Helen Zerefos

Helen Zerefos OAM, is an Australian coloratura soprano. Her career has spanned almost 50 years on stage, television, in nightclubs, concerts and recordings.

Zerefos was born in Australia of Greek parents, Paul and Katina. Her career was launched in 1961, at a time when musical variety shows were popular on television. She was the first person of Greek heritage to be a regular artist on Australian television. Zerefos was encouraged to pursue a career in America but her marriage in 1971 and strong family ties kept her in Australia. [http://www.amazingaustralians.com.au/Profile.aspx?pid=173]

Zerefos is also a tireless charity worker for the Ageing Research Centre at Sydney’s Prince of Wales Hospital. Her father died suddenly in 1981 and her mother never recovered from that shock and soon began to show signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Her mother needed constant attention, so Zerefos became her primary carer and she was soon fundraising to assist research into this illness. Her husband, Raymond, passed away in 2002 after a lengthy debilitating illness.

Awards

Zerefos won the 2006 Mo Award for Classical/Opera Performer. [http://www.moawards.org.au/winners%202006.htm]

References