Vangelis Kotsou was born in Athens to parents from Epirus who instilled in him the traditions, customs, and especially the folk music of Epirus, with a particular focus on Epirotic polyphonic songs. His family roots trace back to Ktismata in Pogoni, a village renowned for its polyphonic singing.

He had the privilege of having as his grandfather Spyros Matsias, a legendary figure in polyphonic singing. He spent all his school holidays in Ktismata, apprenticing alongside his grandfather, listening to and singing authentic Epirotic polyphonic songs. He represents the fourth generation of the Matsias family’s polyphonic singing tradition.

At the age of seven, he joined the Children’s Choir of the Municipality of Athens. His talent earned him a scholarship to the National Conservatory of Athens (Manolis Kalomiris), where he pursued 17 years of studies in classical singing, music history, orchestration and conducting, composition, music theory, and harmony. Meanwhile, he performed as a singer in polyphonic ensembles and traditional music groups at performances, concerts, and festivals in Greece and abroad.

He has participated in numerous traditional music performances, including at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the Athens Concert Hall (Megaron), and international venues in Spain, Italy, the USA, and Germany. Notably, he took part in the production “And with light and with death unceasingly” at the Athens Concert Hall, directed by Costa-Gavras, and in events organized by the World Music Institute in the USA.

He has received many awards as a traditional and polyphonic singer.

Since 1990, he has been teaching polyphonic and traditional singing as well as choir direction.

Since 1995, he has led the polyphonic group Ktismaton.

He has an extensive body of research and published work.

Today, he continues his musical and cultural journey as a conductor of traditional music ensembles, leader and singer of polyphonic groups, teacher of polyphonic singing, traditional singer, music production supervisor, author, and researcher.

In 2010, he served as a polyphonic singing instructor at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in the Department of Musicology.

Through his dynamic presence, he continues the tradition of the musicians and singers of Epirus and greater Greece, both nationally and internationally.