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Ismene Hrysohoou-Carter

Violinist
She was born in Thessaloniki. She studied violin at the State Conservatory of Thessaloniki with Euripides Kotsanides, graduating with honors and a 1st prize. Then she continued her studies at the Vienna Music Academy with Ernst Morawec on a scholarship by the Chamber of Industry graduating with honors and a monetary prize. She also received a diploma from Mozarteum, after attending “summer classes”. She made her first solo appearance in 1955, accompanied by the Baden Symphony Orchestra conducted by Heinz Norfolk-Huber. Thereafter she played in broadcasts of the Vienna Radio Station, and was awarded a gold medal at the international Mozart competition of Salzburg celebrating the 200th birthday of the composer (1956). She appeared as a soloist with the European Youth Orchestra and in 1957 she appeared in the Musikverein concert hall, where she interpreted Martinu's Concerto da Camera, conducted by Zubin Mehta. She continued performing in Germany and Austria, until she returned to Greece for family reasons. She founded the City of Athens Quartet and gave recitals in numerous cities around Greece. As a soloist she collaborated, among others, with the Athens State Orchestra, the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra and the Orchestra of the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT). In 1990, she founded the ensemble Athens Strings [Enchorda Athinon]. In addition, she appeared at the Athens Festival on several occasions. She taught violin at the Athens Conservatory and the Piraeus Conservatory as well as masterclasses in Glasgow. She participated in panels of judges in international and national violin competitions. Her performances are available on the internet. She has served as Secretary of the GNO Board of Directors (1981-1988) and as president of the Athens Conservatory Teachers' Union.