Born in Ioannina, Greece, Irene Ketikidi started playing electric guitar at the age of 15. Initially captivated by the playing of Eddie Van Halen, Joe Satriani and Eric Johnson, Irene took some lessons from a local teacher, developing the basic skills and spending the first couple of years working out her favourite tracks by ear and jamming with bands.
In 2001, Irene relocated to Athens, where she studied music at the Philippos Nakas Conservatory, part of the Berklee international network partners, allowing her to expand her knowledge of music and graduating with a diploma in harmony&theory in 2003. During this time she complimented her academic studies with private lessons with Theodore Ziras, one of Greece’s top rock/metal instructors where she started to develop the knowledge and techniques of the modern rock style. By this time, influences were expanding to include Steve Morse, Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai, Richie Kotzen and Michael Romeo, as well as classic blues and rock legends such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
In 2007, Irene relocated to the UK to attend London’s prestigious Guitar Institute (I.C.M.P), studying with some of the UK’s finest teachers including Iain Scott, Lee Hodgson and Dario Cortese, and graduating in 2009 with a Bmus degree and a level 6 Licentiate in teaching music. From 2008 onwards, Irene supplemented her studies with additional private lessons from I.C.M.P instructor and leading UK rock/metal specialist Martin Goulding, where she completed a 2 year advanced modern rock improvisation/technique course.
Since graduating, Irene has been working professionally within a range of diverse contemporary music styles including gigging and touring with pop singer Cherry Lee Mewis, punk/rock tribute act “The Femones,” as a session guitarist for London musical “Bob’s Women” and many guest solo spots with bands and artists, most recently for Greek metal act “In Utero Cannibalism,” and alongside top Greek rock/metal virtuosos Anthimos Manti, Kosta Vreto, George Marios, Gus Drax and Theodore Ziras. Irene has also contributed tuition columns to the Guitar Website Live4Guitar.com and was guest instructor and course writer at the 2010 and 2011 International Guitar Foundation courses in London.
In November 2010, Irene won the I.C.M.P competition to play in front of Steve Vai as part of the Guitar Nation event at London’s Olympia, where she showcased her instrumental tune “Rambler,” prompting such comments as:
“Very melodic playing, and some great chops too” Steve Vai
And from some exclusive onlookers:
“Irene has great tone, feel and technique, and the song she played wasn’t just an excuse for look-how-fast-I-can-play widdling but stood up as a composition too.” Neil Murray (Bass player for Black Sabbath/Brian May/Whitesnake/Gary Moore etc)
“I first saw Irene play at the Guitar Nation show at Olympia in London – in front of a lot of well-known players, including Steve Vai – She performed with great confidence, feel and control and has a good, solid technique. I am positive she will do very well if she keeps up this good work – I am very impressed” Phil Hilborne (one of the UK’s most respected teacher/player/ magazine columnist)
Irene divides her time between gigging, teaching and writing and is currently working on her first guitar instrumental album which will feature her own unique blend of melody, virtuosity and songwriting skills. She is also a member of the UK metal band GraVil, who are about to release their first album in 2012, having already received great reviews for their 2009 Age of Corruption EP.
