Despoina Lavda

Despoina (Des-pee-na) Lavda (she/her) Greek Actor & SingerDespoina Lavda is a versatile Greek actor and singer. Born and raised on the picturesque island of Paros, South Aegean, Greece, Despoina's early passion for music led her to begin piano lessons at the age of 8, and soon after, she found her true calling in singing. With a classically trained soprano voice, she began her career in choirs, often stepping into soloist roles at festivals, before undertaking formal training in Bel Canto and opera.After five years of classical training, Despoina's artistic curiosity drove her to explore diverse musical genres, including Jazz, Blues, Symphonic Rock, Classic Rock, Pop and Musical Theater. Her multidisciplinary talent extends beyond music, having earned a degree in International and European Relations from the University of Piraeus. As part of her studies, she lived in Siena, Italy, through the Erasmus Programme, where her love for the arts deepened in the vibrant cultural landscape.Upon graduating, Despoina transitioned into acting, enrolling in the Drama School of Peiraikos Syndesmos in Piraeus. A dedicated student of the Meisner Technique, she has further honed her craft through advanced acting seminars, including courses on "Acting on Camera," "Theatre Text Analysis," and the "International Summer School of Ancient Drama."Her stage and screen credits include performances in theater productions such as Hooligans at the Municipal Theatre of Piraeus, directed by Alkistis Nikolaidi and Konstantinos Moraitis, and film appearances such as Shadow by Ifigeneia Dimitriou.Fluent in three languages (Greek, English, Italian) and intermediate in two more (Spanish, and French), Despoina's talents extend to dance, having trained in ballet, pole dancing, tango, ballroom, and Latin. A former competitive swimmer and athlete, she also holds distinctions in freestyle and backstroke events, as well as open-water swimming. Her physical training includes disciplines like Wing Chun Kung Fu and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.Off-screen, Despoina is an avid traveler and book lover, and shares a deep affection for animals. Despite her adventurous spirit, she admits to having a fear of heights.