Guitarist Nikos Balogiannis initially studied at the Hellenic Conservatory of Athens. With Professor Th. Temzelidis he earned a degree in classical guitar receiving a qualification of “Outstanding with Honors” by unanimous decision, and with S. Ioannidis, he completed the cycle of higher theoretical degrees. From the Conservatory “Musical Horizons” he received a soloist diploma with first prize while he was awarded the ” Gold Medal of Outstanding Genius in memoriam of Charalambos Ekmektsoglou “. Holder of the Performance Diplomas LTSL and FTSL with Distinction from London Trinity University, he is the chairman of the jury at the musicArte Panhellenic Guitar Competition and a member of the scholarship committee (Vozos Endowment) of the Academy of Athens. He took part, among distinguished Greek and foreign artists in ‘Canto General’ by Mikis Theodorakis at the Athens Concert Hall, while he often collaborates with internationally acclaimed artists, such as the Belgian flutist Christian Plouvier.
As a soloist, he collaborates with the ‘Greek Composers Union’, performing, often in first performance, a multitude of works by representatives of both the old and new generation of Greek composers. Among numerous works written for Nikos Balogiannis, a point of reference is “Just 6 Strings”, which was dedicated to him in 2016 by great Greek composer Theodoros Antoniou and published by Papagrigoriou-Nakas Publications.
In 2016, he presented a recital tribute to the great composer and collaborator Theodoros Antoniou at the Goethe Institute, performing the entirety of his solo guitar works. In the same year, he presented a program with works by Hadjidakis – Theodorakis at the Presidential Palace as part of the “Democracy Day”.
In June 2021, together with cellist Asterios Pouftis, he created the “Duo is Orchestra”, with the aim of exploring and interpreting the charming and ever-expanding repertoire for cello and guitar. Their first appearance took place in 2022 at the “D. Mitropoulos” hall at “Megaron” of Athens.
In 2022, the family of Ch. Ekmektsoglou donated his precious archive to him, which they delivered in February 2025 to the “Lilian Voudouri” Music Library of the Friends of Music Association. On this occasion, he presented a recital dedicated to the life and work of the great guitar master, entitled “Guitar Composition for Charalambos Ekmektsoglou”, in the packed “D. Mitropoulos” hall at “Megaron” of Athens.
He teaches classical guitar at the “Musical Horizons Conservatory” as well as the Athens College – Psychico College Conservatory.
“Nikos Balogiannis is a great guitarist with amazing musical and intellectual qualifications. He has a rare musical perception and is able to perform, with perfect technique and unparalleled sensitivity, works of both the classical repertoire and contemporary music. His brilliant artistic career along with his love of teaching and generous offering render him one of the most important guitar teachers.
In 2016, in collaboration with the Greek Composers’ Union, he gave a unique performance, full of affection, of the entire guitar repertoire in my oeuvre.
For a composer, hearing one’s work performed by Nikos is like having been offered a valuable gift”.
Theodore Antoniou (2017)