He started his cello and academic studies in his hometown. He obtained the Diploma of Harmony with Distinction in 1994 and the Diploma of Cello with Distinction and First Prize in 1996. In 1996 Vassilis was admitted to the Royal Academy of Music to study with David Strange. He graduated in June 2000 and was awarded the Bachelor of Music (London) degree with the grade of First Class Honours. He continued his studies at the Master of Music course under the tuition of Colin Carr receiving a scholarship from the Friends of Music of Athens. He graduated in June 2003 with the grade of merit. During his studies he was awarded several prizes including the Herbert Wallen and Sir John Barbirolli cello prizes. He has participated in masterclasses and chamber music courses given by various soloists (including Aldo Parisot, Robert Cohen, Paul Watkins and the pianist Gyorgy Sebok). Vassilis has performed as a soloist with both the State and Municipal Orchestras in Thessaloniki, the Athens State Symphony Orchestra, the Symphony Orchestra of the Academy of Detmold in Larissa, Greece, and the Symphony Orchestra in Haskovo, Bulgaria. He has also performed in solo recitals and chamber music concerts in Greece (Athens, Thessaloniki and elsewhere) and England (London, Essex, Surrey, Kent, Cheltenham and Plymouth). In the summer of 1999 he was appointed principal cellist of the European Union Youth Orchestra and performed throughout Europe under Sir Colin Davis and Bernard Haitink in venues such as the Cite de la Musique in Paris, the Concertgebow in Amsterdam and the Royal Albert Hall in London, the last concert being broadcasted live on BBC television. In October 1999 he was invited to lead the cello section of the United World Philarmonic Youth Orchestra and performed in the Beethovenhalle in Bohn for the United Nations Climate Change Conference, playing, among other repertoire, the solo part of Bachiana Brasiliera No.5 by Villa-Lobos. During the 2000-2001 academic year he took part in the London Symphony Orchestra String Experience Scheme, rehearsing and performing with the LSO. Since June 2002 Vassilis has been holding the position of principal cellist of the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra