your vocal coach for a powerful and confident voice
your vocal coach for a powerful and confident voice
FROM silence TO VOCAL FREEDOM
CHAPTER 0
born silently
to the sound of fire
At birth, I didn’t scream. They slapped and slapped. I didn’t scream. Not a sound.
As a baby, I didn’t cry for food or anything else. And it went on throughout childhood. I was a silent and introverted child, not asking for much, not taking space. At home as in the world.
I would certainly not voice my worries. It would take me a long period of internal struggle before I would share what was eating me. But in the meantime, OCD took over.
Luckily I witnessed moments like this one. I would spy on my father during his me-time when he would play guitar and try to sing. I have a vivid memory of his face, red and deformed, his neck, tense and veiny, trying to emit unreachable high tones. Scary but fascinating. Like a true crime story. And he wouldn’t give up.
And then one day, I heard the real voices he was trying to emulate. Those of legendary singers. And they gave me the shivers. Those powerful, otherworldly passionate voices - I felt that first sensation of fire in my little stomach. The seed was planted.
CHAPTER II
FROM SUDDEN SILENCE TO PRIMAL SCREAM
or when the volcano erupts
While I was preparing my master at the national school of Fine Arts in Lyon (France) my mediums of choice were sound, video and performance - my subject of research was " communication without words "
It was the summer between my fourth and fifth year of studies, I took a plane to Canada. I was twenty-three years old. Twenty four hours after landing and a peculiar headache, I suddenly lost my voice. My speech and all words were gone from my head. I couldn't think. Only feel. I could not process time, space, music nor writings anymore.
It was a stroke in the left temporal lobe of my brain, the area of communication.
Luckily my words started to come back a few days later, but I was a broken hard drive. It took me about six months to stop mixing up words and misplacing fragments in my sentences. It took me years to gain back my confidence.
While working on correcting my vocabulary and the grammar that I had lost, I realised that there were no limits to the possibilities of the brain and to those of willpower. Learning about brain plasticity empowered me tremendously.
I went on a mission to bring my brain back to its original and healthy state : an intensive journey to re-embody myself, to tame my broken speech and to free a voice that needed to exist in the world.
It all started with a primal scream.
CHAPTER III
from obscure rehearsal rooms
to birthing the teacher in me
I started to sing in bands at the age of sixteen but getting back into a rehearsal room after my stroke took another meaning. I became a volcano, the rawest, most naked version of myself. Becoming loud, extremely present, became a necessity to reconquer who I was and tame my PTSD.
The years that followed were the most difficult of my life but also the most vibrant. My voice transformed and revealed new colors and textures. It projected a power that I didn't know I was capable of. It felt limitless. My creative and personal expression were unleashed.
These years I wrote, composed, produced, toured and learnt about as many vocal cultures as I could. I was obsessed with all forms of the human voice that existed around the world.
This hunger led me back to school to study music at the ENM in Villeurbanne (Lyon, France) and ended up teaching my first classes.
It has been fourteen years now that I guide others in their vocal and private journey. Becoming a vocal coach was not a plan I had but one that life had for me and I am grateful for it.
Our voice contains an enormous amount of power in building the person we are. Singing, allowing myself to get loud, learning, experimenting and finally teaching, have been and are still a beautiful path. It healed me and allowed me to develop the skills and empathy to help others in finding their own voice, to free themselves, to understand and soothe certain wounds. It allowed me to connect more deeply, more fully to my own power, to my humanity and thus, to the humanity of others.
My name is Monika, this is my story and what made me the teacher and coach I am today
CHAPTER IV
Why Taking a break
out of breath in the andes
I pulled a card. The question was "why do you have the ambitions that you do?". ( Monika, why do you do what you do ?? ). It kept resonating in my head.
Since I had moved to Berlin my relationship to producing music had changed a lot. I let myself be burnt by productivity culture and the injunctions of social media.
I realised through a lot of introspection on the topic that my musical and artistic production had lost its primal purpose of expression and communication. It was serving an old wound I had and I decided to quit playing live for a couple of years. It gave me some time and space to readjust my relationship to music.
So i set productivity aside, as well as online presence and traveled as much as possible, experimented other sides of myself, learnt spanish again, drew, painted, and certified as a yoga teacher at high altitude in the Andes of Ecuador.
In parallel, my practice as a vocal coach gained in depth because I took that time and space to question my identity and how i operate at this time of my life. Why this, why that.
I didn't want to be a musician only, but all the versions of myself that craved to exist.
My relationship to music is now different, appeased, free from having to prove myself. I got my playfulness back and this is what I always remind my students : "find that wild child back and never let it go again". It's when you stop giving a shit that it happens. You'll hear your real voice. There's no other You in the world.
CHAPTER I
INDIAN MUSIC as a trigger
challenging my occidental perception
I was studying Arts when I met a man in a train carrying a huge instrument case and asked him "what is this?". He opened and showed me a sitar. He told me about indian music with much passion and invited me to join a Dhrupad class (classical singing from north India) he was attending.
I fell in love with how challenging that musical culture was and followed the teachings of Dhrupad master Yvan Trunzler for two years and another two years with Massoud Raonaq.
Indian classical music has been such an eye and ear opener on the possibilities of sound and the human voice, another realm for an occidental mind. Plus, the incredible tonal and rhythm richness of classical indian music forever changed how I perceived music in general and what I was looking for in the act of singing and producing. It brought playfulness and experimentation to another level into my practice but also taught me about discipline, patience and total presence.
HELLO,
MY NAME IS MONIKA
THIS IS MY
VOCAL STORY
FROM silence
TO
VOCAL FREEDOM
TESTIMONIALS
I started working with Monika less than a year ago because I always wanted to develop my voice and explore its horizons.
I must say that working with her is one of the most liberating and exciting experiences. The journey of self-discovery she takes me on each vocal lesson is otherworldly and deeply impactful.
I’ve never felt more creative, playful, and imaginative while learning new ways to sing and control my voice.
Monika is a true artist and a generous mentor who will take you on this adventurous journey and gently guide you all the way through!
Daria, performer (UKR)
Monika’s teaching is amazing! As a coach and comedian, I use my voice every day to lead groups or make people laugh.
Singing has always been a vulnerable act for me, so when I reached out to Monika, it was for a mix of reasons: gaining confidence with singing, exploring characters’ voices, and learning how to use my voice better to support my performances. Holy S***/I can tell you it hit the mark and beyond!
Monika brings together a perfect mix of vocal teachings, playful and caring guidance, and a focus on revealing your internal voice. Thanks to her work, I was able to let go of many of my fears, have tons of fun learning how to sing, and discover new parts of myself - from the power of my voice to the subtle emotions it can convey.
I would recommend Monika to anyone who wants to improve and explore both their physical and internal voice.
Henri, comedian and coach (FR)
Vocal coaching sessions and singing lessons with Monika are real inner journeys, moments of discovery and astonishment, as well as a place to experience a real moment of sharing.
Monika not only helped me place my voice correctly by teaching me all I needed to know about the human voice, but also to gain confidence in myself, in my vocal, mental and physical abilities. She is caring, funny, patient and adapts to our personality, which puts us very much at ease from the first class and encourages us to experience the unknown ! Don't hesitate, go for it !
You will have tons of fun and will develop a whole set of great mental and vocal skills for singing, acting or facing any kind of audience.
Clarisse, actress and writer (FR)
With Monika i found a vocal coach who is not only a very experienced singer and teacher but also a radiant and empathetic personality. With her, it's not just about singing itself but also about the essential foundations of breathing, posture, and confidence. Her expertise spans vocal coaching, deep talks and yoga, making each lesson a holistic experience.
With her, I've found a space where I can truly be myself. She helps me discover my voice and explore all possibilities, showing me that I'm in control over my body and that this process is genuinely enjoyable.
I especially value her extensive experience in rock bands, which makes me feel that I am in the best hands. She taught me usefull skills to bring my work in the studio and on stage to the next level. Her guidance and support are invaluable to me.
Eva, singer and painter (DE)
Monika's non-academic method resonated with me a lot. She allowed me to escape emotions or states that prevented me to sing freely - often for fear of ridicule, of singing out of tune, or sounding unpleasant. The sessions with Monika were a place to become embodied, to be bare, to tame inner blockages and limiting thoughts : she helped me to surpass myself. She created a safe space and her non-judgment uninhibited me. Monika has very precise analysis skills that allowed me to break down certain internal and vocal barriers. I also improved my listening a lot. The sessions with Monika are very empowering and today, as I feel more confident, I can sing with friends and participate in jams. Working with Monika has unlocked things in me and I enjoy singing more than ever. Her support is both intelligent and empathetic, and has pushed me a lot forward.
Marjane (FR)
I heard about classes with Monika from a friend. Her feedback fascinated me. Indeed Monika succeeds in making me overcome the apprehension of everything that challenges me and that I would not dare elsewhere. Her vocal coaching empowers and inspires me well beyond the field of singing. The work we do pushes me to get out of my comfort zone and Monika's positivity and inventive exercises allow me to beat my insecurities in a safe, caring and humorous atmosphere. I more often feel like I'm testing things rather than struggling.
The sessions are also powerful moments of connection with myself and are full of laughter and complicity. I feel great attention and empathy are directed towards my physical and moral state. Monika guides in a very positive way, without ever entering into a teacher/student relationship that could be intimidating. I am extremely grateful and happy with the personalized, precise and caring vocal coaching that she offers me. Unbeatable quality. You should absolutely try! THANK YOU !
Anouk (FR)
Before meeting Monika, I had vocal lessons for over a year but felt stuck in my progress. I was unsatisfied with the methodology, which was generic and not tailored to my needs. I decided to try with Monika after a friend referred her enthusiastically. I immediately connected with her approach: Monika analyzes you in detail to uncover the habits behind your voice and their roots. I am always surprised by her ability to find a personalized way for you to overcome obstacles. For example, knowing that I am an amateur actor, she leverages visual images and theater scenes to help me develop awareness and independence in using the vocal apparatus. She works with passion, love, and devotion to help you achieve your goal. After a few months of working with Monika, I see enormous progress in my singing quality and power. I have more control and stability in my voice, and extended my vocal range by several tones. This process also improved side skills that I did not even aim for when I started my journey, impacting other aspects of my life such as acting and work presentations. I can highly recommend Monika's vocal coaching.
Stefano, astrophysicist and actor (IT)
I had never taken singing lessons before and was not expecting such an experience !
During our very first vocal coaching session, Monika was able to target and analyse my posture, my knots ( physical and psychological ) and as a result, my needs. Yes, I learnt to improve, control and free my voice, but beyond the whole vocal experience, many other aspects are approached and worked on under her guidance.
Monika’s strength and brillance, both professional and personal, reveal a true vocation to help her clients unleash, unveil, reveal themselves and their true voice. I recommend 200%.
Nawel (FR)
I was singing super out of tune and had absolutely no ear but I wanted to try something new and resolve that frustration. It was an extremely liberating and beneficial experience. I simply loved it. Monika helped me deprogram my singing "habits" and get rid of the negative beliefs that had been hammered into me. She is very perceptive and develops teaching treasures to adapt to each person: it's truly tailor-made. As I have no musical knowledge or ear but work in the field of theater, she made me embody characters or atmospheres that would help me produce the desired notes. The result was surprising and incredible for me, I managed to develop my ear and understood that I was capable of singing an entire piece in tune. Monika also taught me improvisation and I brought out notes, sounds and a voice that I would never have thought I was capable of. I left class delighted, calm, centered. And, I even ended up singing on stage! Go for it, you won't regret it!
Jade, actress, director and writer (FR)
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