About

Yiolanda Loizou is a guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from Limassol, Cyprus, currently based in London, UK. She specialises in classical and contemporary repertoire as well as Eastern Mediterranean folk music. Her influences are rooted in ancient folk songs and tales, and her compositions and arrangements combine sounds from Cyprus and other Eastern Mediterranean, Balkan and Middle Eastern traditions with classical and modern music elements. Her distinct artistic identity and cross-genre approach position her as an emerging voice in contemporary folk/classical fusion.

Yiolanda has completed her undergraduate studies in Classical Guitar Performance at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, under the tutelage of Graham Devine. Her studies have been generously supported by awards from the Finzi Trust, Wolfson Foundation Trust and Henry Wood Accommodation Trust. In 2019–2020, she received a full merit-based scholarship to pursue advanced music theory and analysis with Myro Solomou. She is currently completing a Master's Degree in Classical Guitar Performance at Trinity Laban.

Yiolanda has appeared as a soloist and ensemble musician in venues, radio stations and festivals across Europe. Highlights include performances at the Pattihio Theatre, Rialto Theatre, the National Maritime Museum, Queen's House Museum, Blackheath Halls, New Lights Festival and Kanali 6 Radio (Cyprus). She has performed in masterclasses with some of the world's leading guitarists, such as Paul Galbraith, John Mills, Fiona Harrison, Christopher Stell and Jose Antonio Escobar.

As an active collaborator, Yiolanda works regularly with various artists and ensembles. She is a member of Nysiādes, an electronic hybrid band, where she performs on the mandolin and guitar. The band holds residencies in renowned restaurants in London and performs around Europe. Yiolanda also performs in a number of other ensembles, including Syrinx Duo (flute and guitar). Her recording credits include George Synnos' album Ola Allazoun and Apocalypse EP by Nysiādes.