Not many people are fortunate enough to wake up in the morning and do what they love for a living. But for 22-year-old singer Kalliroi Yelayotis, that dream is well and truly on the road to becoming a reality.
The talented young performer’s passion for singing and entertaining has been with her since she was a child, with many of those closest to her believing she was born with a microphone in her hands. “I have been singing for as long as I could talk,” Yelayotis told Neos Kosmos. “I was a little singer and actress when I was younger, it was just in my character. I was never one to shy away and always enjoyed putting on performances at family occasions.”
At the age of five-years-old she made her first public performance on the Johnny Young Talent Time Show. Since then she has been involved in several musical productions, has sung at taverns, supported singers from Greece (both in Melbourne and interstate), and has also been a regular singer at the popular Greek hot spot Vanilla in Oakleigh.
Yelayotis said pursuing her love of singing from a young age has allowed her to mature and learn from her experiences.
“Everything I have done has permitted me to grow as a singer and build my repertoire,” she said. “My experiences have given me the opportunity to gain exposure and confidence in the public eye.”
Behind any successful person is somebody who has encouraged and inspired them to persevere with following their dream. For Yelayotis her grandfather Phillip has been that important figure in her musical journey. “My grandfather Phillip is a singer. He never took it up professionally, but he was born with a beautiful voice and I think I was lucky to have inherited a part of his genetic make up,” Yelayotis said. “We would always sing together at home. He had a big impact on the development of my voice from a young age. I am like him, when I start to sing I don’t stop.”
A love of a variety of musical genres and artists has fuelled Yelayotis’ obsession with singing. Her versatile musical voice enables her to sing a range of music from R&B/Soul, to Acoustic/Pop, and Jazz rhythms. Her eclectic tastes have also sparked a personal interest in Anatolic Turkish folk music, folkloric musical instruments such as the clarinet and violins and the traditional musics of the eastern Mediterranean.
Despite her many influences, Yelayotis states it is the music of her Greek heritage that helped her find her niche. “Singing in general has always been an integral part of me, but it’s Greek music that satisfies me the most,” she said. “My father is from Mitilini so being a Nissiotissa, I love my Nisiotika too… and Byzantini musiki.” Yelayotis said she has also been strongly influenced by a number of Greek singers who work across a range of Greek musical genres, including Haris Alexiou, Dalaras, Vitali, Dimitris Mpasis, Gonidis and more modern commercial artists like Kourkoulis, Vertis, Illiadi, and Anna Vissi.
A sciences and psychology student for two years at Monash University, Yelayotis’ fervour for doing what she loves has seen her put her studies aside as she chases her dreams. “Education is very important to me and it’s enormously valued in my family, and I want to complete my bachelor’s degree someday if I’m given the chance,” she said, adding that singing opportunities overseas have made it difficult to commit to university studies.
Yelayotis’ work remains at home in Melbourne for the time being, where she has recently been welcomed as a member of the singing team at Australia’s premier Greek night club Kinisi. With the new renovations complete Kinisi will be re-opening tonight (Saturday), where Yelayotis will be making her first appearance.
Yelayotis will also be returning to Vanilla cakes and lounge in Oakleigh from August, where she will be performing on Thursday nights.
As Yelayotis’ childhood dreams are fast becoming a reality, she vows to remain grounded and true to the love of her life: music. “Singing has always been an vital part of me, it’s always been in me to sing; I hope for it to be something always present in my life,” she said.