Composer and Neapolis University Pafos academic Dr Stalo Georgiou has been elected secretary-general of the board of the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra Foundation (CSOF) following the appointment of a new governing body.
Georgiou was elected during the first meeting of the newly constituted board, which also selected its vice-president, secretary-general and treasurer.
Acclaimed composer Dr Marios Ioannou Elia will serve as chairman of the new board, while Dr Panikos Yiourgoudis was elected vice-president and George Thoukididis treasurer.
New board composition
The new board of the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra Foundation comprises:
- Chairman: Dr Marios Ioannou Elia
- Vice-Chairman: Dr Panikos Yiourgoudis
- Secretary-General: Dr Stalo Georgiou
- Treasurer: George Thoukididis
- Members: Athena Kythreotou, George Papageorgiou, Olympios Christofi, Charikleia Strouthou and Marianna Galidi
The Cyprus Symphony Orchestra Foundation is a non-profit organisation governed by a nine-member board appointed by the Council of Ministers.
Academic and musical background
Georgiou serves as an academic at Neapolis University Pafos in the Department of Communication and Creativity and is also academic coordinator of the doctoral studies unit and coordinator of the university's distance-learning degree in Communication, Marketing and Public Relations.
Her academic qualifications include studies in musicology and composition, alongside postgraduate and doctoral degrees in film and media composition and educational leadership.
She previously worked in the United Kingdom as head of music studies, music teacher and choir and orchestra conductor in primary and secondary education.
Artistic and community contribution
While in Britain, Georgiou founded the Cypriot Community Children's Choir of London in collaboration with the Cyprus Ministry of Education.
In Cyprus, she conducts the children's, adult and church choirs of Akamas Municipality in Peyia and also serves as conductor of the PASYDY Pafos Choir.
Her artistic work includes composing music for short films, silent cinema projects, theatre productions and musicals in both Cyprus and the UK. She has also written songs for established performers and received awards in Cyprus and internationally.
Among her notable achievements was leading her choir to first and second prizes in a competition organised by Arsenal as part of the selection process for the opening ceremony of the London Olympic Games, where she and her choir later performed.
Broader engagement
Georgiou is also active in community service, serving as deputy chair of EPEP Pafos and coordinator of the Pafos Children's Parliament, while participating in various charitable organisations.
Her research interests include:
- music psychology and education
- film and media composition
- communication and mass media
- research methodologies
Her appointment as secretary-general marks another milestone in a career that spans academia, musical composition, conducting and community engagement.
