Performing Artists
Athanasios Kleopas-Arcadia
A Journey Through Time, Sound and Soul
Athanasios (Thanasis) Kleopas is a Greek composer, singer and master of the ancient Greek lyre whose music bridges antiquity and the present moment. Through his project Kleopas Arcadia, he creates immersive musical experiences where ancient melodies, evocative vocals and world music influences come together in a timeless dialogue.
For the GIC 2026, Kleopas Arcadia presents a unique performance in which the ancient Greek lyre meets the human voice and the earthy pulse of the clay Udu drum. Together, these sounds create a living connection to the wisdom, mythology, and spirit of ancient Greece, inviting listeners into a deeply meditative and transformative experience.
A self-taught and internationally acclaimed musician, Thanasis has performed across Europe, Asia, and North America, sharing his music in countries including Japan, India, Thailand, China, Germany, France, Portugal, Switzerland, Italy, and the United States. His artistic journey has brought him to cultural festivals, museums, international conferences, educational institutions, sacred spaces, and renowned events such as the Dolce & Gabbana Summer Show in Milan. He has also represented Greece as a musical ambassador at the Beijing Cultural Forum and performed at the Texas Eclipse Festival.
Deeply inspired by Greek musical heritage and the universal language of sound, Kleopas combines traditional melodies, original compositions, and the resonant voice of the ancient lyre to create music that is both rooted and expansive. His performances are more than concerts—they are journeys through history, emotion, and collective memory.
With every note and every breath, Athanasios Kleopas invites audiences to reconnect with the primal pulse of life and the enduring power of music to unite, heal, and inspire.
Griet Verstraete
Homecoming : Re-Connecting to Self
A journey of movement, breath and embodied awareness.
In this immersive workshop, Griet invites participants to return to the wisdom of the body and rediscover the deeper sense of connection that emerges when we are fully present with ourselves. Through conscious dance, mindful movement, breath and relational exploration, participants are guided into an experience of coming home—to themselves, to one another and to the greater web of life.
Rooted in the Open Floor movement practice, Homecoming offers a dynamic and accessible pathway into embodied self-awareness. As movement becomes meditation and expression becomes inquiry, participants are invited to explore new possibilities for resilience, authenticity and freedom. Through rhythm, breath and conscious presence, the workshop opens a space where personal transformation and collective connection naturally unfold.
Griet is an internationally respected breathwork trainer, somatic therapist, mentor, and movement facilitator whose work spans the fields of breath, trauma integration, embodiment, and personal transformation. For more than fifteen years, she has been teaching and mentoring practitioners throughout Europe, supporting both personal and professional development through deeply embodied approaches to healing and growth.
As an accredited trainer in Integrative Somatic Breathwork and a certified Open Floor Movement Teacher and Therapy-in-Motion Practitioner, Griet brings together a rich background in breathwork therapy, dance and movement modalities, attachment-informed practice, nervous system regulation, and trauma-sensitive care. She is also the co-creator of the Wheel of Life School, an innovative learning platform offering training in self-development, self-leadership, and embodied transformation.
Her work is grounded in the belief that lasting change emerges not through concepts alone, but through lived, embodied experience. Known for her warmth, clarity, and depth, Griet creates learning environments that are both compassionate and transformative, empowering individuals to access their innate resources, strengthen self-leadership, and cultivate greater wholeness in their lives.
Myrto Tzantarma
DJ Retro Vibe Tunes
Music has the power to bring us together, awaken memories, and reconnect us with the joy of being fully alive. Through her carefully curated retro-inspired sets, Myrto Tzantarma creates vibrant spaces where movement, celebration, and human connection naturally unfold.
Based in the historic port city of Piraeus, Greece, Myrto has been working as a DJ since 2012, sharing her love of music in venues, gatherings, and community events throughout Athens and Piraeus. Her eclectic musical style blends timeless classics, uplifting rhythms, and feel-good grooves that invite people onto the dance floor and into a shared experience of presence and celebration.
Alongside her passion for music, Myrto has maintained a longstanding interest in personal growth, alternative approaches to wellbeing, and the transformative potential of conscious self-exploration. Her first encounter with rebirthing breathwork more than a decade ago opened a path of deeper inquiry into connection, awareness, and the human experience.
At the GIC 2026, Myrto brings her unique ability to create atmosphere through music—offering participants an opportunity to relax, connect, dance, and celebrate together. Her sets are more than a soundtrack; they are an invitation to journey through memory, emotion, and collective joy, reminding us that coming home can sometimes begin with a familiar melody and a shared rhythm.
Stefanos Tharrenos & Ensemble
The Sounds of Greece
The GIC 2026 invites participants on a captivating musical journey through the heart of Greece with Stefanos Tharrenos and Ensemble—an accomplished group of musicians dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich legacy of Greek music.
Led by violinist and vocalist Stefanos Tharrenos, the ensemble brings together outstanding performers whose shared passion for Greek folk and traditional music creates an authentic and vibrant live experience. The group features Nomiki Stappa (vocals), Thanasis Angelis (bouzouki, vocals), Giannis Konstantadakis (drums and percussion), and Nikos Taralis (keyboards), each contributing their unique artistry to a sound that is both deeply rooted in tradition and alive with contemporary energy.
For the conference celebration evening, the ensemble will present a specially curated program honoring some of Greece’s most beloved musical treasures. Through timeless melodies and iconic songs, participants will be invited to experience the emotional depth, poetic beauty, and cultural richness of Greek music.
The repertoire pays tribute to legendary composers including Manos Hadjidakis, Mikis Theodorakis, Giannis Markopoulos, and Stavros Xarhakos, alongside cherished folk and traditional songs that have connected generations of Greeks through shared stories, memories, and celebration.
Blending nostalgia, passion, and joyful participation, this performance offers more than a concert—it is an invitation into the living spirit of Greece. Through music, rhythm, and song, the evening will create a space where culture, community, and human connection come together in a celebration of life.
Valia Zoppa & Band
A Celebration of Greek Music, Culture, and Connection
Music has a unique ability to transcend language, unite cultures, and bring people together in moments of shared joy. At the GIC 2026, Valia Zoppa and her band invite participants into an unforgettable celebration of Greek musical heritage, vibrant rhythms, and heartfelt connection.
Valia Zoppa is an accomplished vocalist, musician, and performer with extensive experience in concerts, conferences, weddings, and international events. Having studied music and vocal performance, she has built a versatile career spanning Greece, Switzerland, and France, captivating audiences with her expressive voice and dynamic stage presence.
Known for her ability to perform in multiple languages—including Greek, English, French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese—Valia moves effortlessly across musical styles and generations. Her repertoire embraces beloved classics from the 1950s through today, reflecting her passion for creating inclusive musical experiences that resonate with diverse audiences. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with numerous artists across Greece and Europe and has released two recorded albums.
For this special conference performance, Valia will be joined by a distinguished ensemble of musicians with whom she has shared the stage for many years. Together, they will present a rich musical journey from the Greek islands, inviting participants not only to listen, but to experience Greek culture through movement, celebration, and community. With opportunities for dancing, participation, and joyful connection, the performance reflects the living spirit of Greek tradition—warm, welcoming, and deeply human.
Blending artistry, authenticity, and celebration, Valia Zoppa & Band create an atmosphere where music becomes a bridge between cultures and a shared expression of joy, belonging, and togetherness.
