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Alexandros Panayi | |
|---|---|
 Alex Panayi in 2011 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Alexandros Panayi (1970-06-24)24 June 1970 (age 55) |
| Origin | Nicosia, Cyprus |
| Occupation | Singer |
Alexandros Panayi (Greek:Αλέξανδρος Παναγή, also known asAlex Panayi, born 24 June 1970), is a Greek-Cypriot singer, composer, lyricist, producer, vocal coach, and vocal arranger. He is best known for having represented Cyprus at theEurovision Song Contest in1995 and2000.[1][2]
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 theBerklee College of Music inBoston, Massachusetts, sponsored by theFulbright Scholarship (BMus, Honors). During his five-year stay in the United States he had the opportunity to perform with artists such asGary Burton,Peter Erskine,The Manhattan Transfer,The New York Voices andBilly Joel. He also toured the US as a member ofThe Vocal Summit – an a capella free improvisation vocal group – gaining the "Outstanding Musicianship Award" from theInternational Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE).
Panayi's involvement with the Eurovision Song Contest includes:
Panayi currently lives in Nicosia, Cyprus where he directs his company, Silver Spotlight Productions, and also coaches and performs with Greece's leading artists includingPeggy ZinaKostas Martakis andAnna Vissi. He is also a vocal producer and vocal coach in other European countries working with performers such asHelena Paparizou,Philipp Kirkorov,Kamaliya and with producers such asBruce Lowe,Philipp Kirkorov,Dimitris Kontopoulos andUwe Fahrenkrog. He has performed on occasion at the "Herodion" Theatre of theAcropolis and has been Regional Music Supervisor forDisney,Buena Vista. Panayi has been the official Greek voice of many Disney characters such asTigger (only his singing voice) and has starred in more than 40 movies such asThe Lion King II: Simba's Pride,Tarzan,Mulan,Brother Bear, and many TV shows – he has the role of Johnny in the Greek production ofDisney'sJohnny and the Sprites, Captain Monogram, Dad, Irving, Buford, Norm, Roger in Disney'sPhineas and Ferb. In 1998 he performed the singing voice ofJethro in the first classic animated movie ofDreamWorks,The Prince of Egypt. He has also performed in Musical Theatre productions in Athens such asGrease in the role of Kennickie, and theNikos Karvelas musicalMala in the roles of Moses & Abraham. Panayi was producer and manager of the groupTriimitonio releasing the albumTriimitonio and the single "Hamogela" He is also the lead vocalist and co-producer of the albumNative Hue (arranged byMatheson Bayley), featuring him reinterpreting several classic Eurovision songs through different genres.Panayi was a teacher of vocal arts at the "Fame Studio" free study music school in Athens, and assists various TV and live music shows as artistic director. He has participated in many TV shows in Greece and Cyprus as a vocal coach, judge, co-host and panellist –X-Factor,Get on Stage,DanSing for You,The Music Box ‘’Melodifestivalen’’ (STV)‘’Destination Eurovision’’‘’Your Face Sounds Familiar’’ ‘’Fame Story’’. He has written the script to, directed and written music and lyrics for the hit musicalsFeggaromberdemata (Moon Tangles),Esmeralda, andMia Mera Tou Dekemvri (A Day in December), all staged inCyprus. He was commissioned byUNESCO to write a new musical to celebrate the presidency of Cyprus to the EU. The musicalDi-mentia premiered in Paris on 15 October 2012. The musicalGourouniasmata for young viewers and their families premiered on 22 December 2012, played sold-out performances throughout Cyprus and preparations are under way to transfer the production to Athens, Greece and the former Soviet states, adapted in Russian. The sequelGourouniasmata 2; Adventure in the Forest premiered in Nicosia 20 December 2013. In June 2012 he co-founded (with close collaborator and friendKaterina Christofidou) inCyprus, an international production company, Silver Spotlight Productions (A.Panayi & K.Christofidou Productions LTD) offering services ranging from composition, staging, direction, choreography, organisation, artist management, big band and symphonic orchestration and recording, to full music (cd and live) and theatre composition and production. Silver Spotlight is the production company for the original hit musicalsDi-Mentia,Gourouniasmata,Gourouniasmata 2 ‘’ Gourouniasmata 3’’ ‘’Amanda’’ ‘’My Snowman’’ ‘’Trash’’ ‘’The Child And The Tree’’ ‘’My Symphonic Snowman’’ and many projects including jingles, corporate events and special projects.
Panayi is also known in Cyprus for his active role in fundraising for charity. He is a permanent volunteer for theCyprus Anti-Cancer Society with many of his productions' proceeds going to their fund, and has acted in the official 2012 and 2013 TV spots. His experience with his mother's condition has also made him a vehement spokesman forAlzheimer's awareness. His musicalDi-Mentia was based on this experience.He is a fervent advocate for the LGBTQI+ community with a passion for inspiring and encouraging people to embrace their true self and values.
Panayi speaks fluentlyGreek, English, and French. He also has a basic knowledge of Italian and Spanish.
| Preceded by | Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest 1995 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2000 (as Voice) | Succeeded by |
