Mariza Koch, born March 14, 1944, in Athens, Greece, is a Greek singer, songwriter, composer, and music educator known for blending traditional Greek folk music with contemporary influences. She represented Greece at the Eurovision Song Contest 1976 with the protest ballad "Panagia Mou, Panagia Mou" and has toured extensively as an ambassador of Greek music, becoming the first Western singer to perform in China in 1980. Koch founded the record label Verso Music in 1996 and later developed innovative music education programs for children. A prolific recording artist, she has released 23 albums, set works by prominent Greek poets to music, and received numerous honors for her contributions to music and education.
