“A musical is a fusion of the art of acting, singing and dancing”

“A musical is a fusion of the art of acting, singing and dancing, which means that it requires multitalented people,” says Chinara Nazarova, our new vocal teacher.

She is a graduate of Nizhny Novgorod Music College named after M.A. Balakirev, specializing in pop vocal. She is a winner of such competitions as Morning Star, Look at Me, International Competition Yunost. Recurrent participant of the children’s film festival Hedgehog Cinema Lover.

After graduating from the vocal academy worked in the youth theater of Nizhny Novgorod, private school-studio Consonance and the Center for Further Education of Nizhny Novgorod.

Currently, Chinara participates in such creative projects as:

  • Solo project Chinara 2007 – present
  • Latin-Pop band La Bomba 2011 – 2012
  • Duet Bourbon (beatbox + vocals) 2012 – present
  • Duet Chi 2013 – present
  • Macau Show

Why are you teaching?

– I see something spiritual in teaching. When I work with students, I give away part of my huge energy reserve and realize myself. And in general, when I have something to share, I do.

– What do you emphasize during vocal lessons? What is more important – technique or self-expression?

I try to give the person what they come for. But without self-expression, the technique is useless. Any generated sound is associated with energy in the first place! The sound that we are trying to find with vocal mechanics will only be found when a person allows himself to open up. Let go of the body, remove unnecessary tightness, devote yourself to the process, trust, fall in love with your voice, enjoy a difficult and complex process.

– What is most important to you in working with children?

– The most important thing in working with children and others is a well-built connection, where trust plays a major role.

At my first lessons I give freedom of action: kids can miss the notes, laugh, make mistakes and experiment. I am convinced that absolutely all people who want to sing can sing.

– Which word suits best to describe your work with children?

– It is “Rewarding” Recently, one of the main protagonists of our musical came up to me. During the lesson, she hit a note that she had not been able to sing before. And then tears of joy came out of her eyes… Finally, she got what she had not been able to do for a long time. A person becomes happier in front of your eyes and literally glows with the awareness of personal ability. Such sincere joy is the most rewarding for me.

– What is important in a musical production? How is it fundamentally different from other theater genres?

– A musical is a fusion of acting, singing and dancing, which means that it requires multitalented people who will be able to do everything at once and at a high level. Actors need to be both amazing dancers and singers at the same time to be able to compete for different roles and not be limited to just one.

– Several casts for one role – is it motivation or hard pressure for children?

– It all depends on the people, the personalities. Children on the project in many ways already behave like adults, and do not underestimate them. They have an irresistible desire to work, and I think that healthy competition will only stimulate them to better prepare their role.

– In any form of creativity, there is a concept of “gift” and “talent.” Which do you think is more important?

– That is a difficult question. These concepts tend to go as two integral parts of any good artist. But in addition to natural ability, hard work and diligence are important for any creative person. There is even such a notion as “vocal brains”: A person can be given an incredibly strong beautiful voice by nature, but in the absence of a proper approach and the desire to work and progress, he or she can remain at a rather low level of creative development.

– What is necessary at the beginning of the creative path?

– You must be yourself immediately and forever!

Never compromise your integrity. One cannot become more interesting than oneself. Of course, everyone can have an inspiring favorite artist, teacher or mentor from whom he or she would like to learn something, but complete copying of someone else’s path will immediately lead a person to a dead end.

– Define “an artist is…”

– For me, an artist is a person who has something to say! Someone who can burn, create, inspire, learn and give back!

– Where do you draw inspiration for yourself?

– I am very inspired by people, and communication with them. And children, in particular. It happens that they answer my various difficult personal questions and open new solutions to old problems. After such interaction, I am replenished, and thanks to this, new poems and melodies are born.

– Which artists are close to you and why?

I try not to limit myself to one style or one creative team. It happens that in my life I get exactly what I need in this particular period.

On the same level as the world’s most technical artists, I can listen to my peers who are honest in their work.

I like something that tugs at my heartstrings…

– How can vocals be useful in everyday life?

Singing is very good and useful!

Song is one of the only miracle cures that can help to restore the body’s endocrine system. For example, there is a theory that those who have problems with the thyroid gland to relieve the muscles surrounding it is recommended to sing a lot and with pleasure!

And, of course, it is good to turn on your vocal cords for our central nervous system. To bring in balance the emotional state, to speak out, to spill out negative emotions, replacing them with a harmonious and positive mood.

I wish everyone to find their melody!

Everybody sing!