Today we’d like to introduce you to Eirini Tornesaki.
Eirini, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I was born and raised on Crete, Greece, in a house full of musical instruments. I studied classical piano, cello, sang in choirs, played in orchestras but also sang Greek traditional songs from Smyrna (Izmir), due to my family’s origins from there. I soon decided that I wanted to become a professional singer. So, when I turned 18, I moved to England to study music. After I graduated, I auditioned for Cirque Du Soleil, I was accepted and went on tour in North America singing with them. I performed in their show “Kurios” for 3 years and completed 1,074 shows. While on tour with Cirque Du Soleil, I applied for a Masters Program at Berklee College of Music. I received a full scholarship to study at the Berklee Global Jazz Institute, where I studied closely with Danilo Perez, John Patitucci, Terry Lyne Carrington, and other jazz masters. It was an incredible experience! Now, I live in Boston, teaching at my private voice studio and online, performing concerts of Greek traditional music and jazz in Boston and other cities in the USA and abroad and writing my own original music for my upcoming debut album.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I am a vocalist of Greek traditional music, jazz, and contemporary styles. I am currently writing my own music. My latest music project was a tribute to my great grandparents who were refugees from Smyrna (today’s Izmir) to Crete, Greece, but it also reflected on the current crises and the issues of racism and discrimination against refugees and immigrants. Through this project, I am hoping to promote empathy for refugees and to help people understand that anyone could happen to be in the same situation.
What responsibility, if any, do you think artists have to use their art to help alleviate problems faced by others? Has your art been affected by issues you’ve concerned about?
Music can serve as a positive force and I believe that as artists we have the responsibility to use the power of music for the betterment of our society. Through music, I want to reflect on today’s issues and also use its therapeutic value to heal and inspire people.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
You can find me on Instagram and Facebook at @erinimusic. I will be sharing my upcoming performances and new releases.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.erinimusic.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/erinimusic
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/erinimusic
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/erinimusic
- Other: www.youtube.com/erini
Image Credit:
Maddalena Arcelloni, Penélope Santana, Cirque Du Soleil
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