Michalis Keffalas (1966, Athens) is a doctor of musical composition (Goldsmiths University of London).

He studied music at Greek conservatories (Diploma in composition, Th. Antoniou) and at the British Open University (Dip. Mus., BA). In 1994 he established the “AlypiosMusic School in Korydallos (Piraeus). In 1996 he was appointed music teacher in primary schools. From 1999 he specialized in composition at the Universities of York (MA, D. Blake) and Goldsmiths London (PhD, R. Redgate) on a five-year educational leave (scholarship) granted by the Greek Ministry of Education.

He has been awarded a scholarship by the I.D. Pateras Panchiakon Foundation and a grant from Avra Shipmanagement S.A. of N. Lemos. He won First prize in the 2000 competition Young Composers of Next Generation in the Athens Concert Hall, Second prize in his final examinations in composition, Second prize (song with orchestral accompaniment) and Third prize (chamber music) in the 2008 International Composition Competition of Volos.Works of his were selected for performance at the 2nd Alfeo Gigli International Festival of Composition in Italy and for the final examinations of Brussels Conservatoire in Belgium.

His work includes more than 70 compositions of music for children, song cycles, chamber music, incidental music for theatrical plays and orchestral music. His research interests range from science fiction opera and the harmony of the spheres to the music education of people with special needs and of immigrants. He has authored A Handbook for Entrance Examinations to Music Departments of Universities, The Microcosm of Manos Hadjidakis, Works 2000-2004 and Rembetiko in Schools. He is now artistic director of Municipal Conservatory of Hymittos (Athens).

The work Five Images for oboe, clarinet and bassoon was composed in 2008. Its duration is approximately ten minutes and it requires expressive rather, than technical skills. It is based on five paintings by Norway’s artist Edvard Munch, which vary in style and character: 1. The Sick Child, 2. Madonna, 3. Scream, 4. Melancholy and 5. The Dance of Life. Each of the five paintings has unique texts written by Munch himself. These texts have been used as an additional inspiration for the composer. Furthermore, the work constitutes a kind of treatise on Pictures at an Exhibition by the well known Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky. However, it was created mostly to please the composer himself and his audience rather, than to expand the musical language and introduce avant-garde novelties.