Fotis Yiannopoulos born in Greece.
His parents started him on trumpet, guitar and piano lessons but Fotis was constantly gravitating toward the drums.
His background includes a variety of drumming experiences. He has gained a scholarship to Berklee College of Music. He moved in Los Angeles California and graduated from the Los Angeles Music College where he studied with the following top-shelf drum set educators: Ralph Humphrey, Joe Porcaro, Mike Shapiro, Mike Packer, Mark Schulman, Tony Inzalaco, Aaron Serfaty, Glen Sobel, Sherman Ferguson, Jerry Steinholtz, Bruce Becker,
Toss Panos, Emil Richard and others.
Famed for his knowledge of the Drum set technique. He has private lessons with Drum legends:
Jim Chapin, Joe Morello, Fredy Gruber. Also he has private lessons with Jojo Mayer, Bruce Becker, Cliff Almond, Kostas Anastasiadis, Riccardo Merlini, Casey Scheuerell, Steve Hass, Nikos Papadimitropoulos, Nikos Touliatos, Yiannis Stavropoulos, Takis Heliotis, Kostas Vamvas Stefanos Logothetis.
He has attended seminars: Mark Guiliana, Vinnie Colaiuta, Gergo Borlai, Eric Moore, Dave Weckl, Steve Gadd, Gary Novak, Gary Chaffee, Akira Jimbo, Dennis Chambers, Chad Smith, Marvin "Smitty" Smith, Gregg Bissonette, Trilok Gurtu, Steve Smith, Virgil Donati, Chad Wackerman, David Garibaldi, Kenwood Dennard, Thomas Lang, Billy Cobham, Louie Bellson, Max Roach, etc.
He has participated in the LA music academy fusion and rock ensemble. He has taught most Greeks professional drummers, on technical issues.
He has collaborated with many Greek artists in live performances, world tours, in studio and TV shows. In addition to his performing career Fotis teaches and heads the drum department at the Drum Mania Drums Institute www.drummania.eu where he belongs, with many students!
