Alex Panayi

Biography

- Education

1990-1993. Bachelor of Music in vocal performance, Berklee College of Music (Magna Cum Laude) Studied with Mili Bermejo, Luz Bermejo, Livingston Taylor, Sharon Brown, Maggie Scott and Bob Stoloff.

1981-1988. Graduate of The English School, Nicosia. Acquired 9 GCE “O” Levels and 4 GCE “A” Levels from the University of London.

-Awards

1991-1993 Recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship to study music in the U.S.

1993 The “Outstanding Performer Award”, Berklee College of Music, Boston, Massachusetts.

1992 The “Outstanding Musicianship Award”, International Association of Jazz Educators (i.a.j.e.), San Antonio, Texas.

-Work Experience

1995-2006. Performs live with many Greek composers and singers.

2000-2006. Private vocal teacher/ coach for top Greek singers such as Anna Vissi, Nino and Peggy Zena.

2006. Appointed Artistic Director by the Maltese Song Committee, responsible for the presentation of the song “I Do” at the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest in Athens.

2006. Appointed Artistic Director CyBC (PIK) for the Final of the Cypriot National Selection of the song that will represent Cyprus at the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest in Athens.

2005-2006. Vocal arranger for Helena Paparizou and Peggy Zina, live and television.

1995-2006. Performs in the Greek versions of many Disney, DreamWorks and Fox movies. Some highlights are “Tarzan 1&2” “Brother Bear” (the Phil Collins songs), “Home on The Range” (the yodeling songs), “Mulan” (Shang), “The Little Mermaid” (Chef), “The Hunchback of Notre Dame 2” (Quasimodo), “The Emperor’s New Groove” (Tom Jones’ songs), “The Tigger Movie” (Tigger), “The Goofy Movie” (Max), “Lady and the Tamp 2” (Scamp), “The Prince of Egypt” (Jethro).

1995-2006. Musical directed the Greek versions of many Disney movies, such as “Peter Pan”, “The Little Mermaid”, “Beauty and the Beast Enchanted Christmas”, “Cinderella”.

1995-2006. Works as a studio session vocalist for all Greek record companies. Permanent collaborations with all leading composers/arrangers.

2005. Represents Greece and wins the Eurovision Song Contest in Kiev with Helena Paparizou, bringing the contest to Greece.

2004. Records “Native Hue”, a CD of Eurovision Covers in 12 different Musical Styles and Languages in collaboration with Pianist/Arranger Matheson J. Bayley.

2004. Vocal arranger and producer for the award winning Gold CD “Kalomoira” (Heaven Music).

2004. Vocal arranger and producer for the Hi5 “Makrya apo afti ti gi” album. (Warner).

2001-2002. Originates the lead roles of Moses and Abraham in the Musical “Mala”, at the Pallas Theatre, Athens.

2000. Represents Cyprus at the Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm, Sweden as performer and composer with the song “Nomiza”, released by V2 Records.

1997-1998. Plays the lead role of “Kennickie” at the Athens production of the musical “Grease”, Vembo theatre.

1995. Represents Cyprus at the Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin, Ireland as performer, composer and lyricist, with the song “Sti Fotia”, released by Sony Music.

1994. Main soloist at the “Herodion” theatre at the Acropolis, Athens in a musical performance called “Ars Musica”. The performance has been released on CD.

1993-1994. Vocal/choral instructor for the Boston Conservatory.

1990-1994. Member, soloist and vocal arranger of the choral groups “Vocal Summit” (a jazz, free improvisation, and theatrical a capella group led by Bob Stoloff), and “The College Singers” (a contemporary classical ensemble). Toured the USA with both. Activities with the “Vocal Summit” included giving clinics about spontaneous vocal improvisation using words and reactions from the audience as well as collaborating between members to create melody, rhythm and harmony. The clinic in San Antonio, Texas was attended by the “New York Voices”, among other performers and educators.

1990-1993. While at College performs in most concerts organized by the school, the highlights of which were collaborations with Billy Joel, Gary Burton, Peter Erskine, The Manhattan Transfer, and Johnny Mandel.

1990-1993. Performs in musicals, operas, and operettas in Boston, Massachusetts, such as the world Premiere of the Leroy Jenkins opera “Faust” (Romulus, Boston Center for the Arts), the MIT productions of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Ruddigore” (Sir Ruddigore) and “Princess Ida” (Florian), the Berklee College Of Music theatre productions of “Into the Woods” (Rapunzel’s Prince), “Little Shop of Horrors” (Seymour).

-Other

Musical Instruments: Pianoforte (Grade 7 Royal Schools Of Music), French horn (Grade 7 Royal Schools Of Music).

Languages: Fluent in English, Greek and French, both written and spoken. Good knowledge of Spanish and Italian, both written and spoken.