Despina Betini was born in Athens. She studied piano and advanced theory at Attiko Conservatory, Athens, with the renowned pianist Dimitris Toufexis and composer Ioannis Christophilos, and received her Piano Diploma with distinction of 1st Prize, as well as Harmony and Counterpoint Diplomas with distinction. Despina also studied at the American College of Greece (Deree) and received her BA in Music in 2002 with distinction.

Upon graduation, Despina moved to the UK where she studied piano with the distinguished pianist, David Murray, at University of Newcastle and was awarded her Masters Degree in Performance (MMus) with European Social Funding in 2004. She later attended University of Durham to receive her Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in Music in 2006.

Despina has attended several Masterclasses in Greece and England with renowned pianists, such as Dimitri Toufexis, Orsolya Szabo, George Hatzinikos and Sarah Beth Briggs. She also attended the Kodály Music Institute’s Pedagogy Summer Course, Hungary in 2003.

She has worked with NEMCO (North-East Musicians Co-operative), teaching piano at secondary schools, Newcastle, in 2006-8. At the same time, she played the organ in Allen Memorial Methodist Church for Sunday services. She has also collaborated with the International Piano Magazine, publishing articles on John Cage’s Prepared Piano. She has taught  music in various schools including the British International School of Istanbul.

Emre Aki was born in Istanbul. He started classical guitar and theory at the age of thirteen at Timur Selçuk Music School. Emre moved to Newcastle upon Tyne in 1996 to continue his music studies. He initially received classical guitar tuition with Alan Robertson and moved on advanced guitar performance and composition studies with Gilbert Biberian, the internationally renowned classical guitarist and composer.

He has also received lessons in chamber music with David Murray, and cello with Tabitha Tuckett.

Emre obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Music Production in 2003 and in 2006 he graduated from the University of Newcastle with BA in Music (Composition and Performance). During his final year he conducted the University’s Medical School Orchestra.

Emre later studied at the University of Durham obtaining his Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in Music in 2007 and taught composition and music technology at several schools in NE England.

Emre has attended Masterclasses by renowned soloists Carlo Domeniconi, Emmanuel Segre and Orsolya Szabo. In addition to performing, he has also presented some of his compositions for various ensembles at Newcastle University.  He has taught music  at the  British International School of Istanbul teaching music at secondary and IB level (International Baccalaureate).

Their ever expanding repertory includes compositions by M. Castelnuovo-Tedesco, M. Ponce, A. Vivaldi, C. M. von Weber, J. Rodrigo, G. Biberian, A. Piazzolla, F. Carulli, L. Boccherini, F. Schubert, F. Molino, P. Demopoulos, E. Marchelie.