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Leonidas Kourmadas is a Greek-Australian composer of contemporary classical music, born in Athens, Greece, in 1958. He began playing the guitar at the age of ten, initially as a self-taught musician. He later attended the National Conservatorium of Athens from Septmber 1976 to June 1979, where he studied music theory, traditional harmony, piano, and guitar. From September 1979 to June 1980, he went to London to continue his music studies, while simultaneously working as a freelance musician. At the end of 1980, he temporarily interrupted his music studies for two years to complete his military sercive. After completing his service, he resumed his music studies in traditional harmony with composer Michael Travlos at the Nikos Skalkotas Conseratorium in Athens.

In 1984, he moved to Australia, where he studied at the University of New England, graduating with an Advanced Diploma in Arts and a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Modern Greek (Language & Literature) and Music. Simultaneously, he privately studied piano with Daniel Herscoviitch, a pianist and Associate Professor in the Music Department at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and contemporary harmony and counterpoint with Dr. Eric Gross, a composer and Associate Proferssor in the Music Department at the University of Sydney.

He became an Australian citizen in 1993 and continued his music studies at the Sydney Institute of Technology, where he received a Certificate III and a Diploma of Music in Contemporary Music Studies. He also holds a Certificate in Teaching (LOTE) from the University of New South Wales (Institure of Languages). After further study, Leonidas completed his Master of Music degree in Contemporary Composition at Excelsia University Colege (formerly Wesley Institute), under the supervision of Dr. Heva Chan. He was the recipient of the Master's Achievement Award and Awards of Excellence. His thesis was a portfolio of orginal compositions. In 2022, he earned a Fellowship Diploma in Music Composition (with Distinction) from the University of West London (London College of Music). This prestigious postgraduate diploma is the highest awarded by the University of West London and is equivalent to a Master's degree.

Throughout his career, Leonidas has composed works across various musical genres, ranging from solo instruments and chamber works to compositions for diverse ensembles and full orchestras. In 2025, his solo piano composition "Tsamikos" was included in the Australian Music Centre's HSC and VCE Repertoire List for piano. His music is deeply influenced by traditional Greek music, leading him to develop a personal style characterized by strong melodic lines, the exploration and combination of modal and tonal harmonic progressions, extended tonalities, and a blend of traditional yet complex Greek rhythms and intrumental combinations. His works have been published in Australia by Wirripang Pty Ltd and the Australian Music Centre.

The music of Leonidas Kourmadas has been performed at the Sydney Institute of Technology and the Excelsia University College Theatre (formerly Wesley Institute). In 2019, his String Quartet No. 1 was performed at the Mosman Art Gallery. He has performed as a freelance musician in Greece, England, and Australia. In 2005, he performed with a choir composed of students from three private Greek schools at the Sir Jonh Clancy Auditorium, University of New South Wales. In 2001, he performed with the St Spyridon Children's Choir, accompanied by the Western Youth Symphony Orchestra under the direction of George Ellis, at the City Recital Hall. Both concerts were organized by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.

Leonidas is a composer represented by the Australian Music Centre and a Full Writer Member of the Australasian Performing Right Association. He is also an Accredited Music Teacher in music theory, composition, and piano with both the Institute of Music Teachers and the Music Teachers' Association of NSW. Additionally, he is a registered Music Teacher with Australian Music Examinations Board. From 2006 to 2013, Leonidas was a member of the New South Wales Teachers Federation. With over 30 years of experience, he has taught piano, guitar, ukulele, and music theory across various private, public, and music schools, instructing both individuals and small groups.

In addition, Leonidas was a practicing Modern Greek teacher. From 1993 to 2015, he taught Modern Greek at Greek Orthodox Parish schools. In 2004 and 2005, he served as a Modern Greek teacher at the Saturday School of Community Languages under the NSW Department of Education and Training. He also worked as a voice performer for the Listening Skils components of the NSW HSC Online website for Modern Greek, collaborating with Charles Sturt University and the NSW Department of Education and Training. Leonidas resides in Sydney, Australia, and remains highly active in all aspects of music teaching and learning.

Leonidas Kourmadas - Australian Composers

Leonidas Kourmadas — current to June 2025