Vocal coach Elena Hurstel has just published “Make some noise!” » (336 p., 19.90 euros, Ed. Alisio). She has directed choirs and accompanied numerous amateur singers in individual coaching. His YouTube channel has nearly 200,000 subscribers and 7.7 million views.
Why did you call your book “Make Some Noise!” » ?
ELENA HURSTEL.
Because, beyond technique, accuracy, range, I invite you to give voice, to dare to shine, to be heard. Working on vocal technique is often combined with therapy work. The voice reveals each person’s identity, their DNA. You can color it, but the frame cannot change. Like a coloring picture.
How do you explain the success of choirs?
Everyone is fascinated by a voice, fantasizes about a singer, a singer. The choir allows us to democratize the divine. It offers an outlet, we sing as we want, as we can. If a note sounds wrong, it is absorbed by the group, we take fewer risks. The feeling of community is very strong, it gives energy and joy. People share the same passion and pool the power of their vocal cords to deliver the same message. We find ourselves without needing to be talented. The result is very gratifying.
Also read: How the “500 Voices for Queen” tour rides on the extraordinary success of amateur choirs
Your work as a coach goes beyond singing…
Yes. The requests aim at a technique, but deep down they hide something else. The voice is the megaphone of our emotions, of our personality. Anyone who wants to learn to sing loudly may need to assert themselves. In my book, I talk about a woman named Émilie, who was not listened to in a meeting and was cut off from speaking. She came in search of charisma, but the problem was first and foremost self-esteem. She suffered from good student syndrome, unsure of herself. Which was reflected in a toneless, hesitant voice.
Once the causes have been resolved, the ground is fertile for sowing vocal techniques, working on articulation, diction, and elocution. My work is to reconnect the person to their deep identity, to their body. Many people tell me: “I don’t like my voice. » After six months, they learned to love it, and above all to take care of it! At school, children don't learn that. This “shh!” » heard all my schooling traumatized me. " Makes some noise ! ", it is also an opportunity to say: allow yourself to speak loudly, to succeed.