Started learning bouzouki at the age of nine through Greek school music lessons. Since then, he has been taught by multiple encouraging musicians.

Paul undertook lessons in 2018 by musician Wayne Simmons. Wayne was instrumental in introducing him to Rebetika, and invited him to the ‘Rebetiko Jam’.

Through this exposure to Rebetika, open jams, and welcoming musicians, Paul was motivated to further delve into the world of Rebetika, and was keen to take part within the community.

He owes his passion for music to Wayne Simmons, Nikos Kapralos, Joe Tsombanopoulos, Paddy Montgomery and David McNamara. Now including Con Kalamaras, who reached-out to Paul to take part in a new group; ‘The Estudiantina of Melbourne’. He is also forever grateful for his family’s support and their contributions to his passions.

Paul hopes to see the ‘Estudiantina’ grow as a group and create memories together. He hopes to be continuously learning and improving, being inspired, inspiring others, and teach the next generation of aspiring musicians.

Jennifer is a violist and violinist passionately dedicated to creating and performing music that is genuinely expressive, dynamic and life affirming. She performs and composes music to share with others; deepening connections with one another and the world. She has an Honours Degree in Music from VCA, is a registered teacher and studied at The Juilliard School in New York City as a recipient of private funding from Dame Elizabeth Murdoch.

Her playing includes The Australian Philharmonic Orchestra, Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra, Melbourne Philharmonic Orchestra, Rudolf Nureyev farewell tour Bolshoi Ballet, Cosmopolitan Orchestra Manhattan NY, Juilliard Symphony Orchestra: conductors Kurt Masur, Otto Werner Mueller, James De Priest, Il Divo Orchestra. Also, various folk ensembles specifically performing traditional folk music from the Balkans and most recently Greece.

During her performance career, she has become involved in the creation and performance of new music and concerts devoted to experiencing something other than conventional classical music. Her compositions cowritten with Martin Mackerras was specifically chosen by Gideon Obarzanek (Chunky Move), to choreograph dancers for the State Theatre of the Melbourne Arts Centre. She was chosen by Playbox Theatre Company as solo violist to perform a commissioned work Earthly Paradise by Darryl Emmerson at The Malthouse Theatre.

After studying with Ms Karen Tuttle at The Juilliard School in New York City, generously supported by Dame Elizabeth Murdoch, Jennifer became inspired to extend her classical training to incorporate folk and contemporary styles of playing. Her listening tastes and passions encompass many musical genres, and Estudiantina of Melbourne is the ideal ensemble for her to showcase her depth of expertise as a string player and her desire to learn and experience people and culture through her love of music performance.

Maria's musical journey began at the age of 6, when her love of singing first took flight, setting the stage for a lifelong love affair with music. She grew up around her yiayia, who sang traditional songs while tending to the household chores and garden. At 12, Maria's passion for music blossomed further when she received a guitar for her birthday, delving into the diverse realms of jazz, metal, and blues

At 17, fate intervened when a Greek band sprouted at her high school, seeking an accordionist. Maria, inspired by the challenge, taught herself to play the accordion. It was through this band that she stumbled on the hauntingly beautiful sounds of rebetika music, captivated by its raw emotion and evocative style.

Throughout her early twenties, Maria ventured into the realm of pop and experimental music, honing her skills as a producer and performer in the vibrant scene of Melbourne's pubs and venues. Now, with a newfound dedication to her accordion, Maria has returned to her musical heritage with a renewed passion. She can be found performing on stages in various Greek bands, playing rebetika, laika, and traditional Greek music.

Alex grew up in a musical household, his dad a professional bassist and classical pianist, and was exposed to classical music from a young age. Alex started playing the classical violin at the age of 3 and perused it throughout primary and most of secondary school. Due to studies and shifting interests, Alex ceased playing the violin at age 17 and got involved in choral singing at secondary school, and then semi-professionally with the Australian Chamber Choir and other ensembles. He participated in the performances of large choral works such as Bach's St Matthew Passion, and Verdi's Requiem. Due to the commencement of university, Alex again ceased his involvement with music to focus on his studies. After dancing the obligatory "zeibekiko" at his 21st birthday, Alex became interested in Greek music. On the recommendation of his aunt, Alex attended the weekly Wednesday evening "Rebetika Jam" at Triakosia in North Fitzroy and was impassioned by the welcoming environment. He was encouraged to come back and bring a guitar with him, an instrument he had been tinkering with since adolescence. At this point, Alex was introduced to Con Kalamaras who provided him with resources, guidance, and encouragement to peruse rebetika music. Since his introduction to rebetika two years ago, Alex has played with a variety of ensembles at venues around Melbourne, including the newly formed Estudiantina of Melbourne.

Con Kalamaras, a Melbourne-based musician, events producer, and composer, is deeply immersed in Greek music. In-between insomnia, he produces music events and festivals and has toured extensively across Australia, Europe, the UK, and most recently in Japan. Con has composed music for film and performed in various Melbourne ensembles. Raised in Melbourne, Con briefly lived in Greece and the UK before returning home, reigniting his connection to his Greek heritage and exploring Rebetiko. His debut album "Rebetiko" sold out three times and his four subsequent albums have also enjoyed strong sales in Australia and OS. Con Co-founded the Melbourne Rebetiko Festival 2016-2019, touring acts such as Rebetien Australia & NZ Tour, and Pliri Ntaxei. He has also collaborated with renowned Greek artists like Apodomi Compania, Agathonas Iakovidis and Fotis Vergopouls, and participated in humanitarian projects. In April 2023, he performed at the Sydney Greek Festival's Rebetiko Symphony with Ifigeneia Ioannou and a 40-piece orchestra. He's graced stages at Port Fairy Folk Festival, Melbourne’s Recital Centre, Brunswick Music Festival, and Darwin Greek Festival, showcasing Greek music's diversity. Con's weekly Rebetiko Jam fosters inclusivity, while his podcast "Lovers of Rebetika" celebrates the genre. He is also Co-founder of Greek Fringe, touring acts such as Kadinelia and NikoTeini. He’s currently authoring a book slated for 2024 release. He lives in the mountains with his family and has a Cat called Minion Sassy Pants and two chickens both called Fred.

Born and raised in Athens, Vagellis has been surrounded by folk and folk songs since childhood, with music playing a pivotal role in his life, notably during social gatherings, family events, and local festivals in his parents' villages. Introduced to rebetiko singing at the tender age of ten, he was instantly captivated, recognizing it as the music that resonated with him most deeply. From that moment onward, he dedicated himself wholeheartedly to this musical genre, participating actively in school events and showcasing a repertoire that spanned various song types, including revolutionary and light folk songs, often alongside his brother, a gifted accordionist. Furthermore, he collaborated with his older brother, a skilled guitarist, in musical ensembles, entertaining audiences with performances of folk and rebetiko songs across Greece. Transitioning into a professional career at the age of seventeen, Vagellis initially graced the stages of renowned taverns renowned for their rebet music, such as Kotaro, Faka, and Orea Hellas, before ascending to larger venues such as Stoa ton Athanaton and Palia Markiza. Alongside his performance pursuits, Vagellis pursued formal education in voice at the National Conservatory of Athens and delved into Byzantine Music studies at Agios Nektarios in N. Heraklion.

Camille is a multi-instrumentalist specialising in Middle Eastern Maqam music. His instruments range from Qanun, Nay, Mizmar, and Buzuq, to the digital synthesizer and sequencer. He has performed both at live international venues and in high-end studio recording sessions.

Camille’s work at Arab Music Archiving and Research Foundation (AMAAR), an archive of traditional Arabic Recordings, led to an extensive network of artists and acquisition of knowledge through traditional oral methods.

With many years of experience living in diverse places and cultures, Camille has developed extensive experience with improvising and blending sounds to a broad array of events and audiences. This has led to a unique sound and a professional confidence for improvising and creating new styles.