I’m a singer-songwriter whose music blends modern pop with retro disco, soul, and funk influences while drawing inspiration from the traditions that shaped me. I’m half Cypriot and half Russian, but I was born and raised in a small town in Massachusetts, USA. Although I grew up in America, my Cypriot heritage has always been at the heart of who I am. Cypriot and Greek music were my earliest and most profound musical influences. My father would only allow me to listen to legendary artists such as Stelios Kazantzidis and Haris Alexiou throughout my childhood, long before I discovered artists like Michael Jackson. One of my favorite childhood lullabies was “Τζαμάικα (Jamaica),” which my father would sing to me. Years later, that same song became the piece I performed for my successful audition to Berklee College of Music, making it one of the most meaningful full-circle moments of my musical journey.
My musical path has taken me around the world. I began my training in classical voice before expanding into jazz, blues, and world music. I have studied and performed internationally, singing in jazz clubs, performing with blues bands and recording music in Russia, and playing Middle Eastern music with a youth orchestra in Palestine. Each experience has deepened my appreciation for the musical traditions of different cultures while strengthening my connection to my own heritage. As my artistry continues to evolve, I hope to incorporate more traditional folk elements from the many cultures I have encountered, especially those of Cyprus.
Nonetheless, I am American, and growing up in such a culturally diverse country has taught me to embrace and celebrate different traditions and perspectives. As I continue building my career in the Western music industry, I hope to create art that is bigger than myself and music that brings people together, honors the cultures that have shaped me, and introduces the beauty, history, and spirit of Cypriot heritage to audiences around the world.
