ESCDAILY.com: Hi Stella. Thank you for your time and congratulations for making the final of “Performance”. First tell us a little about yourself and your career so far.
Stella Stylianou: I was born and raised in Nicosia. My father is a musician and a music teacher, so from early age i was amazed by the music surrounding my family my childhood and my life!
At the age of six i started piano lessons at the National Conservatory of Cyprus, and then attended the required courses in music theory, harmony, music history, SOLFEZ and morphology. When I graduated from school I studied at the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki Department of Education. Currently I work as a teacher in public schools where I teach the lesson of music.
As a child surrounded by music I had a very early engage with music composition and singing. My first attempt to write lyrics for a very favorite song of mine took place at the age of 8 and my first attempt of to compose music and lyrics took place at the age of 13. I was a vital member of my school choir and as a teenager I was involved on many choirs and music groups.
Since I returned to Cyprus from Thessaloniki, after my studies I got involved with music more seriously as a member in music groups with different genre, e.g. traditional, rock, modern, Greek music and I participated in many music events and festivals through all these years. The past 2 years e I participate in music groups playing Greek rock modern and folk music in night clubs of Nicosia.
I have released one personal album (cd single) with 4 songs, 3 of them with my lyrics and music and an album with a nursery rhyme which I had the general layout of the production and management of children’s choir and orchestra

ESCDAILY.com: What made you enter “Performance”?
Stella: I encountered participation in PERFORMANCE as an opportunity for me, for the people to get to know me as singer and music artist, to love me and trust me enough to represent my country at the Eurovision contest.
In my opinion PERFORMANCE and this kind of tv programmes is a very important step for young artists to highlight their music and artistic virtues.

ESCDAILY.com: How did you feel when you made the final of “Performance”?
Stella: Naturally I felt great joy, satisfaction and a great amount of relief because it was quite difficult and very competitive with many talented singers.
In the first phase of the show I choose to interpret a song of my own, from my personal album which was unknown to that stage to the people.
The people like it and vote for me in the televoting! That for me was a great reward, a great gift and a bonus for me knowing that my choice had given fruits! gave me that position that made me feel very good. At the same time,
However, in the same time I began to feel the burden of responsibility towards the people and the critics that chose me to the finalists.

ESCDAILY.com: Previous to this year did you ever consider or even enter the Cypriot Pre-selections for Eurovision?
Stella: I have always dreamed of me singing in Eurovision! So when I felt that I was ready I’ve tried my chances and the past two years I sent 2 songs of mine to CyBC without being successful though. So now I feel very lucky that I have this great opportunity!

ESCDAILY.com: How would you feel to one day represent Cyprus at the Eurovision Song Contest? Is this a dream for you? What kind of song would you present to Europe?
Stella: As I’ ve already told you, I have always dreamed to sing in Eurovision so of course for me that would be a great honor joy and all the wonderful feelings that may feel an artist who has the luck to live that great music event.
Yes, to represent Cyprus in such a contest was definitely my childhood dream! As a little child I ve watched all those singers on stage and dreaming that I will live that too! I hope to do it!
The music I would love to show and perform in Europe is the kind of music that includes the spirit of our music tradition. Perhaps in conjunction with something new, i would like to emerge from the soul of our island.

ESCDAILY.com: If you could duet with any musician / singer or performer dead or alive, who would you choose and why?
Stella: There are so many artists that I love and admire for their course in music, their interpretations and their songs that I think would be difficult to mention them all .

ESCDAILY.com: Do you watch Eurovision? If so, what are your favourite songs.
Stella: I have been watching Eurovision Contest. since I can remember myself!
There are too many songs that I love! I really love Hold me Know by Mister Eurovision Johnny Iogan .
I remember myself very young and the emotion listening to this song was unbelievable. I had the good fortune to meet Johnny Logan in Cyprus! It was an incredible feeling.
The song Insieme by Toto Koutounio is one of my favorites too. That’s from the past. From the last years I love Molitva and My number one.

ESCDAILY.com: Outside of Eurovision and performance you have many songs on YouTube. Tell us about them.
Stella: These are the songs of my first solo album titled Thousands Performances “XILIADES PARASTASEIS”. As I mentioned above, about three months ago this cd was released and includes four songs. Three of them are in my music and lyrics and one of them is an adaptation of an old favorite song of mine.

ESCDAILY.com: What are your future plans?
Stella: My immediate plans are to release a complete album .
I want to continue composing music, to create, to sing and to express myself through music and share all that feelings with as many people as I can!

ESCDAILY.com: Finally, you have a message for the readers and Eurovision Escdaily.com worldwide fans?
Stella: I wish and I hope to be able to win the PERFORMANCE and to be the next representative of Cyprus in the Eurovision contest. I want to give and offer something from my own personal style in this institution and I hope that all your readers and eurovision’ s fans would enjoy my interpretation.
If I success I hope I will have their love and support!!!

Thank you,
Stella Stylianou

Watch Stella perform “Stis Avissou to Xamo” below;