Written by Ambre Montespan - Updated on Mar 2, 2026
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Have you heard one of Vasilis Vasiliou’s handpan covers? Do you have questions about this Cypriot percussionist? Want to know how he discovered this instrument and what his journey through the music world has been like?
After hearing Vasilis Vasiliou’s cover of "Carol of the Bells" more than five years ago, I was instantly intrigued by his talent. So I looked into his work in depth, and I’m going to walk you through the key milestones of his career.
In this article, you will learn:
- The biography of Vasilis Vasiliou
- The discography of this renowned handpan player
By the end, you’ll naturally feel closer to this musician and his artistic universe. You’ll also get a clearer sense of the kind of performances he shares with audiences.
Now, let’s take a closer look at Vasilis Vasiliou’s professional career.
Who is Vasilis Vasiliou, the handpan player?
Originally from Cyprus, Vasilis Vasiliou is a percussionist who first made a name for himself on the drums with his band TriCoolOre, a three-piece jazz group founded in 2013. TriCoolOre’s music blends different musical styles to create a unique soundscape, balancing the foundations of jazz with Mediterranean flavors. This collaboration led to two albums: Oregano Infused in 2015 and World Without Words in 2017.
It wasn’t until May 2016 that Vasilis Vasiliou discovered the handpan. It was love at first sight for the artist, who then devoted much of his time to learning this flying-saucer-shaped instrument. Within a year, he launched his own solo project, instinctively composing melodies on the handpan. He also paired the handpan with other percussion instruments he had mastered, most notably the drum kit.
At the beginning of summer 2017, Vasilis Vasiliou set off on a solo journey across Europe with his handpan. He traveled the streets of Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and France, playing his songs right out on the street, as Sam Maher and Daniel Waples had done before him. These nearly improvised street performances helped him form a unique bond with passersby and introduce a wide audience to the hypnotic sound of the handpan.
Back in Cyprus, Vasilis translated his travel experiences into his creations. In particular, he released the music video Three Bridges in 2017, filmed deep in the forests around the Paphos region, bringing to life the Venetian bridges hidden in the Cypriot countryside. In this dreamlike video, he is seen playing the handpan surrounded by cymbals and a cajón, creating an atmosphere that feels both airy and driving, drawing the listener in. You can listen to this piece directly in the video below:
In 2018, Vasilis Vasiliou began performing in the theater world, composing live music with his handpan and other percussion instruments. He participated in an adaptation of "Golfo" at Theatro Dentro in 2018, a production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" presented at the Kypria International Festival in 2022, and the ancient tragedy "Antigoni" at the International Festival of Ancient Greek Theater in 2023. In 2022, the percussionist formed a duo with musician Christina Polycarpou, a traditional lyre player. The duo performed at the Paradise Jazz Festival in Paphos, offering a bold performance where contemporary dance and experimental music meet.
Alongside all these activities, Vasilis Vasiliou’s popularity largely comes from his YouTube channel, where he regularly posts performances. His biggest hit remains his instrumental cover of "Carol of the Bells" played on the handpan, filmed inside the abandoned Berengaria hotel in the Cypriot mountains. The video has over 1.5 million views at the time of writing and helped the artist gain recognition far beyond his native island. Other videos are posted regularly, such as his cover of John Lennon’s Imagine filmed at the foot of a waterfall in Iceland, or his original track FeLine recorded in the majestic setting of De Haar Castle in the Netherlands.
Over the years, he has also shared the stage with leading figures in Cypriot and Greek music, such as singer Giorgos Dalaras, tenor Marios Frangoulis, and jazz singer Alexia Vasiliou, among others. You’ll often find Vasilis performing at festivals and concerts across Europe.
What is the discography of this percussionist and Hang drum player?
Although Vasilis Vasiliou has not released any albums, he has produced several singles that are available on various platforms such as Spotify. Among his most notable tracks are:
- Carol of the Bells: his cover of the traditional Christmas carol popularized by Mykola Leontovych.
- Three Bridges: an instrumental composition inspired by the Venetian bridges of Cyprus.
- FeLine – an original creation with feline and atmospheric melodies, with a music video shot in the Netherlands.
- Hijo de la luna: his cover of the famous song by Spanish band Mecano.
- Imagine: a moving interpretation of John Lennon's classic, gently transposed to the handpan.
Embark on a unique musical journey with a high-quality handpan
Vasilis Vasiliou’s career illustrates the rise of a passionate musician who has combined the rhythmic mastery of a percussionist with the melodic poetry of the handpan. From Cyprus to international stages, out on the street and online, he helps more and more people discover the unique sound of this still-young instrument. Thanks to this comprehensive article, you’ve now learned a lot more about the artist Vasilis Vasiliou.
However, if you’re looking to craft similar melodies for yourself or your friends and family, it’s important to choose a quality instrument that can truly meet your expectations. With this in mind, I highly recommend the Instruments du Monde store, which offers dozens of handpans in a wide range of scales and tunings so you can choose the one you genuinely connect with. For example, this handpan in the Ashakiran scale offers bright, joyful tones—ideal for warm, positive playing.
Ready to create your own uplifting melodies? Purchase this handpan and treat yourself to a unique musical experience—click on the image below now:
Still within the same realm of relaxation and meditation, it's also worth mentioning the career of Heidi Albert, another handpan player who also dedicates herself to this kind of practice. While not necessarily very well-known, she deserves greater recognition, as she is, in my humble opinion, part of a new generation of artists who will be the most talented with a handpan in the near future.
