From the beginning of her music education in the church choir. George showed a flair for languages and stage. She caught the eye of Broadway agents at the Miss Teenage America Pageant and won a full scholarship to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC singing a selection from Funny Girl. As Miss Oklahoma (Miss America Pageant) she won talent and swimsuit awards.

Demetra continues to be a protégé and dear friend of her voice teacher, renowned mezzo soprano/teacher/pedagogist Nina Hinson of Los Angeles. She offers multitudes of thanks for her knowledge, guidance, patience, friendship and love. Coaches Maestro Frank Fetta, Jack Metz, and James Busby have led Demetra through many successful performances for which she is ever grateful.

"Demetra George Sings Love Arias" was nominated in 2002 for a best album/best song (Merry Widow Waltz), for the Grammy List. Masterful Maestro James Brooks-Bruzzese led the Sofia, Bulgaria Philharmonic in exciting performances on the decorated CD.

In constant demand, Demetra is called upon for her signature roles (Mimi, Violetta, the Merry Widow, and Musetta, to name a few) and for her symphonic pops concerts where she lovingly mixes opera and Broadway to the delight of audiences. her portrayal of the strong Bohemian ladies has won her acclaim as she sings, acts and even dances with great aplomb. She presents concerts for blind and underprivileged children to raise funds in the US and abroad.

Growing up in Oklahoma City, George was a product of Putnam City High School and its faculty Margaret Haggard, Lois Hintze and Betty Wadkins; Bill Graham Dance Studio; Oklahoma City University; The Miss Warr Acres Pageant, directed by Dee and EZ Zink; and OCU voice teacher Inez Silberg. As a musical theater performer, Demetra glowed in roles like West Side Story's Maria, The King and I's Tuptim and Julie in Carousel. When the coveted Miss Oklahoma title went into her cachet of roles, it was a great honor for Demetra, since 3 Miss America's hail from her alma mater as well as many talented opera, Broadway and country singers.

While singing leads with the Houston Gilbert and Sullivan Society, George was discovered by Frances Bible of the New York City Opera who awarded her a full scholarship for study to realize her dreams of singing the full soprano repertoire. Following that, George enrolled in the University of S. California Opera Extension Program.

A year later, she won the Western region San Francisco Opera Auditions with the tutelage of famed voice teacher Nina Hinson. Along with her prize came the Merola Opera Program. As a result of this good fortune, George was invited to debut at the Dorthy Chandler Pavillion in Los Angeles as Violetta in La Traviata. Also a Zachary Competition winner, George had wonderful support from Dr. Loren and Mrs. Nedra Zachary while in LA.

Happily married, Demetra resides in Beverly Hills with her supportive family: husband/businessman/diplomat Mike Mustafoglu and their two beautiful daughters Devran and Deniz, who also sing up a storm. The last few years have been spent close to home with the family, allowing her quality time with the children and much wonderful and exciting work as resident soprano with Nevada Opera Theatre (NOT) guided by well-known entrepreneur and friend Eileen Hayes. Demetra has starred in their La Traviata, La Boheme, the Merry Widow, the Opera Festival at Lake Las Vegas and numerous concerts for NOT at almost all of the Las Vegas Luxury Hotels.

During La Traviata at the Paris Hotel, a fire broke out and George refused to move from the death scene bed waiting for the all clear sound. She then resumed with a final standing ovation. Post performance George had a surprise visit from famed Oscar actress Diane Ladd, who honored Demetra with the compliment that she thought her to be the best singing actress she had ever seen, never missing a beat OR a fire alarm!

Ms. George sends blessings to her supportive girlfriends through the years: Amy, Jan, Janet, Mary, Marge, Debbie D & Aunt Ann, Nona Beth, Sandra, Shirley, Gayle & Beulah, Teenie, Sophia, Judy, Margaret, Cheryl, Nancy, Fisun, Lorrie, Linda, Gay, Monnie, Diane, Hulya, Alev, Deborah, and Giovanna.

Special thanks to the men of music in Demetra's life who influenced her career path: Chris Merritt, Stephen Dickson, Roger Cantrell, Carveth Osterhaus, Robert Linder, Jeff Gerstein, Franz Boerlage, William Felber, James Guthrie, Dr. Jack W. Jones, Maestro Anton Guadagno & Thomas Hampson.

Demetra was blessed with parents George and Christina ("Kris") Giannopoulos who loved and supported her music along with musically talented siblings Jeff and Georgeanne. Mama Kris was Demetra's first teacher and continued as her musical mentor until her recent death in 2004. It is to MOM who guided her career that she dedicates this cd, for she was the "Mother, Wife, and Yiayia of the Big Fat Greek Family", great fan of Maria Callas, Jeanette McDonald and Barbara Streisand.

Promise made; Promise Kept! Lovingly - D