Voice

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Alexandros Panayi and Christina Argyri formed the Cypriot music duo Voice in 2000. Both artists have strong musical backgrounds. Alex Panayi received a Fulbright scholarship to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Christina Argyri also studied music at Berklee in the United States. Before forming Voice, each had tried to represent Cyprus. Christina sang as a backing vocalist in the 1993 national final and placed third in the 1994 Cypriot selection. Alex competed in several national finals and finally represented Cyprus in 1995 with the song “Sti Fotia”. These early experiences set the stage for their collaboration.

Forming the Duo and Road to Eurovision 2000

By late 1999, Panayi and Argyri decided to join forces for Eurovision. They created the duo Voice specifically for the 2000 contestgeocities.ws. Their song “Nomiza” (meaning “I Thought”) was a powerful pop ballad with Greek and Italian lyrics. Alex Panayi wrote “Nomiza”. The track showcased the pair’s dynamic vocal range and chemistry on stage. On 16 February 2000, the Cypriot national final took place in Limassol. An expert jury selected Voice and “Nomiza” as the winning entry, securing their spot at Eurovision. This victory marked Christina’s first Eurovision appearance as a lead artist, and Alex’s second as a performer.

Eurovision Song Contest 2000 Performance

The Eurovision Song Contest 2000 took place in Stockholm, Sweden. Voice performed “Nomiza” during the grand final, appearing 11th in the running order. Their performance featured strong harmonies and emotional expression on stage. However, the competition that night was intense. At the end of voting, Cyprus finished in 21st place with just 8 points. The result was disappointing for the duo and Cypriot fans. It was among Cyprus’s lowest placements, causing the country to miss Eurovision 2001. 

Alexandros Panayi After Eurovision

Following 2000, Alexandros Panayi expanded his career beyond performing. He became a sought-after vocal director and producer for Eurovision acts. Notably, he served as the vocal director (and a backing vocalist) for Helena Paparizou’s winning entry “My Number One” in 2005. He went on to assist numerous other Eurovision acts over the years, becoming a go-to vocal coach for the contest.

Beyond Eurovision, Alex also worked in musical theater and voice acting. He provided Greek singing voices for popular Disney films. Even, he co-founded a production company in Cyprus to produce original shows. He also mentored aspiring singers on TV talent shows like X-Factor. These roles kept Alex Panayi in the public eye, and he continues to support new talent in music.

Christina Argyri After Eurovision

In the years after 2000, Christina Argyri built a multifaceted career in music and theater. She became a respected vocal coach and performer. Christina lent her singing voice to Greek versions of animated films by Disney and DreamWorks. She also performed as a backing vocalist and duet partner for major Greek pop stars. She also sang in concerts with top Greek pop stars such as Sakis Rouvas, touring internationally. Her versatile voice made her a valuable contributor to live shows, jazz ensembles, and pop-rock performances.

Christina also succeeded in musical theater and education. She served as vocal director for major stage productions in Athens. Argyri also composed music for theater, winning the Cyprus Theater Award for Best Music in 2015. Alongside her creative pursuits, she taught at the University of Nicosia and the Philippos Nakas Conservatory. She also mentored singers as a vocal coach on Greek Idol. These accomplishments established Christina Argyri as a leading figure in the Cypriot arts scene.