Dessi
"Motivation and a love of music are the solid foundation. Our mindset shapes how we sound – that's an important part of my work."
Dessi (Vocal Coach and Singing Instructor) • There was never a car ride without music during her childhood. She often traveled with her father from southeastern Bulgaria to the western part of the country to visit her grandparents. Her father made the long car rides more enjoyable with an extra dose of soul music. They listened to greats like Whitney Houston, Anita Baker, and Tina Turner. Dessi soaked up the music like a sponge and was soon singing along.
She also receives musical instruction in kindergarten.
"I still remember that amazing accordion player—she came several times a week. We sang along with her. Afterward, we had a disco.“
Dance is her second gateway to music. At just six years old, Dessi was already dancing modern ballet to famous pop hits like “Mambo Number 5.” Fascinated by their dance moves and extraordinary voices, Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears are among her idols.
Inspired by this, Dessi—ambitious and full of joy as she is—creates her first shows for the stage that means the world to her. The audience: none other than her family. She sings, dances, and takes on the roles of several singers one after another; the show is complete, she says with a laugh.
Music has long been a constant in her life—she played around with it quite naturally—until, at age 12, the director of the school choir suggested to her, "You have a very strong, expressive voice; you should stay with us.“
The choir is an important part of her teenage years.
"I just felt right there. Being there was like diving in and simply disappearing. I become one with the others in the choir. That feeling really fascinated me—that sense of stepping away (from everyday life) from everything when you're so immersed in the music.“
Her repertoire was very diverse, ranging from pop and traditional Bulgarian folk music to classical music. A few years later, she was singing in a disco band.
Music will definitely continue to play an important role in her life. Since career opportunities for musicians are limited in Bulgaria, Dessi is heading to Germany to study music, work in music, and live for music.
She didn't pursue just one degree program, but several. She started with musicology, including ethnomusicology, and cultural studies, earning a master's degree in Hanover. Something sensible, just as her parents wanted. This was followed by a degree in music education with a focus on world music in Hildesheim, and she is currently studying jazz vocals in Osnabrück.
Dessi’s solo project, Delya, is her biggest passion project to date; she composes the music, writes the lyrics, and sings. As part of a duo, she performs on stage with the experimental electronic project Nustorya. As a jazz singer, she is involved in various projects and can also be seen performing live.
"Everyone is welcome here"—this quote from Carl Keaton is what appeals most to Dessi about the CK Voice Lessons concept. "People are supported and encouraged here," she says, "which is why this school resonated with me so much. We don't exclude anyone here.“
Here's what she tells students who've been told they can't sing: "That's a myth. The truth is, you sit there and explore, seeing what your voice is capable of.“
"Talent accounts for maybe two percent. What’s much more important is that you have an aesthetic experience and don’t view singing as a performance. Then you’ll gain better emotional access to your voice. (Singing is, after all, a psychological and physiological process.)“
Beginners often come to class with doubts, and that’s the first thing Dessi addresses. "Learning to sing is basically muscle training." She encourages her students to view learning to sing as a journey. Her lessons are always tailored to each individual. There are many wonderful sounds to discover. With her experience, she’s also an accomplished vocal coach for advanced students, offering plenty of tips for those moments when you hit a snag.
With her wealth of ideas and solutions, there's something for everyone, and the students can look forward to personalized instruction.
"I want my students to feel, after every class, that they've discovered something new and made progress."
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