BS”D

Chaya Gurevitz from West Virginia asked: What motivated you to become a singer?  Who or what was your inspiration?

 Ever since I was a young girl, I loved to sing!  My father is a musician, so I grew up in a house that was filled with music.  Music has an effect on me; it makes me happy, it makes me feel validated, and it makes me feel like I can get through challenges.  Just like music has done that for me, I want to give back and provide inspirational and appropriate music that can make girls and women feel good about themselves, and happy.

 

Shoshana Ferber from Connecticut asked: How do you find the confidence to sing in front of other people?

 Performing in public can certainly be nerve-wracking at times, but  it’s also thrilling and comes with a huge endorphin rush! When I was younger I would definitely get a bit nervous when singing in public, and I still do if I’m performing a new song that I just learned. But let me tell you, practice, practice, practice, really makes all the difference! After you perform enough, it helps ease the nervousness. I also feel it helps to sing original songs I wrote.

 

Dina Rosenthal from Massachusetts asked: How is Jewish music different from non-Jewish music?  Do you feel a difference; how? How does it feel to be singing for women and girls ONLY?  Do you compose songs?  What does the process look like?

 Jewish music is very different from non-Jewish music. Sometimes non-Jewish music can convey some messages that may be damaging to girls’ self-esteem. I realized that there was a problem…most Jewish music is usually sung by men. Where are the women? As a young girl there were only about five Jewish female singers I could listen to, and I deeply enjoy hearing women sing. So, I try to put out music that is fun, contemporary, in English and primarily pop/rock, so even someone who is accustomed to listening to secular music, can really enjoy it. I feel proud to sing for women only. There was a time in my life that I dreamed of going on to Disney or Hollywood; but, thank G-d, I spent time studying in Israel, and that dream of mine definitely changed! I see the value in modesty, and the beauty of a woman’s voice. It’s an expression so deep, and it’s way more special to share it exclusively with women and girls. You know the term “Girls night out”?   It’s the same idea! Us gals have so much fun together, and can really bond and enjoy when it’s all female company.

 When I compose songs, there’s no specific rhyme or reason; it just comes to me at random times (literally in middle of the night at times!). Usually it’s after I went through a very challenging struggle and then had found some clarity about the situation. I always feel release and a sense of calm after I write a song. If you write, or journal, keep it up!  It’s therapeutic, and such a great way to express yourself.

 

Neshama Sari from Oregon asked: Can you please give me some pointers on how to write a song and compose a tune?

 I think in the beginning of the songwriting process, when you just start writing songs, it can be challenging to create the songs with distinctive sound. I remember singing a number of my songs to someone when I was about thirteen years old, and they told me the songs all sounded the same. I was definitely hurt, but instead of giving up songwriting, it motivated me to try even harder, and keep writing!  Here are some tips that I’ve learned along the way: A tip I have is that you should just try!  Start humming a tune or a melody and see where it gets you. Also, I recommend forming songs that aren’t too long. For example, it shouldn’t contain seven verses, but it’s better to keep it around three verses. Always have a voice recorder handy, because it’s so easy to imagine a tune in your head and then forget it.


Hatzlacha on your journey in life, happiness, and MUSIC!
Much love,
Shaindel