Is it a fiddle or a violin? A question Ileana Nikitakis is asked often, but only has one answer to: Both!
Ileana caters to a variety of styles including country, swing, bluegrass, and classical music.
Having grown up in Cologne, Germany in a musical household, Ileana started taking classical violin lessons at the age of six. She joined the first band at the age of ten; a cultural project, formed by the “SK Stiftung für Kultur” (SK Foundation of Culture), coached by Vassilios Nikitakis. The band was formed to keep the traditional music of Cologne alive and to pass it on to the younger generation. Throughout her teenage years, Ileana played in various formations of the band, as they explored various styles such as the traditional music of Cologne from the 20s through the 50s, blues, country, jazz, and world music. As part of her Greek heritage, Ileana grew up playing rebetiko music (a style of Greek music). Before she moved to Austin, TX in 2012, she played with Vassilios Nikitakis, Jimmy Kelly, and the Blue Armadillos, a duo she formed with Jan Flemming, while being coached by Vassilios Nikitakis to expand her musical knowledge.
Shortly after moving to Austin, TX in 2013, Ileana graduated with a degree in music, and played with the Nikis, a band she formed with her sister Alexia. Throughout the years, Ileana worked for several Country, Bluegrass and Swing bands as a fiddle player in Central Texas, as well as recording and playing solo violin at weddings and events. She played with the Drew Fish Band, Anthony Garcia, Allan Hendrickson, Jeremy Steding, and various other bands. Over the years, she recorded for The Merles, Allan Hendrickson, Hartley Hall, Hot Texas Swing Band, and more.
Growing up, Ileana Nikitakis listened to the music of the Del McCoury Band, Miles Davis, Carole King, Vivaldi, Vassar Clements, Alison Krauss, Itzhak Perlman, Stéphane Grappelli and many more. These different influences have shaped her way of approaching the instrument.
In recent years, Ileana mostly played country and western swing with various bands in Austin, Texas, but never lost touch with the music she grew up with: Rebetiko, the Blues, the music of Cologne and classical music. Her interest in a wide variety of musical genres was influenced by her father, Vassilios Nikitakis, who always encouraged her to listen to as many different fiddlers and violinists as possible. He also inspired her to study songwriting, guitar playing and jazz violin.
She currently teaches violin lessons, plays shows in Texas, and records for artists in various places. Ileana is also working on rediscovering the songs she wrote a long time ago…
Photo by Alexia Nikitakis