Alexandros Panayi

Alexandros Panayi ("Αλέξανδρος Παναγής" in Greek characters, also known as Alex Panayi), was born in Nicosia, Cyprus. Alex is a Cypriot singer, vocal coach, vocal arranger and composer, best known for having represented his country twice at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1995 & 2000.

Early life

Alex Panayi grew up in a family of musicians and artists, and took his first musical steps under the guidance of his father Panayiotis Panayi (founder of the first symphony orchestra in Cyprus), and his mother Klairy Panayi (acclaimed Cypriot pianist). By the age of 18 he had already established himself as one of the leading singers and songwriters of his country, moving on to study music at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, sponsored by the Fulbright Scholarship (BMus, Honors). During his five-year stay in the United States he had the opportunity to perform with artists such as Gary Burton, Peter Erskine, The Manhattan Transfer, The New York Voices Vocal Jazz and Billy Joel. He also toured the USA as a member of The Vocal Summit – an a capella free improvisation vocal group – gaining the “Outstanding Musicianship Award” from the International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE).

Eurovision Song Contest

Alex's involvement with the Eurovision Song Contest includes:

* backing vocals for the Cypriot entry “Apopse As Vrethoume”, 1989; * backing vocals for Elena Patroklou (“Έλενα Πατρόκλου” in Greek characters) in the Cypriot entry “S.O.S.”, 1991;

* soloist and composer for the Cypriot entry “Sti Fotia” in 1995

* performing the duet, "Fterougisma" with Marlain Aggelides) in the Cypriot preselection of 1998;

* performing in the vocal duo "Voice" with Christina Argyri ("Χριστίνα Αργύρη" in Greek characters) for the 2000 Cypiot entry "Nomiza";
* and as backing vocalist for Elena Paparizou in the song, "My Number One" which won the gran prix at the Eurovision Song Contest, 2005.
* Stage Director for Fabrizio Faniello, Malta, with the song "I do" in 2006 Eurovision Song Contest held in Athens, Greece

Other work

Alex was the lead vocalist and co-producer of the album "Native Hue" (arranged, orchestrated and co-produced by the British composer Matheson Bayley), featuring several classic Eurovision songs reinterpreted through different genres.

Alex currently lives in Athens, Greece where he coaches and performs with the country’s leading artists including Peggy Zina Kostas Martakis and Anna Vissi. He has performed at the “Herodion” Theatre of the Acropolis and is a Regional Music Supervisor for Disney, Buena Vista. Alex is the official Greek voice of many Disney characters such as Tigger and has starred in more than 40 movies such asTarzan, Mulan, Brother Bear, and many TV shows. His latest Disney project is taking the role of Johnny in the Greek production of Johnny and the Sprites. He has also performed in Musical Theatre productions in Athens such as "Grease" in the rôle of Kennickie, and the Nikos Karvelas musical “Mala” in the rôles of Moses & Abraham. He is a teacher of vocal arts at "Fame Studio" the leading free study music school in Athens, and assists various TV and live music shows as artistic direcor. His big new project is writing the script to, producing and starring in the original musical "Feggaromberdemata" with his close friend and collaborator Katerina Christofidou. The show premieres in Nicosia, Cyprus on April 10 2008, and is expected to move to Greece in November 2008.

Alex is openly gay.

Trivia

Alex speaks fluent Greek, English, and French

External links

* [http://www.alexpanayi.com www.alexpanayi.com, Alex's official website.]
* [http://www.dresscircle.co.uk/product.asp?StockID=27801 Native Hue CD]
* [http://www.diggiloo.net/?info.1995cy “Sti Fotia” Cypriot Eurovision entry 1995]
* [http://www.diggiloo.net/?info.2000cy “Nomiza” Cypriot Eurovision entry 2000]