NEW YORK — Myrto Chalemi spoke with TNH about how she made her dream come true of moving from Greece to the United States to pursue her love for music, arts, and performing.
Two years ago, Myrto Chalemi’s dream of taking her talents across the globe came true when she was offered the scholarship of a lifetime to study at the The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City.
She then packed her bags and put her life in Lagina, Greece behind her to move to a foreign country, the United States, to pursue her love for performing.
Application after application, the multi-talented young woman remained determined, and worked hard to ensure she was good enough, talented enough, and experienced enough to perform anywhere.
As someone who sings [and sung in her own band as well, titled Duo Delirio Plus], dances, and loves to celebrate Greek culture through performing, her journey as a performer was just beginning.
Now, at 25 years old, Chalemi’s determined to gain more experience, and take the stage and direct her own path in her professional career.
In an interview with The National Herald, Chalemi revealed what inspired her career as a performer, and how she ended up in the U.S.
“I started singing when I was around 12 years old, as that’s when I was inspired by the works of Celine Dion, Andrea Bocelli, and Maria Callas,” Chalemi told TNH.
“I was trying to learn piano by myself, and I was also trying to dance professionally at the same time. As I got older, I started taking music more seriously and decided I wanted to make a career out of it.”
She continued: “I had a dream of studying abroad, and because of this, I was training six times a week, balancing more than 25 hours of practice, as well as my high school studies.”
Determined to make her dreams come true, in 2015, when Chalemi was 15, she decided to apply for the National Conservatory of Thessaloniki, where she ended up studying classical singing for seven years while simultaneously studying and graduating with a Bachelor’s in Ballet and Contemporary Dance Teaching from the Professional Dance School Fyllis Mantziari.
Several years later, in 2022, she even travelled to England, and auditioned for the Arts Educational School in London, where she wasn’t accepted, although she reached the final stage of selections, with the final 30 remaining candidates.
Chalemi took the rejection as re-direction, and then decided to try her luck in the U.S. where one day she found out she was successful in her application, and was offered a scholarship to chase her dreams in the big city!
She revealed how it felt to be accepted into the American Musical and Dramatic Academy’s intensive 1.5-year Integrated Musical Theater Program.
“It took me quite a few weeks to realize it was true, that I had been accepted… but it was very very exciting as I had been watching movies about New York City since I was a kid,” Chalemi said.
“When I found out, I also had to consider whether I could afford it or not, and if the school would accept all the financial proof I’m giving them. When I came here, I got into work mode really fast.”
The young performer said she studied there in early February of 2023, and finished in August of 2024. Her course involved long days, starting from 8 AM, and sometimes finishing as late as 8 PM.
Living in New Jersey, she would also spend three hours a day commuting to and from her school. Despite all the strain, she said wouldn’t have it any other way.
“The course involved a lot of practical classes like musical theater technique and performances every day, acting class, golden age and jazz standards era in musical theater, voice and speech coaching, literature class, musical theater history, business class, ethics-and public speech class, scene work, and a dance class every day, like ballet, jazz, theater dance, and tap dancing,” Chalemi said.
“There was also a series of audition setting classes in our last semester, along with the preparation of two full shows that our directors in school prepared specifically for our grad performance. They would feature songs that showcase each student, through musical and acting performances.”
Chalemi revealed what she loved most about her schooling experience.
“I enjoyed my program a lot because it had a wide variety of classes and gave you a great idea for what musical theater is like, and the tools needed to learn how to work on material by yourself,” she explained.
“What I also enjoyed was the multicultural character of the school, since the biggest percentage of students is actually internationals. I made friends from all over the world and I learned so much from them. Also, a lot of our teachers are performers themselves and it was great to see how they actively work in the industry and to learn from the inside.”
Now, after gaining all this experience and learning the nuances of American culture and
the artistic industry, she is looking forward to applying her knowledge in Greece. Her
goal, however, is to return to the States and elevate her career, create her own path, and showcase the beauty of Greek culture.
“I really want to be here, but I want to have better circumstances to be here. I have loved it, but I have also struggled, and at one stage did four or five different jobs, and it still wasn’t enough to survive,” Chalemi said.
“Hopefully, I will be able to return to the United States in the future, as I would love to start something of my own. With my educational background in classical singing, musical theater, ballet, and contemporary dance teaching, I would love to open a school for music and dancing. Many of my jobs in the United States have had me
interacting and teaching kids, resulting in a few requests from parents to start my own school.”
“Another reason I am potentially looking to return is to study music pedagogy, as I have received job offers from multiple Greek Schools. I believe music can be a great tool to see the true depth and beauty of life, and it would be a privilege to help others find their inspiration just as I have.”
