He was widely commended for his artistic renditions of the works of Agustín Lara and María Grever and was nicknamed "El Gitano de México".

His studies included instructions in music theory, harmony, counterpoint, and voice with Lambert Castañeros - who had performed at La Scala in Milan, Italy.

[4] Néstor's professional career began in the artistic center of the Mexican capital in 1929 performing songs of Jorge del Moral and Agustín Lara at the Bolivár Amphitheater at the National Preparatory School.

By 1933 he launched a concert tour with the pianist Jorge del Moral to Havana, Cuba where he performed the waltz Divina Mujer at various theaters.

This set the stage for Néstor's debut in New York City on the radio for WABC under the direction of Andre Kostelanetz and a subsequent concert with the Philadelphia Orchestra.

[15][16][17][18] These performances were also broadcast overseas for the benefit of the members of America's armed forces personnel during World War II [19] In addition, they helped to introduce Latin American music and the Mexican bolero to large audiences throughout the United States during the 1940s.

[30][31] During this time Chayres was represented by the prestigious impresario Sol Hurok[32] In Madrid, he performed the Seven Songs of Manuel de Falla to great acclaim.

[4] During the course of his professional career, critics in Billboard magazine applauded Néstor Mesta Cháyres for a powerful, exciting and dramatic delivery which pleased his audiences.

[42] He was often compared favorably to the outstanding lyric tenors of his time including: Juan Arvizu, Luise G. Roldán and Alfonso Ortiz Tirado and Tito Schipa.