Panayiotis Giannarapis Oud, Bouzouki, Baglama, Tzoura Panayiotis was born in London, Ont. Canada from Greek immigrant parents hailing from Athens, Greece. He began his musical studies at the age of 8, studying the accordion, and Western music theory at the Ontario Conservatory of Music. Then he began to immerse himself in the Greek Bouzouki. He studied with various players, and continued his studies at the Elite Music Academy, in Toronto Ontario, studying Greek music theory, as well as the Greek Bouzouki under the direction of Mr. Anastasios Issakidis. In his studies, he was exposed to various styles of Greek music. From folk, traditional, laika (popular), rembetika (Greek blues), dimotika (people's music), to even nisiotika (island music). He also studied Guitar (of various styles) with Vasilios Issakidis, and Darren Driscol. He has studied the Oud and the Arabic Maqamat theory under the guidance of Mr. Nabeel Shehadeh. Studying Classical Arabic music, traditional, folk, and modern urban music from different Middle Eastern countries. He has recently continued his studies in the Arabic Maqamat theory, and Egyptian music of the Ottoman Era with Dr. Giorgos Dimitrios Sawa. In studying the Oud, which is his genuine passion, Panayiotis reaches deep into his roots from Asia Minor where he explores the musical traditions of Smyrni and Konstatinoupoli. He has also studied Byzantine music with Pater Elias Drossos. Panayiotis had his first taste of Bouzouki and Oud playing in his teacher's orchestra. He played a wide range of Greek music, from folk to modern, as well as music from the Greek islands as well as the music from Smyrni, and Konstantinoupoli. He has guest lectured at the University of Western Ontario's Ethnomusicology course, and has worked with the U.W.O. Dance Company. In 2010 he participated in the TAKE 4 lecture series at the University of Windsor. In 2011, he was asked to give a workshop at the University of Windsor’s Music Therapy Class on Creative Improvisation, and an additional workshop to students interested in performing the music of the Near and Middle East. He has performed on television, radio and at various concerts, and festivals around the Southern Ontario region. He has given seminars, and workshops on the Oud and Near and Middle Eastern music. His love and passion for this particular type of music has no bounds.