Michalis PantelidesMichalis Pantelides was born in Nicosia, Cyprus on 18th February 1979. His passion for music started at the age of 8 with his first violin lessons. In 1995 he received Grade 5 in violin and theory of music from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, UK. For many years he was a member of different orchestras, including the State Orchestra of Cyprus for young performers. In 1998 Michalis commenced studies at Istituto Professionale per L’Artigianato Liutario e del Legno Antonio Stradivari in Cremona, Italy and completed his studies in 2005 as a Master Violin Maker and Bow Maker. Presently, since 2005, Michalis works at his own Studio in Nicosia – Cyprus and is continually collaborating with the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra, Nicosia Music School, Limassol Music School, English School as well as the Sistema Cyprus and several public and private music schools and institutions also.
Studies:
1998-2003: Michalis enrolled at the Istituto Professionale per L’Artigianato Liutario e del Legno Antonio Stradivari in Cremona, Italy where he started his studies as a violin maker under the guidance of Maestro V. Bissolotti and Maestro Angelo Sperzaga
2003-2004: He had his practical experience under the instruction of Maestro T. Matsushita
2003-2005: He attended a regional course of bow making under the guidance of Maestro G. Lucchi
2018: He participated in Acoustics Workshop in Oberlin College (USA), organized by Violin Society of America and he works in research projects with Samuel Zygmuntowicz and Joseph Curtin
Diplomas:
2001: he received the Qualifica di Operatore di Liuteria with full marks
2003: he received with honours the Diploma di Tecnico di Liuteria, with Thesis Title: “Harmonic Analysis Applied to Violin Making”
2004: he received the Qualifica Regionale di Liutaio (Violin Maker Qualification)
2005: he received the Diploma in Bow Maker.
Awards:
2001: «Premio Grandi-Taglietti»
2003: «XII Premio M° Piero Ferraroni»
2004: «Premio Duilio Negroni»
Memberships in Professional Organisations:
- ALI (Associazione Liutaia Italiana)
- CAS (Catgut Acoustical Society)
- VSA (Violin Society of America)
- BVMA (British Violin Making Association)
Diploma of qualification for completion of 3 years study, Violin Making 
Diploma of qualification for completion of 5 years study, Violin Making
Diploma of qualification for completion of internship under Maestro T. Matsushita 
Diploma of qualification for completion of study, Bow Making
