Nikos began studying classical piano at the age of 4 with the Suzuki method, but didn’t start playing jazz until he was 14. He has also been studying classical clarinet for several years and continues with his classical piano studies as well. Nikos has just completed his junior year at New World School of the Arts in Miami, FL and plays with their Jazz Combo and Big Band Jazz Ensemble, which recently won the Essentially Ellington Competition in New York. A member of both the Florida All-State and Dade County All-County jazz bands, he gigs very frequently around the Miami area with both professional musicians and with fellow students and has a steady trio gig every Saturday night at a café in Coral Gables. He is an avid composer and has written 7 original compositions for jazz combo. His favorite pianists are Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans and Oscar Peterson.