As a young chorister for the St Mary’s Cathedral choir, Chris Keryakos discovered a talent for singing that saw him pursue a career in the pop music world.
It also saw him stray far from his faith veering into a “rock and roll lifestyle” that threw his life into chaos.
That was until a chance visit to church for confession saw him not only reclaiming his passion for music but also redirecting it towards a profound mission—to inspire others and evangelise through his newfound voice.
Chris’s journey began in St Mary’s Cathedral, where he joined the world-famous cathedral choir in 2009.
From Year Five through to high school, he found himself immersed himself in the beauty of sacred music, where he discovered his gift for singing, while fostering a deeper connection to his Catholic faith.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t sung with this incredible choir. It was a unique experience,” he recalls.
“The discipline and spirituality I gained during those years in the choir laid a strong foundation for me as a young man moving forward in the world.”
However, after high school, Chris found himself veering off the path once paved by his faith.
“I followed my dream of being a successful pop singer. So, I sang in bands, in duos, and just gigged all around town. It was fun but I found myself drinking and living the lifestyle that comes with that,” Chris remembers.
As the talented singer sought to make his mark on the music industry, inspired by top-40 artists such as Drake and Chris Brown, he became beset by all the temptations that world would throw at him. The faith of his youth was seemingly lost to him.
“I was just partying 24/7,” he recalls.
Embracing the rock and roll lifestyle, Chris gigged constantly, living what he describes as a “wild lifestyle” for a couple of years.
Throughout this turbulent time, Chris received unwavering support from his brother Roberto Keryakos, who meanwhile was ordained a priest.
“He was always there tapping me on the shoulder, showing me the light of God even though I wasn’t practicing at the time,” Chris explains.
“It was definitely a great thing to have him there, almost like a football coach, on the sidelines, just cheering me on, being there for me,” Chris said, acknowledging the impact of having such a guiding presence in his life—even when he strayed from his faith.
Chris experienced a transformative moment during confession after many years away.
“It opened doors and touched my heart,” he reflects. This act of reconciliation ushered in a deep inner peace, leading him to engage in a meaningful dialogue with God—one that provided a fulfillment far beyond what any number of hit records could ever bring.
“I felt a sense of inner peace I hadn’t felt in a long time. Probably not since singing those sacred Gregorian chants as a choir boy. I just felt such a sense of calm. It just made me humbler. For so long, it was just about me and my career. And it just lead me to start thinking about others, not just myself. And slowly I made my way back to faith,” Chris remembers.
With this newfound clarity, Chris saw his musical gifts in a completely different light. “I asked myself; how can I praise God in my everyday life?” he reflects. “What better way than through my music?”
This realisation prompted him to pivot towards a Christian music career, reworking his repertoire to align with his beliefs.
His first public step into this new journey came during the archdiocese of Sydney’s biggest annual Christmas event, “Christmas at the Cathedral,” where he was invited to entertain the thousands of families in attendance in the forecourt of St Mary’s Cathedral. It was a sort of homecoming for the former chorister.
“It was a beautiful experience,” he recalls, filled with excitement for this fresh direction and to return to where it all started.
As he navigates this new chapter, Chris hopes to inspire others, showing them who God is and encouraging them to find their voice in faith.
“I’m excited for this new path, this new journey of mine, especially through my music,” he says.
It’s different to what it was before. I’m hoping to inspire others through my music and to show them who God is and hopefully tell them a story through my music.
As he continues to evolve as an artist, his message remains clear: “It’s never too late to find your voice—and share it with the world.”