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About NYC Bouzouki School
Our story
NYC Bouzouki School was founded in 2023 by Tommy Kavounidis, a Greek-American musician from Astoria, Queens. After years of performing and teaching, Tommy envisioned NYC Bouzouki School as a place that would preserve the traditions of Rebetika, Laïka, and Nisiotika while making them accessible to a new generation of students.
From the beginning, affordability and community were at the heart of the mission. Tommy and his longtime friend Mihalis Alisandratos both grew up studying bouzouki in group classes led by the beloved instructor Antonis Tsimounis — a formative experience that inspired the structure and spirit of the school today.
Now, Tommy and Mihalis co-teach all group lessons at NYC Bouzouki School, offering students in New York City a unique musical education rooted in tradition. Their shared roots, close friendship, and complementary strengths help foster an environment that is immersive, authentic, and welcoming to all.
Meet your instructors
Founder & Director
Lead Instructor, NYC Bouzouki School
Tommy brings performance, teaching and his experience studying with Antonis Tsimounis to the school he founded.
Tommy Kavounidis , the driving force behind NYC Bouzouki School, is a dedicated and experienced bouzouki player and educator with 15+ years of teaching experience. Born and raised in Queens, New York, Tommy discovered his love for the bouzouki at age 13, which led him to delve into the world of music.
He studied with Antonis Tsimounis who inspired him to start NYC Bouzouki School and continue his legacy of affordable group bouzouki classes. Tommy developed a unique and tasteful approach to his instruments, combining influences from Rock, Classical, Jazz, and world styles. Tommy's passion for the bouzouki and extensive knowledge of Greek music traditions create an enriching learning environment for students of all levels.
He not only serves as an instructor but also as a mentor deeply committed to guiding students on their musical journey. His diverse musical background and education, including a degree in guitar performance and a minor in music production and engineering from Berklee College of Music, have helped elevate his experience and diversity in the profession, making him a valuable resource for aspiring musicians at NYC Bouzouki School.
Mihalis Alisandratos
Ethnomusicologist & Co-Instructor, Group Classes
Historical Advisor, NYC Bouzouki School
Mihalis connects bouzouki playing with ethnomusicology, Greek diaspora history and the group-class tradition he shares with Tommy.
Mihalis Alisandratos is an ethnomusicologist and bouzouki player from Queens, NY. Having grown up a child of the Greek diaspora in one of its primary sites, Mihalis has been steeped in a rich cultural tradition of music and performance from a very early age. He began classical guitar at the age of eight and switched over permanently to bouzouki after he was gifted one as a surprise from his godmother.
He began individual instruction in bouzouki at the age of 12 and joined weekly group lessons at KEP soon thereafter. After studying politics at Princeton University, Mihalis completed an MA in Music at CUNY Hunter College with a concentration in ethnomusicology. His thesis on bouzouki and rebetiko music in New York details a budding revival of one of the city's historically strongest Greek musical scenes and delves into ideas of ethnic identity and collective memory in diaspora and issues of authenticity and reflexivity for both performers, researchers, and culture bearers.
Mihalis will continue his work at the doctoral level at the CUNY Graduate Center and pursue a career in academia, performance, and community engagement. He was recently published for the first time in the Rising Voices in Ethnomusicology Student Journal and spoke as part of a panel on Greek American music and dance at the 2024 Modern Greek Studies Association symposium at Princeton University.
He lives in Queens with his wife Morgan and his jack russell terrier mix Penny.
How we teach
Greek repertoire and cultural context
Study Rebetika, Laïka and Nisiotika with attention to the musical history behind the repertoire.
Personal guidance and group learning
Develop technique at your level and learn with a community of players. Our instructors bring complementary performance and academic perspectives.
Choose how you learn
Take private lessons at our Fresh Meadows studio by appointment, arrange a home visit, join Saturday group classes at the Chian Federation, or learn online. The studio address is shared after booking. Explore our after-school programs and listed workshops too.
Support between lessons
Videos, backing tracks, progress tracking and email support are included with lessons, alongside the school’s learning resources.
Learn and practice with the school
Explore Greek scales, rhythm and music theory in our Learning Library. Try the practice tools and use the free fretboard charts alongside your lessons.
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