Natalia Michailidou is an internationally renowned pianist celebrated for her expressive artistry, global performances, and influential role as an educator and festival cofounder.

Natalia Michailidou was born in Istanbul. She began studying piano with her mother and gave her first recital at the age of 5.  

With a scholarship from the French government, she studied at the École Normale de Musique in Paris, graduating at the age of 17 with the highest diploma with special distinction. She continued her studies at Washington University (USA), where she obtained a Master’s degree.  

Michailidou has given concerts in cities across the U.S., Europe, Asia, and the former Soviet Union. She has performed at international festivals and collaborated with world-renowned conductors and soloists. As a soloist, she has performed with the symphony orchestras of Istanbul, Seoul, Busan (South Korea), Santa Cecilia (Rome), Moscow Radio, Athens State Orchestra, the Thessaloniki State Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra of the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT), Camerata, the Orchestra of Colors, and Orchestre Colonne (Paris), among others. Many of her concerts have been broadcast live.  

Despite her specialization in French music, her pianistic mastery spans an extensive repertoire. Several composers have dedicated works to her, which she has premiered in world-first performances. She has collaborated extensively with composer Eleni Karaindrou and filmmaker Theodoros Angelopoulos.  

Michailidou has taught seminars in Greece and at universities abroad. She is a faculty member at the Athens Conservatory, the Nikos Skalkottas Conservatory, and the École Normale de Musique de Paris and frequently serves as a jury member of international piano competitions worldwide.  

She has received the Record Award from the Association of Greek Critics. From 2010 to 2025, Michailidou was president of E.P.T.A. Hellas (European Piano Teachers Association). Since 2016, she has been teaching in the postgraduate program at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She is cofounder of the Koufonisia Classical Music Festival.