In the first episode of the 'Girl From Greece' podcast, hosts Mel Lathouras and Katerini Manolatos introduce themselves, recounting their personal and artistic journeys. They discuss their serendipitous meeting at the 2021 Paniyiri festival in Brisbane, where they were both honored as Hellenic Women in the arts. They share their experiences growing up with Greek heritage, the influence of iconic Greek singer Nana Mouskouri, and their passion for music. The duo reveals their upcoming tribute concert for Nana Mouskouri's 90th birthday at QPAC, detailing the preparation and support they've received. The episode emphasizes the importance of community, cultural pride, and their commitment to being cultural ambassadors through their music.

Show Notes: Unveiling Our Journey: Mel and Katerini's Serendipitous Collaboration

In the debut episode of the Girl From Greece podcast, hosts Mel Lathouras and Katerini Manolatos share their origin stories and the serendipitous meeting that led to their collaboration. They recount the pivotal moment at Paniyiri 2021, where Mel, a newcomer to Brisbane, was inspired by Katerini's powerful performance. The episode delves into their deep appreciation for Nana Mouskouri, how they were inspired to create the 'Girl From Greece' project, and the supportive community that has embraced their tribute show set for Nana's 90th birthday. Touching on their individual journeys, from Mel's transition from a corporate career to jazz and teaching, to Katerini's exploration of Greek music therapy and overcoming performance doubts, this episode is a heartfelt conversation about passion, heritage, and mutual respect. They invite listeners to join their vibrant community and attend their upcoming performance at QPAC.

00:00 Welcome to the Girl From Greece Podcast

00:44 How We Met: A Serendipitous Encounter

01:12 Honoring Greek Heritage and Creative Women

04:47 The Nana Mouskouri Tribute Idea

09:35 Planning the Nana Mouskouri Concert

13:17 Embracing Greek Culture and Language

21:47 A Turning Point: From Journalism to Music

24:07 Discovering Jazz and the Love for Teaching

24:52 The Challenges of High School Teaching

26:51 Embracing Full-Time Singing and Coaching

29:48 Katerini's Musical Journey Begins

34:12 Finding Confidence and a New Path

41:38 The Power of Community and Support

45:03 Upcoming Shows and Final Thoughts

🌹 Ticket link for Nana Mouskouri Tribute at Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) Brisbane 11th October => https://qpac.n.qtix.com.au/tickets/series/thegirlfromgreece24

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A Greek Connection