Dr. Charis Dimaras, Music Director
Dr. Charis Dimaras, Music Director, is a concert pianist and conductor who is strongly committed to the education of future generations of musicians: Dr. Dimaras is the principal repertoire coach and conductor at CAA, and Professor of Piano and Collaborative Studies at Ithaca College. He also serves as Artistic Advisor and Senior Coach h for Opera Naples’ Young Artist Program. In 2013, Dr. Dimaras was Artist-in-Residence at the International Summer Music Festival in Delfi, Greece, and also taught at Camp IDEAS in Beidahe, China. Previously, Dr. Dimaras completed a six-week tour that included concerts and master classes at 9 of China’s leading music conservatories. Dr. Dimaras has taught at the University of Miami’s program in Salzburg, the Holland Summer Music Sessions, and the Opera Theater Institute of famed Metropolitan Opera soprano, Johanna Meier.
Originally from Greece, Dr. Dimaras has been hailed internationally for his virtuoso technique and refined musicality, while his exciting stage-presence has thrilled audiences around the world. Equally at home performing the music of Bach, Mozart and Beethoven, or presenting brand new works in their world-premieres, he has performed in many of the world’s leading venues and collaborated closely with some of today’s leading singers. Notable recordings include The Greek Sonata by Dimitri Mitropoulos and Yorgo Sicilianos’ Eight Children’s Miniatures on the IRIDA Classics record label. Dr. Dimaras’ recent solo recital at the Megaron Concert Hall in Athens, Greece, including the iconic Appassionata, will be released as part of a collection of live-recorded Beethoven sonatas. Dr. Dimaras’ recital of mature Verdi arias with Metropolitan Opera baritone Todd Thomas was featured as the main event of the 2013 Eastern Regional Conference of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS). Additional highlights include performances with the St. Petersburg String Quartet, a gala solo recital event at the European Parliament building on the occasion of the Greek assumption of the EU Presidency, an extensive tour of Bosnia-Herzegovina as an officially invited guest of the U.S. Department of State, solo recitals in Moscow and St. Petersburg, a documentary on Czech National Television in celebration of composer Karel Husa, and a gala concert in Los Angeles with renowned Metropolitan Opera soprano, Carole Neblett.
Dr. Dimaras holds a Doctorate Degree in Piano Performance from the Manhattan School of Music, a Master’s Degree in Piano Performance from the Juilliard School in New York, a DipRCM from the Royal College of Music in London, and the Soloist Diploma of the Greek Ministry of Culture in Piano Performance from the Contemporary School of Music. Further studies include master classes with Lazar Berman, Aldo Ciccolini, Hans Graf, Andrea Lucchesini and Tatiana Nikolayeva (piano); Anner Bylsma, Mario Brunello, Dorothy Delay, Felix Galimir, Jacob Lateiner, Alain Meunier and Jacques Rouvier (instrumental chamber music); Sarah Arneson, Lorine Buffington, Helen Donath, Thomas Hampson, Cynthia Hoffman, Edith Mathis, Elisabeth Mosher, Katia Ricciarelli and Sarah Walker (vocal accompaniment). Elsewhere, he has pursued advanced German Language and Literature studies at the National University of Greece. Finally, during his first sabbatical leave from Ithaca College during the 2006-2007 academic season, he completed a second Master’s Degree in Orchestral Conducting at Bard College. Since then, he has appeared as guest conductor on both sides of the Atlantic, with such orchestras as the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra and the Symphony Orchestra of the Greek National Opera.
For additional information, please visit Dr. Dimaras' profile on the Ithaca College website.
Originally from Greece, Dr. Dimaras has been hailed internationally for his virtuoso technique and refined musicality, while his exciting stage-presence has thrilled audiences around the world. Equally at home performing the music of Bach, Mozart and Beethoven, or presenting brand new works in their world-premieres, he has performed in many of the world’s leading venues and collaborated closely with some of today’s leading singers. Notable recordings include The Greek Sonata by Dimitri Mitropoulos and Yorgo Sicilianos’ Eight Children’s Miniatures on the IRIDA Classics record label. Dr. Dimaras’ recent solo recital at the Megaron Concert Hall in Athens, Greece, including the iconic Appassionata, will be released as part of a collection of live-recorded Beethoven sonatas. Dr. Dimaras’ recital of mature Verdi arias with Metropolitan Opera baritone Todd Thomas was featured as the main event of the 2013 Eastern Regional Conference of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS). Additional highlights include performances with the St. Petersburg String Quartet, a gala solo recital event at the European Parliament building on the occasion of the Greek assumption of the EU Presidency, an extensive tour of Bosnia-Herzegovina as an officially invited guest of the U.S. Department of State, solo recitals in Moscow and St. Petersburg, a documentary on Czech National Television in celebration of composer Karel Husa, and a gala concert in Los Angeles with renowned Metropolitan Opera soprano, Carole Neblett.
Dr. Dimaras holds a Doctorate Degree in Piano Performance from the Manhattan School of Music, a Master’s Degree in Piano Performance from the Juilliard School in New York, a DipRCM from the Royal College of Music in London, and the Soloist Diploma of the Greek Ministry of Culture in Piano Performance from the Contemporary School of Music. Further studies include master classes with Lazar Berman, Aldo Ciccolini, Hans Graf, Andrea Lucchesini and Tatiana Nikolayeva (piano); Anner Bylsma, Mario Brunello, Dorothy Delay, Felix Galimir, Jacob Lateiner, Alain Meunier and Jacques Rouvier (instrumental chamber music); Sarah Arneson, Lorine Buffington, Helen Donath, Thomas Hampson, Cynthia Hoffman, Edith Mathis, Elisabeth Mosher, Katia Ricciarelli and Sarah Walker (vocal accompaniment). Elsewhere, he has pursued advanced German Language and Literature studies at the National University of Greece. Finally, during his first sabbatical leave from Ithaca College during the 2006-2007 academic season, he completed a second Master’s Degree in Orchestral Conducting at Bard College. Since then, he has appeared as guest conductor on both sides of the Atlantic, with such orchestras as the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra and the Symphony Orchestra of the Greek National Opera.
For additional information, please visit Dr. Dimaras' profile on the Ithaca College website.
