We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nefeli Christou. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nefeli below.
Alright, Nefeli thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
From a very young age, I was immersed in the arts, whether it was music, visual arts, or any form of creativity. Artistic creation is my way of conveying what words cannot express and connecting with my own experiences. The arts have always been a part of my life, as my grandfather and father are both painters.
Family trips to nature, where my father painted landscapes, along with visits to theaters, concerts, and operas, deeply influenced my artistic growth. In kindergarten, I started playing the piano. By elementary school, I began learning visual arts and took up the cello. This period marked the beginning of my profound journey into the arts, especially music.
As I grew older, I found myself torn between visual arts and music. However, my involvement in the arts began to intensify, and I started leaning more towards music. I began learning about music theory – harmony, joined orchestras and choirs, and took vocal and electric bass lessons. The more I delved into music, the more it captivated me with its expressive power and its ability to convey deep feelings. My creative spirit blossomed as I explored music’s impact on my inner world.
The pivotal moment when I knew I wanted to pursue a creative path professionally was a culmination of experiences. Through my time in orchestras, musical ensembles, bands, and personal moments of playing music, I realized what music truly means. The sensation it evokes, the chills it sends through my soul, the bond it creates among performers, and its profound impact on me were all revelations. Music offered a way to process and express my accumulated, unprocessed emotions, especially during my teenage years. Whether it was joy, sorrow, or anger, I managed these intense feelings through my improvisations. Often, I would play in my living room, immersed in my emotions, surrounded by my father’s paintings. These personal moments sometimes brought me to tears, while other times, my music would soothe my family. The combination of music and the paintings that surrounded me during these times sparked and excited my imagination.
When I played music and heard the harmonies resonate, my anxiety diminished as I focused solely on playing and feeling the music. This therapeutic effect became evident to me through both group performances and personal practice. These experiences showed me the magic of music: its ability to provide relief, catharsis, and a deep connection. It was through these moments that I knew music was not just a passion but my true calling.
Nefeli , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
In 2014, as I prepared to start my journey to study music at university, I faced a pivotal decision. I had found a university and was ready to enroll, but I wanted more. I aspired to immerse myself deeply in both music in general and music performance, and I knew that studying at a conservatory would offer me this opportunity. To achieve this, I needed to audition the following year, which required immediate preparation. So, I decided to take a different path to ensure I was fully ready for the conservatory auditions
Rather than seeing this as a delay, I viewed it as an opportunity to enhance my skills and achieve my goals. I sought out a cello instructor in Glasgow, to prepare me for the auditions. This marked my first year away from home, adapting to a new country, language, and environment. Despite the challenges, my determination remained unwavering. For a month and a half, I traveled across the UK with my cello, attending numerous auditions. The experience was intense, filled with stress and constant changes, but it solidified my commitment to my passion.
In 2016, I began my studies at the Leeds Conservatoire, focusing on the cello as my main instrument. After graduating, I returned to my home country and completed a course in music production. I then started working in a preschool music program in Nursery Schools and writing music for short films and videos. My journey continued as I worked as a musician at a Special Needs Summer School, where I developed a profound interest in music therapy. Working there helped me understand how music could serve as a powerful tool for communication and expression.
Driven by this newfound passion, I began an online course in music therapy while searching for a master’s program. I am now nearing the completion of my master’s degree and working on my case study dissertation. My goal is to use music as a therapeutic tool in clinical settings, exploring how it can positively impact the human psyche and support emotional well-being. Additionally, I aim to create music that resonates with listeners. Through my music, I seek to evoke emotions, spark imagination, and create vivid mental images.
My journey has been shaped by resilience, adaptability, and a deep love for music. I believe in the transformative power of music and its ability to touch lives in profound ways. Through my experiences, I’ve found that with passion and determination, you can overcome any challenges that come your way. Even when things get tough, you can always find a way to keep going. Through my music, whether through my compositions or music therapy, I aim to create a welcoming and supportive environment where music can offer comfort, understanding, and growth.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the ability to express my thoughts and emotions in a way that resonates with others. I find great joy in the creative process and the opportunity to share my emotional journey. Music, in particular, is a powerful form of expression influenced by the creation that comes from within. It allows me to bring out the creative magic from my inner world, touching my own soul and potentially reaching others who might connect with the emotions conveyed through the musical experience. Music can touch people in ways they might never have felt before, reaching the subconscious and uncovering deep emotions, and creating profound connections. This journey of creativity and expression, whether experienced alone or shared with others, is what I find most rewarding. Whether it’s a personal experience of exploring my own emotions or a collective journey of creating and communicating through music, it’s this process that brings me the greatest fulfillment.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My goal, whether through creating music or as I complete my master’s degree in music therapy, is to convey a message of positivity and hope, encouraging growth, love, and self-acceptance through music. When I speak of positivity, I don’t just mean joy and laughter, as emotions like sadness and anger are equally important. To achieve balance and be whole, we need to embrace all the colors of our emotional spectrum. The emotional world of a person is vast, with various shades and tones, some are warm, and others are cold. What matters most is that we, as human beings, learn to experience and accept all these shades. It’s important to feel, acknowledge, and listen to every emotion. Through this acceptance, personal growth can emerge.
In music, there is no absolute right or wrong. While there are “rules”, true expression comes from following your inner self and the emotions you’re experiencing. Sometimes, the dissonance in a piece of music is what gives it character and beauty. Each soul dances to its own rhythm and has its unique blend of dissonance and melody. Each person has their own harmonies and colors, and when they listen to their inner self, they can create something unique. Similarly, in our emotional world, it’s often the dissonance within us that leads to our inner growth. My mission is to convey, through my music and as I move forward in my journey as a music therapist, the importance of accepting all facets of our inner world and embracing our true selves with honesty and compassion.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nefelichristou/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nefeli.christou/
Image Credits
savvas_c_christou