Ektoras Tsakalidis was born in Thessaloniki, Greece in November 2014. He started playing the cello at the age of four with Theodora-Sandra Panagiotidou in Thessaloniki. His teacher during the years 2021-2025 was Christos Kozalis at the New Conservatory of Thessaloniki, where Ektoras attended music classes in Cello, Music Theory and Orchestra. In September 2025 he relocated to New York and started private lessons with Boubacar Diallo.
In July 2023 Ektoras won the 1st prize, category A, at the 2023 Muse International Music Competition. In November 2023 he won the 1st prize, Junior category, at the 4th Panhellenic Music Competition “Tassos Pappas”. In April 2024 he was awarded the 1st prize, category A, at the 9th Panhellenic Music Competition Maria Cherogiorgou-Sigara held at the Megaron Athens Concert Hall under the auspices of the Gina Bachauer International Music Association.
Ektoras has appeared in concerts at his conservatory, as well as at other venues. In September 2023 he participated in the winners’ concert of the 2023 Muse International Music Competition, at the Athens Concert Hall. In November 2024 he participated in the laureates’ concert of the 4th Panhellenic Music Competition “Tassos Pappas” at the Bissell Library of ACT-American College of Thessaloniki. Also, in November 2024 he participated after auditioning in the concert “Young Talents” organized by the Association of Friends of Music of Thessaloniki at the Thessaloniki Concert Hall. In December 2024 he performed at a solo recital with works by Vivaldi, Bach, W.H. Squire, Goltermann and Saint-Saëns, at the New Conservatory of Thessaloniki.
Watch Ektoras Tsakalidis perform Allegro Appassionato, Op.43 by Camille Saint-Saëns on the cello for the 2025 Finale Music Competition as part of the Charleston International Music Competition.