Dr. Eleftherios Chasanidis is a leading international figure in the preservation, performance, and evolution of Byzantine Chant. As Protopsaltis (Master Cantor) of the National Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City and an acclaimed operatic baritone, he bridges the musical worlds of East and West through powerful performance, composition, and education. His artistic voice combines deep tradition with modern relevance, earning him recognition as “a voice of staggering depth and spiritual power.”

A native of Thessaloniki, Greece, Dr. Chasanidis was immersed in Byzantine music from an early age under the mentorship of his father, Ioannis Chasanidis—a distinguished Master Cantor, pedagogue, and composer. At six, he began studying the violin, later pursuing Violin Performance at the University of Macedonia, while earning conservatory degrees in Tonal Harmony, Counterpoint, Fugue, Violin, and a Diploma in Byzantine Music.

His advanced vocal studies brought him to the United States, where he earned a Master’s degree and Artist Certificate in Voice Performance from Georgia State University. In 2025, he completed his Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Voice Performance from the University of Georgia, studying under Metropolitan Opera baritone Frederick Burchinal.

Since relocating to the U.S. in 2016, Dr. Chasanidis has reshaped the landscape of Byzantine Chant in North America. His command of the Athonite yphos (style) has made him a vital link to the thousand-year-old oral tradition, while his masterful incorporation of Byzantine chant into English has broadened its reach for modern congregations and audiences. A dedicated educator, he serves as Instructor of Byzantine Chant and Vocal Coach at the School of Byzantine Music (SBM) of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and as Associate Music Director of the Sons of Antioch Byzantine Choir.

In addition to his interpretive and pedagogical contributions, Dr. Chasanidis is innovating in the field of Byzantine music by developing and applying structured vocal techniques for chant performance, an area previously left largely unformalized. Drawing on his operatic training, he has introduced vocal concepts such as breath support, dynamic control, agility, phrasing, resonance placement, and stamina into the training of cantors. This work not only supports the long-term vocal health of practitioners but elevates the expressive and technical possibilities of Byzantine Chant. His approach is now being adopted by new generations of chanters seeking both authenticity and vocal sustainability.

As a performer, he has appeared on major stages across the U.S. and Europe with both sacred and operatic repertoire. In 2023, he made his solo debut at Carnegie Hall with Letters About Three Luminaries, a groundbreaking concert fusing Eastern and Western musical idioms. His operatic roles include Figaro, Gianni Schicchi, Valentin, Guglielmo, Don Basilio, Olin Blitch, Raimondo, and Ottone, as well as the Prophet/King in the EU premiere of Nico Muhly’s Dark Sisters. Oratorio and concerto credits include works by Mozart, Handel, Beethoven, and Schubert, as well as world premieres by living composers such as Nickitas J. Demos.

One of his signature achievements is the monodrama Against the Sun and the Sky’s Blue (composer: Nickitas Demos, poet: Antigoni Gaitana), a modern musical narrative of the Greek Diaspora. Developed in close collaboration with the creative team, the piece integrates Byzantine chant into a contemporary performance medium, highlighting chant as “not just sacred music, but a living cultural and spiritual identity.”

Dr. Chasanidis is featured on multiple recordings and broadcasts, including performances with the Grammy-nominated ensemble Cappella Romana, and his work has been highlighted by WBIR (NBC affiliate), The Signal, Sforzando (University of Georgia), and The National Herald. He has been invited to present masterclasses and lectures at institutions such as New York University, UCLA, Mercer University, Northeastern Illinois University, the National Hellenic Museum, and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

In 2024, he was inducted into the Society of Pi Kappa Lambda, the premier U.S. honor society for musical excellence. He also serves as Chanter Liaison Officer for the Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians of the Archdiocesan District, is a member of the Romanos o Melodos Greek Orthodox Chanters of Greater New York, and he is a member of the National Committee of Byzantine Music.

Upcoming projects include an international tour of Against the Sun and the Sky’s Blue, with performances planned in Athens, London, and Toronto; a full-length studio recording of newly adapted English-language Byzantine hymns in the Athonite tradition; and the publication of a groundbreaking bilingual book of Byzantine music, presenting original compositions and adaptations in both Greek and English, designed to support chanters, scholars, and churches in the Greek Orthodox tradition worldwide.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Dr. Chasanidis remains steadfast in his mission: to preserve the ancient sound of Byzantine Chant, pass on its intricate vocal techniques, and elevate it as both an art form and a spiritual path in the modern world.