Evangelia on Unplugged Stories: “I Dream of Singing in Greek at the Grammys and Making My Grandmother Proud”
by Bill Giannopoulos · Greek City TimesGreek-American singer Evangelia has spoken candidly about her bicultural identity, her transition from classroom teacher to rising pop star, and her ambitious dream of performing in Greek on the Grammys stage.
In a warm and intimate interview on “Unplugged Stories”, the New Jersey-born artist, whose mother is Italian-American and father is from Crete, reflected on how her dual heritage has shaped her music and personal journey.
Born in the United States, Evangelia was just 30 days old when she first visited her grandmother’s village in Crete. Since then, she has spent every summer there, an experience she credits as her deepest source of inspiration.
“I had no choice but to speak Greek. I couldn’t communicate with my grandmother in English,” she explained. “This whole marriage of life — America, Greece, Crete — and bringing our culture to America is a huge source of inspiration for me.”
From Teaching to the Stage
Before fully committing to music, Evangelia followed a more conventional path. She earned a master’s degree in pedagogy from Rutgers University and worked as a teacher for children with special needs for three years.
“If I wasn’t a singer, the only other thing I would have wanted to do is be a teacher,” she admitted.
When budget cuts led to the loss of her teaching position, she saw it as a turning point and decided to pursue music full-time. With the support of her partner and producer Jay Stolar, she began writing and performing, eventually carving out a sound that blends contemporary American pop with Greek influences.
Evangelia has already made a notable impression in Greece. Her collaboration with Eleni Foureira at MadWalk was a highlight, as was her work with Lena Zevgara on the song “Parea”.
Her latest release, “Ena Nero”, is a deeply personal track that pays homage to her Cretan roots and family traditions.
“Whenever I’m in Crete, I’m not Evangelia, I’m Vangelio,” she said. “The fact that I’m now saying it in this modern way makes me very happy.”
When asked about her long-term goals, Evangelia did not hesitate:
“To get to the Grammys. I would like to be on stage, sing in Greek, have a bouzouki and make Greece and the diaspora proud.”
She also expressed her desire for balance, hoping to build a successful career while starting a family.
With a packed summer schedule and her “Party Tour” set to visit Greece and other destinations this autumn, Evangelia continues to bridge two cultures through her music.
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