Georgia Zahariadi
Georgia is a multifaceted individual with a passion for music and a deep interest in human behaviour and thought. Her work interconnects science and art, either by using art as a therapeutic tool to aid individuals with mental illnesses or by utilizing psychology to enhance the lives and creative processes of artists.
Born in Paphos, Cyprus in 1996, Georgia began classical piano and theory lessons from a young age, complemented by vocal training during high school.
In 2010, she represented Cyprus at the European Music Festival “Joy of Europe” in Belgrade, Serbia while in the next years, she took part in productions hosting well-known Greek singers such as Dimitris Mpasis and Costas Makedonas.
However, Georgia’s interests extended beyond music. Her fascination with the Hyman psyche led her to the United Kingdom in 2014, where she pursued a degree in Psychology at the University of York.
During her studies, she demonstrated a strong commitment to making a positive impact on mental health. In her second year, she embarked on a Clinical Psychology Placement in Sri Lanka, working alongside clinical psychologists to raise awareness about mental health issues in a country that had experienced the aftermath of a civil war, resulting in rising rates of depression and anxiety.
After completing her studies, Georgia moved to Athens, Greece, to further explore her musical interests. Under the guidance of accomplished mentors, she delved into vocal training at the National Conservatory of Greece and jazz arrangement and piano lessons at the Athens Conservatoire. Between 2018 and 2021, Georgia became a member of the Chores choir herself, contributing to various productions and projects.
In Athens, she continued deepening her knowledge of Psychology by completing a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy course offered by the Athens Center of Applied Psychotherapy and Counseling.
After this, Georgia embarked on a one-year teacher training program in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, offered by the Oxford Mindfulness Foundation. In 2021 she returned to Cyprus where she co-produced and performed in the project “Classical Mikis Theodorakis,” a tribute to the renowned Greek composer.
The concert featured rarely performed works by Theodorakis, including the Preludes and the Little Piano Suite, along with popular songs from collections such as Mauthausen and Axion Esti. The concert was held at various venues in Cyprus and at the Embassy of Cyprus in Greece. Presently, Georgia continues her academic journey as a Postgraduate student in Clinical Psychology at Utrecht University, where she further refines her expertise in the field.
Her commitment to mindfulness and mental health extends to her role as a mindfulness teacher at Utrecht University and as one of the facilitators of the “Good Mourning peer support groups providing crucial assistance to grieving students.
