the Mantzaros competition in 2012.
Dimitris Desyllas
Greece’s leading percussionist, Dimitris Desyllas is an internationally acclaimed soloist, composer and educator. He has performed across the globe, collaborated with leading artists like Martha Argerich, Theodor Currentzis, Robert Wilson, Iannis Xenakis, Gary Barton and premiered a huge number of works in Greece and internationally.
Creator of the ensembles TYΠΑΝΑ and KYKLOS has been the head of Timpani and percussion at the world renowned MUSICAETERNA. Dimitris, a solo timpanist with the Athens State Orchestra now brings his artistry and experience to KERAS, expanding the ensemble’s expressive range.Meet the Composers
Maria Deli
Greek composer, bayanist, and choir director. Her compositional work encompasses chamber music, orchestral pieces, music for animation, and intuitive music. Her works have been presented both in Greece and internationally, at venues such as the Alternative Stage of the Greek National Opera, the Athens Concert Hall, the Thessaloniki Concert Hall, the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation, the University of Athens, various theaters in Athens, as well as in Boston (ALEA III), Tirana, and Cologne.
She holds a diploma in Bayan and academic degrees in Composition, Fugue, Counterpoint, Harmony, and Choir Conducting. In addition to her compositional work, she teaches accordion and advanced music theory, and directs choirs and small musical ensembles.
Savvas Tsiligiridis
Studied piano and music theory at the Macedonian Conservatory of Thessaloniki and composition with Theodore Antoniou.
His work spans a wide range of genres, including music for solo instruments, chamber music, orchestral works, electronic music, sound installations, and compositions for theatre and exhibitions.
His music has been performed internationally, with many of his works commissioned by ensembles, orchestras, institutions, and festivals. These include the Athens State Orchestra (KOA), the National Theatre of Greece, the Greek Composers’ Union, the Thessaloniki Piano Festival, the Orchestra of Colours, Alea III (Contemporary Music Ensemble in residence at Boston University), the Hellenic Music Center, the Keras Horn Ensemble, the ensemble Piandaemonium, and the Olympic Sax Festival.
Savvas Tsiligiridis is a member of the Greek Composers’ Union.
Lauro Taormina
Italian composer with a background in piano and orchestral music. His work spans film scores, documentaries, theater, audiobooks, and contemporary music productions. He has collaborated with symphony orchestras across Europe and produced music for broadcasters such as RAI and German television networks.
For over 15 years, he worked with Isuku Editions and Daphne Music, focusing on composition, arrangement, and production across various genres.
Taormina has collaborated with major labels like Sony Music, Universal, BMG, and ZYX. He also held roles in audio production and management, and in the past gave masterclasses in orchestration and music notation at Italian conservatories.
