Apstara is the ethereal vocal project of singer-songwriter and composer Juliet Lyons. Blending airy light with meditative intention, her music creates immersive sonic sanctuaries for listeners seeking inner peace. Through her Etherealized Series and One-Minute Mantra Series, she continues to redefine how voice-centered music can inspire presence, healing, and emotional expansiveness. With over two decades of experience as a professional vocalist and an established career as a songwriter/composer for film and television under her given name, she brings both technical mastery and spiritual intentionality to her artistry as Apstara. With an ethereal, soul-stirring voice that feels both otherworldly and intimate, Apstara creates music to sooth the spirit and awaken the heart. A rare chronic disease that challenges her breathing has become a quiet teacher, guiding her toward gratitude, presence, and music that honors the sacredness of each moment.

With “Con Te Partirò” out now, we took some time to hear from Apstara. Read below to learn more about Apstara, the story behind “Con Te Partirò,” and what’s to come.

Hi Apstara! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?

Hi, and thanks for having me! As Juliet Lyons, I release music in a lot of different genres, writing music for sync in film and TV. I created Apstara as a separate artistic vessel for softer, more mystical music that invites meditation, nurtures inner peace, and uplifts the spirit.

Apstara embodies the celestial, feminine, and transcendent energy behind my one-minute mantras and “etherealized” music.

What city are you from, and where are you based now?

I grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico and currently live in North Hollywood, CA.

At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?

I fell in love with music at a very young age and never considered pursuing anything else. I started out playing children’s roles in musicals with the Albuquerque Civic Light Opera (ACLOA). 

How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?

Unlike the songs and music cues that I create for film and television, my sound as Apstara is intentionally spacious yet intimate—music meant not for the screen, but to open a doorway inward. I create ethereal vocal soundscapes over gentle and dreamy musical textures, singing from a place of pure intention to cultivate calm, presence, and light.

Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?

I’m immersed in music every day and wouldn’t have it any other way. I love to spend time in nature, however, and love to travel. Nature always inspires creativity. Even just stepping outside for a 15-minute walk around the neighborhood, taking that time to be mindful and present in the fresh air frees my mind and opens it up to possibilities. 

Who are some of your main musical influences?

Olafur Arnalds, Loreena McKennitt, Sigur Ros, Chantress Seba, Lisa Gerrard, Sarah McLachlan, and of course, Enya!

What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?

It was a dream come true to hear my voice in a movie theater for the first time, sitting with my family while the trailer for Disney’s live-action Cinderella played. Another moment that I’m extremely proud of was raising $2,000 through sales of my album, Breath of Gratitude, for research and advocacy efforts for my rare airway disease, Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis.

What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?

I realized that at the end of the day, truly the most important and rewarding thing about creating music is simply: creating music. I am so grateful to live a life of such soul-fulfillment, working on or with music every day.

Now onto “Con Te Partirò.” What prompted you to make this cover song?

This song has been near and dear to my heart since Andrea Bocelli exploded on the scene with the original recording. It’s timeless; a song that can move people of any age or background with its soaring melody and romantic message.

How does your version differ from the original?

The original is passionate and dramatic in the operatic climb to the end of the song. This version, with its many vocal layers, is dreamy, airy, and spacious and incorporates some laid-back beats to support the uplifting message of the lyrics.

What was the inspiration behind the cover artwork for “Con Te Partirò?”

I definitely wanted to give a nod to Andrea Bocelli’s Romanza album art, which is red and black, so that’s how the red rose became the centerpiece of my single cover art.

What was the creative process like when making “Con Te Partirò?”

Just a lot of fun! I put down a basic beat and basic piano as placeholders to start building the vocal layers with, and as the layers started filling in, I started constructing the production of the track around the vocals. I made up the vocal harmonies on the spot each time I hit record, just trying things, then going back and editing down when it started to get too busy or complex. I debated whether the beat was appropriate, as it certainly changes the mood when it kicks in, but I thought it added some fun energy to keep things light as the vocals get fuller through the song. 

How long did it take to complete “Con Te Partirò?”  

This was a beast because of all those vocal layers. I can be a perfectionist when it comes to vocals, so if there was one “s” consonant that was slightly out of place, for example, I had to search for it among about 30 vocal tracks to find and fix it. I have to give a shout out to Phil McGowan who mixed this for me – I have no idea how much longer it would have taken me to get the EQ and compression settings for all those vocals right (I’d probably still be working on it, haha).

What do you hope fans take away from your music?

I hope they feel some peace in their hearts. Pure and simple.

What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?

I’m releasing more etherealized covers through the year, and they’re all quite different from each other, so I hope people will enjoy the different moods and vibes. But, my main project is creating a musical collection of 31 Days of One-Minute Mantras. I’m releasing one every couple weeks, and aim to have the full month of mantras ready by the late fall.  These are short-form meditative songs designed for intentional pauses throughout the day for listeners seeking a quick moment of calm, inspiration, and presence.

Where can we follow you on social media?

Thanks for asking! There is only so much social media that I can handle, so I’m not everywhere. I’m mainly active on Instagram at @apstara.music, and you can also find me on YouTube with the same handle.

Before you go, let’s ask you an off-topic question. Are you a cat or dog person?

Both! Chuckles and Marcel are my two beloved smalls dogs, and as of last summer, I am now a doting cat mum to Woo Young Woo. She fit right in with the dogs and the three of them bring me an incredible amount of happiness.

Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!