Dino Kartsonakis
Encyclopedia
Dino Kartsonakis is an accomplished sacred pianist
of Greek
heritage.
and attended Glad Tidings Tabernacle. He began playing his grandmother's piano at the age of three. The first song he had learned was "At the Cross." He was enrolled in piano lessons at age five. Dino received his professional training at The King's College as well as the Juilliard School
of Music. For many years he served as pianist for the evangelist Kathryn Kuhlman
. Dino has traveled extensively and produced well over 50 recordings on his own as well as mainstream labels. He has worked with various other evangelists.
Dino has hosted two television shows, the "Dino and Debby Show" in the 1970s with his first wife Deborah and "The Dino Show" which presently airs weekly on the Trinity Broadcasting Network
. Dino has described his style as combining the classical and the sacred. His technique has been described as fluid and brilliant and he has been termed the "Christian Liberace" because of his flair, costumes, pianos and jewelry.
Many of his works are religious-based or contemporary arrangements of classical works. Dino also performs in his own show in Branson, Missouri
. Among his accomplishments is production of what is known as the "Peace Series", a collection of CDs featuring more subdued piano arrangements against a backdrop of nature sounds.
Dino performed at Carnegie Hall
on December 15, 2005. He has participated in an auction benefiting Music Cares, a charitable organization that helps struggling musicians and entertainers.
In 1986 Dino married his current wife, Cheryl. Cheryl Kartsonakis is sister to gospel singer Gary McSpadden (formerly of The Imperials
and the Gaither Vocal Band
). Cheryl has a daughter, Cherie, from a previous marriage.
Dove Awards:
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
of Greek
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
heritage.
Biography
Dino was born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and attended Glad Tidings Tabernacle. He began playing his grandmother's piano at the age of three. The first song he had learned was "At the Cross." He was enrolled in piano lessons at age five. Dino received his professional training at The King's College as well as the Juilliard School
Juilliard School
The Juilliard School, located at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, United States, is a performing arts conservatory which was established in 1905...
of Music. For many years he served as pianist for the evangelist Kathryn Kuhlman
Kathryn Kuhlman
Kathryn Johanna Kuhlman was an American faith healer and evangelist.-Early life:Kathryn Johanna Kuhlman was born in Concordia, Missouri, to German-American parents...
. Dino has traveled extensively and produced well over 50 recordings on his own as well as mainstream labels. He has worked with various other evangelists.
Dino has hosted two television shows, the "Dino and Debby Show" in the 1970s with his first wife Deborah and "The Dino Show" which presently airs weekly on the Trinity Broadcasting Network
Trinity Broadcasting Network
The Trinity Broadcasting Network is a major American Christian television network. TBN is based in Costa Mesa, California, with auxiliary studio facilities in Irving, Texas; Hendersonville, Tennessee; Gadsden, Alabama; Decatur, Georgia; Miami, Florida; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Orlando, Florida; and New...
. Dino has described his style as combining the classical and the sacred. His technique has been described as fluid and brilliant and he has been termed the "Christian Liberace" because of his flair, costumes, pianos and jewelry.
Many of his works are religious-based or contemporary arrangements of classical works. Dino also performs in his own show in Branson, Missouri
Branson, Missouri
Branson is a city in Taney County in the U.S. state of Missouri. It was named after Reuben Branson, postmaster and operator of a general store in the area in the 1880s....
. Among his accomplishments is production of what is known as the "Peace Series", a collection of CDs featuring more subdued piano arrangements against a backdrop of nature sounds.
Dino performed at Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States, located at 881 Seventh Avenue, occupying the east stretch of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street and West 57th Street, two blocks south of Central Park....
on December 15, 2005. He has participated in an auction benefiting Music Cares, a charitable organization that helps struggling musicians and entertainers.
Personal life
Dino's first wife was Deborah Marie Keener, whom he married in 1976. They have a daughter named Christina. Dino and Debby subsequently divorced a few years later. Christina Kartsonakis is a singer/songwriter/producer and has been featured on several mainstream projects.In 1986 Dino married his current wife, Cheryl. Cheryl Kartsonakis is sister to gospel singer Gary McSpadden (formerly of The Imperials
The Imperials
The Imperials are an American Christian music group that has been around for over 45 years. Originating as a southern gospel quartet, the innovative group would become pioneers of contemporary Christian music in the 1960s. There have been many changes for the band in membership and musical styles...
and the Gaither Vocal Band
Gaither Vocal Band
The Gaither Vocal Band is a Grammy award-winning Christian music vocal group, headed by Bill Gaither. They originally recorded contemporary Christian music, but after the popularity of the Gaither Homecoming videos, the group has become known for southern gospel.-Group history:The Gaither Vocal...
). Cheryl has a daughter, Cherie, from a previous marriage.
GMA awards
Eight Gospel Music AssociationGospel Music Association
The Gospel Music Association was founded in 1964 for the purpose of supporting and promoting the development of all forms of Gospel music. There are currently about 4,000 members worldwide...
Dove Awards:
- 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1986: Instrumentalist of the Year
- 1993, 1996: Instrumental Album of the Year
Discography
- 1963: No Greater Love
- 1964: Request by Dino
- 1972: Alleluia
- 1972: Kathryn Kuhlman Presents Dino
- 1973: The Miracle with David Rose
- 1973: With Love from Dino
- 1974: He Touched Me
- 1974: Salute to the United States of America
- 1975: My Tribute
- 1976: Folk Musical Themes
- 1977: Classic Country
- 1977: Piano Portrait
- 1978: Dino on Tour
- 1978: Love Song
- 1979: Just Piano Praise
- 1979: Rise Again
- 1980: Rush Hour
- 1981: Just Piano Praise II
- 1982: Just Piano Praise III
- 1983: Chariots of Fire
- 1983: Majesty
- 1984: A Christmas Gift
- 1984: Great is the Lord
- 1985: Regal Reign
- 1986: A Place For Us
- 1987: A Wonderful Time of the Year
- 1988: Dino Kartsonakis
- 1989: Peace in the Midst of the Storm
- 1990: All Creation Sings
- 1991: Majestic Peace
- 1992: Somewhere in Time
- 1993: Rhythm of Peace
- 1994: Miracles
- 1995: Classical Peace
- 1996: Quiet Time
- 1997: Moonlight Sonata
- 1997: The Apostle Soundtrack
- 1997: The Lord's Prayer
- 1997: Unforgettable
- 1998: A Christmas Celebration
- 1999: Quiet Romance
- 2000: Quiet Inspiration
- 2002: Somewhere in Christmastime
- 2007: Birthday of the King
Compilations
- 1976: Christmas with Dino
- 1985: Encore
- 1998: Dino Collector's Series
- 2007: Sacred Piano Hymns
Video
- 1987: A Concert Spectacular
- 1998: Music For All Time
- 2000: Christmas Extravaganza
- 2002: Easter Spring Spectacular
- 2007: Birthday of the King