Here is Dino with Joe Witte.  Joe, a meteorologist on National TV, having a good time with his bouzouki he just purchased from Dio Dino.  Joe joined the rest of the students taking bouzouki lessons.

Biking by a bouzouki store.....

How did I discover Dino and George.... The Luthier and The Teacher? Pedaling around Astoria, exploring the Athens of America, my eyes zoomed in on a store window with bouzouki(s), baglamas and , tzouras. " Hmmm.... I've loved Greek music and dancing since college days in Seattle...I'm going to go in and look around".

Yes, Dio Dinos, a luthier, makes bouzoukis right here in Astoria! He invites me into his shop and shows me the details of a bouzouki he is

making.. the multi-wood neck, the ebony fingerboard, the inlay work. It's

going to be a masterpiece I can tell by look and by feel. . And then the clincher... he plays a few rembetika songs... and I am hooked. I have got to try this! I'll take some lessons and be a Markos.

Who can teach me? Right here in the same shop... a lesson area with George Vlesmas. George played with Trio Belcanto. I have a few records of theirs. And George is right here in Astoria... just a short bike ride from Manhattan.

So now after 2 years of lessons, I am a long way from being a Tsitsanis, very long way.. But the 20 to 60 minutes of practice is great therapy in this fast paced world. I look forward to lesson days, to chat with Dino and George, smell the wood, share a coffee, and learn some new fingerings. Dino and George are more than luthier and teacher... they are good friends.

Recently I watched Dino create the Silencer Bouzouki... perfect for my practicing at strange hours.

I occasionally hinted to Dino to come up with something that would be family-friendly for New York City apartments and less bulky for travel. And he did: the Silencer. Very cutting edge.

Next of course on my list is the Midibuz.....that will wake up my neighbors.

Stop by some day and ask for a song or two... you too might walk out with a bouzouki. Join us at our semi-annual recital. In a taverna setting with mousaka and retsina, each student plays a couple of songs, the kefi is high and we end up with some dancing.

Joe Witte