My Path
I begun my first private Piano lessons in 1986 with the aim to study two years later at the local Conservatoire of my town. There, at the Conservatoire "Giuseppe Verdi“ of Turin, I studied Piano, Percussion and Music Theory. At the same time I studied Jazz Drums at the "Scuola Civica Musicale".
On acquiring some theoretical knowledge and practical ability I went on to approach composition of music and vocal training step by step.
I took part in competitions and Festivals as Pianist and Music composer with groups from my city.
In 1992 I discovered the role of acting as a way of expressing my music. For that reason in the same year I started studying at the School of Theatre "Anna Bolens". I found the combination of Music and Theatre more interesting and in 1996 a trip to the magic Epidaurus determined my particular course in the fields of music.
Six months later - when I came to Greece with the wish to live there - I took part in the Music Festival of Varna, Bulgaria, presenting my own compositions. In Athens I have had the honor to get to know the composer and guitar player Nikos Mamangakis who persuaded me to complete my studies and to continue composing. In 1998 I presented my cycle of songs "Canzoni del cuore - Songs of the heart" at the cultural event "Omiria ‘98" at the island of Ios. In autumn of the same year I took part as a musician and actress in "The fallen goddess", a short film by the Canadian MM Production.
Composing is keeping me very busy but to progress my studies I have to improve my knowledge of the Greek language.
One year later in 1999 I deepen my knowledge of music, studying Singing, Music for Theatre and Movies and Music Technology at the "Philippos Nakas" Conservatoire of Athens.
Until 2005 my life moved at a fast pace and with my studies, and in between, my creative judgement has been enriched.
For the Elementary School Kamaterou I orchestrated music pieces for the theatrical work "Timpano, Trompeta & Kokkina Koufeta - Drums, Trumpet and red comfits" of Yannis Xanthouli in team work with the songwriter Marianna Antonopoulou.
In 2005 I had the experience that I was waiting for such a long time. I composed and recorded the song "Amore senza fine - Love without borders" at the studio "Odeon" of Athens and the song "La corsa - The run" for the "Festival of Castrocaro" in Italy. The cooperation with the orchestrator Yiorgos Zachariou and the Professor Yiannis Annino together with his band gave my compositions a very nice italo-greek touch!
2007 started with the wish to create a small music group with a unique character. It was called "Trichimia" and consisted of the klarinettist Maja Musi, Nancy Kouvarakou as singer and myself on the drums. For the next two years "Trichimia" was appearing at Athenian music stages and as a support band at concerts of the singer and actor Yiannis Zouganeli, of Fivos Delivoria and of Panos Mouzouraki.
Meanwhile I obtained the Diploma of Harmony and I decided to take a break from further music education. In 2009 I took part as a composer at the music event "Trochospito" of the Athens Festival and as performer at the first "International Street Theatre Festival" of Athens with the theatre group "Avista" in the work "Athens, Streets, Dreams".
The years go by and looking into my archives I find that I have enough compositions ready in order to record in my own CD. In 2011 this dream started to get real at the studio "Terra" of Athens. I recorded the compositions "The little Music Box" and "Waterbutterfly" together with the excellent musicians, Christos Serenes, Pianist and amazing Orchestrator, and Simone Mongelli with his magic Drums. In the summer of 2013 it was the beautiful voice of Alexandra Koniak who interpreted my songs, "La corsa" and "Amore senza fine", in a unique way. Work on the CD progresses and I hope it will be completed soon.
Since 2007 I have been teaching music at the "Open Door" Educational and Rehabilitation Center of Cerebral Palsy, Athens.
The music together with the creativity of all the people at the “Open Door” have been a source of strength inspiring me to continue on the path I have chosen.
Francesca Vinassa
