William Koutsouros

William Koutsouros

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Bill Koutsouros writes, “Throughout my life music has always surrounded me and is an essential part of who I am. I grew up with my father playing guitar professionally in several Greek and Middle Eastern Ensembles. In addition, my mother was among the top traditional belly dancers in the Philadelphia area throughout the 1970’s and 80’s. As a result, it seemed only natural that I follow in the musical path of my parents. My musical journey really began at age 15 with my first red electric guitar. Soon after, I formed a high school rock band, Black Rainbow. Playing original music and jamming around the Philadelphia area into my college years inspired me to open my mind and learn about music from all over the world. I became particularly interested in Greek, Middle Eastern, and Indian music. As a result, I began teaching myself to play the Bouzouki, a Greek Lute, the Oud, an Arabic lute, and the Doumbek, a goblet shaped Egyptian drum.”

In 1995, Bill Koutsouros formed the ensemble Animus. Starting as an acoustic duo, Animus has since evolved into an original world fusion music and dance ensemble, which blends culturally diverse musical concepts found in: Greek, Blues, Middle Eastern, Jazz, Spanish, Funk, Latin, Rock, Indian, Jewish Klezmer, and African music, to create a sound that takes "World Fusion" to new dimensions and extremes. Bill composes music to stimulate the body, mind, and soul of the listener, seeking freedom from musical boundaries and striving for diverse compositional arrangements that utilize an endless variety of modes, grooves and rhythms. As an instructor, Bill instills in his students an appreciation of the rich diversity of musical forms and traditions from around the world. He also focuses on the importance of a wide musical vocabulary, technique, creativity and the development of a personal musical voice and expression.

Currently, Bill plays the Bouzouki, Doumbek, Guitar, Oud, and the Riq in Animus and provides private and group instruction on those Greek and Middle Eastern instruments. His other musical endeavors include music residencies through Philadelphia Arts in Education Partnership, and performing with Musicopia’s Spice Route Ensemble, Children’s World Music Express, The Feztones, and The Sally Mitlas Orchestra among others. Bill Koustouros’s main musical focus, Animus, has been nominated for Best Roots/ World Music Performer 2000-2002 and for “Best Local Band 2006” by the Philadelphia City Paper Choice Awards. Animus has performed in Kenya with the Angels of Harmony Gospel Choir and toured the United States. Animus mainly performs in the tri-state area at festivals, private events and premier venues such as the Kimmel Center, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Trocadero Theater and World Café Live.

The Spice Route Ensemble conducts Musicopia’s Journey Into Middle Eastern Music assembly and residency programs for students of any age or ability.

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