Olga Bakali

The dramatic soprano Olga Bakali was born in Athens, Greece, where she began her musical training as a pianist. At the age of fourteen, she was awarded first prize at the Greek Competition “Filon” for piano. It was at this time that her unique vocal abilities were discovered and she began serious vocal studies with Barbara Gavakou at the Glyfada Conservatory of Music in Athens where in 1991, she received her diploma with honors. She continued her studies under the noted Greek baritone Kostas Paskalis and Mme. Gavakou. A recipient of grants and scholarships from the European Community, she participated in master classes at the Athenaeum Cultural Center under the tutelage of such distinguished artists as Ileana Cotrubas, Jeanette Pilou, Luigi Alva, and Maestro Paskalis. In 1996, she received