Cellist Maria Elli Petridou, just a few days after winning the major international distinction as Grand Prize Winner in “The World’s Biggest Stage Competition 2026” in New York, speaks to Classicalmusic.gr about her deep connection with the cello, her studies and the artistic influences that shaped her, as well as her vision for music and the new generation of artists.

When and how did you first come into contact with music?

My first contact with music happened at a very young age. When I was just nine months old, my parents enrolled me in a music and movement education program, which was an extremely important initial stimulus. Looking back today, I believe this experience served as a valuable foundation for my later career and significantly contributed to me starting cello lessons at the age of four.

Who or what prompted you to pursue music professionally?

My family played a decisive role in my journey towards music. From the age of five, I systematically participated in competitions, which brought me into early contact with discipline, consistency, and the continuous pursuit of improvement.

However, what truly captivated me was not the competition itself, but the preparation process: the endless hours of study, rehearsals, delving into the work(s), and the daily effort to approach music with greater maturity. Through this journey, a deep love for art was born, which gradually transformed into a way of life.

The moment of a concert or competition remains particularly moving for me. It is the moment when the preparation is complete, and the musician is now called upon to communicate the work to the audience with sincerity and freedom. At that moment, they stop thinking about the hours of work that preceded it and dedicate themselves exclusively to the music.

How did you choose the instrument you specialized in?

My relationship with the cello began even before I consciously understood what music was. According to my parents, from infancy, I showed a particular attraction to the instrument and its characteristic movement. Perhaps for some, this may sound unusual, but for me, it is a beautiful coincidence of life, which I approach with gratitude.

My parents noticed this natural attraction and decided to give me the opportunity to get acquainted with the cello very early on. Thus, after music and movement education, I officially began my studies on the instrument at the age of four. Since then, the cello has been an integral part of my life and personal expression.

Where do you study and which teachers shaped you?

I am studying as a full scholarship recipient at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio, United States, in the class of Professor Dmitry Kouzov, who is the teacher and mentor who has played the most decisive role in my artistic and musical journey so far. He is a great musical mind and an exceptional personality, whom I deeply admire and to whom I refer as a constant point of reference in my artistic development. His teaching, both on a technical and interpretive level, has significantly contributed to the formation of my musical thinking, my aesthetic perception, and my approach to the repertoire.

At the same time, other teachers and mentors whom I was fortunate enough to meet along the way have also contributed significantly to my development, including Yulia Fedosseva and Sibbi Bernhardsson, as well as other educators and artists who inspired me to view music as a continuous process of evolution, exploration, and personal introspection.

Each of these collaborations has left a different but substantial imprint on my musical and artistic identity.

Have you participated in competitions? Was there any one of them that decisively propelled you into your professional career?

Participation in competitions has been part of my musical journey since the age of five. To date, I have taken part in a large number of national and international competitions, winning fifteen gold awards in pan-Hellenic competitions and eleven gold awards in international events.

Undoubtedly, one of the most significant milestones in my career was “The World’s Biggest Stage Competition 2026” in New York, where I had the honor of being named Grand Prize Winner. This distinction opened new artistic horizons and allowed me to present my work to a wider international audience.

When and where did you make your first public appearance?

I cannot pinpoint my very first public appearance with absolute precision, as my contact with the stage began at a very young age. However, my first substantial and official public presence, which I can clearly recall, was at the age of five, when I participated in a competition in Greece, where I had the honor of winning a silver medal.

This experience was a particularly important milestone for me, as it was the first time I was called upon to share my music in front of an audience and a judging panel. Looking back today, I realize that moment was the starting point of a long journey full of experiences, challenges, and valuable lessons.

Which of your performances to date will remain unforgettable?

One of the most moving and defining moments of my career so far was my performance at the Kaufman Music Center in New York as one of the four finalists of “The World’s Biggest Stage Competition.”

This experience was particularly significant for me, not only because of the distinction that followed but also because I had the opportunity to represent Greece in a high-level event, alongside excellent young musicians from different countries. Being named Grand Prize Winner was a great honor and at the same time a reminder that consistency, dedication, and daily work can lead to significant opportunities.

What are your preferences in repertoire selection? Favorite works, composers… Which repertoire do you feel suits you best?

Although I try to approach every musical period with the same dedication and curiosity, I feel a special connection to the Romantic repertoire. Its expressive freedom, the range of emotions, and its deeply human dimension resonate with aspects of my personality as a musician.

At the same time, I am fascinated by the challenge of performing works from different eras, from Baroque and Classicism to contemporary music. Each composer demands a different aesthetic approach, different thinking, and a different way of expression. I believe that engaging with a diverse repertoire broadens a musician’s artistic horizons and contributes significantly to their development.

Contemporary creation also holds particular interest for me. We live in an era where excellent works continue to be written, and I consider it very important to remain open to new ideas, new languages, and new ways of musical expression.

What musical dream would you like to achieve?

If I could summarize my musical dream in one sentence, I would say that I wish to share my music with as many people as possible.

Beyond distinctions or professional successes, what moves me most is the potential for communication that music offers. Through the cello, I would like to express my own artistic voice, my thoughts, and my personality, always with deep respect for the composer, the work, and its historical journey.

I believe that the balance between personal interpretive identity and fidelity to the musical text is one of the greatest challenges but also one of the most important responsibilities of every performer.

What difficulties does a young musician face in Greece and the world today?

I believe that one of the biggest challenges a young musician faces today concerns not only their artistic development but also the environment in which they are called to grow.

Music is a field that requires continuous self-assessment, an open mind, and a willingness to improve. However, for a young artist to truly develop, they need to receive honest, objective, and constructive criticism. Only through such a process can they recognize their weaknesses, leverage their strengths, and move forward in a meaningful way.

I also consider it important that the opportunities offered to young musicians are based primarily on the quality of their work, their dedication, and their artistic value. When evaluation is done with transparency and professionalism, an environment is created that encourages progress, healthy competition, and mutual respect.

Despite the difficulties, I remain optimistic. There are excellent young musicians with talent, diligence, and vision, and I believe that with more support, honesty, and trust in their abilities, they can offer a lot both in Greece and internationally.

How would you suggest we approach young people to get them involved in classical music?

I believe that contact with music from a very young age can offer invaluable benefits, regardless of whether someone will pursue a professional career in the field or not.

Studying a musical instrument cultivates patience, concentration, discipline, responsibility, and the ability to commit to a long-term goal. At the same time, it enhances emotional intelligence and offers children a unique way of expression and communication.

Personally, I feel very lucky that my parents introduced me to music at such a young age and supported me throughout the journey. As artists themselves, they knew firsthand the value of discipline, perseverance, and continuous effort.

Art does not only shape a person’s technical skills; it shapes their character. And this is perhaps the most important gift music can offer a young person.

Besides music, what are your favorite activities?

I strongly believe in the importance of balance between intellectual and physical cultivation. For this reason, I dedicate a significant part of my daily life to physical exercise, proper nutrition, and caring for my health.

In the past, I engaged in various activities such as beach volleyball, gymnastics, ballet, and chess. Today, I train systematically with a personal coach, as I believe that physical fitness is an important ally for a musician as well.

At the same time, I am involved in modeling, I particularly love reading, and I enjoy spending time in beautiful natural landscapes. The sea, especially during the summer months in Greece, is a source of calm and inspiration for me.

Above all, however, I value time with my family. Simple moments, a conversation, a walk, or a quiet gathering with loved ones are often those that hold the greatest value.

What are your goals for the future?

I am currently in a period where a particularly important cycle of my educational and artistic journey is concluding, so my next decisions will also be shaped by the opportunities that will arise in the coming months.

What I know for sure is that I wish to continue my postgraduate studies after completing my degree and to continue developing both as a musician and as a person.

Beyond specific titles or distinctions, my goal is to constantly be in a process of learning, to collaborate with people who inspire me, and to serve music with consistency, integrity, and respect.