Recently, a colorful poster appeared on the streets of the city announcing that Gulnara Toygonbaeva's vocal school is accepting students. Of course, we couldn't ignore this announcement and went to the specified address to observe the learning process and meet the charming and wonderful singer.
Naturally, we first asked her to tell us about the idea of opening a vocal studio…
- Recently, I have often heard from journalists and acquaintances the question of whether I have students. I already have good accumulated experience, which means there should be those to whom I can pass it on. However, I had a vision that my student should be an extraordinary singer; then I would engage in producing, but so far I haven't seen such talent in my surroundings. Gradually, the idea of opening a vocal studio and forming a singing group of children came to me. I started looking for a venue and chose one of the auditoriums of the State National Theater of Russian Drama named after Chingiz Aitmatov. I clearly understood that making noise and making music, practicing could not be done everywhere, meaning residential buildings and office spaces should be excluded. In the theater, we organized our small musical corner. Moreover, the idea of opening a music studio prompted me to think about organizing a television competition for children, as I really wanted to gather singing kids. The project "KG Tai" includes three directions: singing, dancing, and the third direction is stage performance, which includes playing musical instruments and circus arts.
- Surely, when you were little, there were no such schools; tell us where you learned to sing?
- You are right. I was born in the Jalal-Abad region, in the village of Karavan, now the city of Kerben. We had one small music school. Unfortunately, I didn't get to study there. When I asked my parents to send me to music school, I heard that my older brother and sister had just entered college, and it was very difficult for my parents to buy me a piano for my studies. I understood their situation and gave up that idea. Life took me through polytechnic institutes and management academies. Now I study at the National Conservatory, and although my direction is not musical, I am still in the arts. My specialty is Social and Cultural Activity Manager. Still, I came to the arts. And now I want to give children what I lacked back then. Currently, there are no such schools in the villages, and this competition is meant for talented children from both the capital and the remote areas to find their way.
- And yet, you ended up on stage?
- Nature took its course. I am confident that every person is born with their own program. So, perhaps in my program, it was laid out that despite the lack of education and my parents' prohibitions at first, I still went on stage and started creating. This is mine. At the beginning of my studies at the polytechnic institute, I started singing in amateur performances, I was noticed, and I became a soloist of the Polytechnic Institute choir, and later of the vocal-instrumental ensemble of that educational institution. Even at our faculty, a unique political song ensemble "Amistad" was organized, our leader was Rafael Sarlykov, who organized the famous "Araket," where both Zhyldyz Osmonalieva and Svetlana Nazarenko sang. Then the student international ensemble disbanded as everyone went home, and only a couple of us remained in our group; we went to "Araket" to sing and dance with them. After graduating from the institute, I realized that I was very drawn to the stage, and at that time, our pop music was not in the state it is now. Only a couple of groups performed, and even then, under the philharmonic. But soon stars like Dinara Akulova and Aichurok Imanalieva began to shine. We appeared a little later, namely Svetlana Nazarenko, Jamila Muratova, and I—all with musical education. That’s how I got "caught up," and I was welcomed very well.
- Tell me, does your daughter Kunai already try to sing?
- Slowly, I don't particularly force her, but she sings with great pleasure in kindergarten. I don't rush things; everything will come to her in due time.
- What do you think is more important for a child: to have a strong voice or to feel the melody?
- Yes, I won't deny that in the Soviet vocal school, great attention was paid to having a strong voice. Modern pop music emphasizes the ability to present a song; after all, one can sing in a whisper, but it can touch hearts.
- The name of your school and ensemble "Kulup koy" translates as "Smile," is this your life principle? Because as soon as you appear, everything around blossoms...
- I also have periods in life when I feel sad and cry; I am a living person too. But when I go out to people, I try to hide that burden. I don't like to talk about my problems or ask for anything. That's just who I am. Once I read that much depends on your inner attitude, as this shapes the future. The same applies to songs; they program your present and future, which is why my songs are major.
- How important is it for an artist to share their experience?
- Right now, I am only monitoring the process, and experienced teachers are working with the kids. Then, in the final part, I will get involved, specifically when creative work and group rehearsals begin. In 2016, I plan to hold a big concert, and the group of children will participate in it, possibly even as a whole block. I would like the competition to grow to national scale and even turn into an international festival. Currently, urban children are participating in it.
- Surely you have interesting ideas not only for children?
- As soon as we finish the competition process, we plan to hold events on Saturdays in the format of "Open Mic." No, it won't be karaoke; here you can drink tea, sing, and talk, and everything will take place in a friendly atmosphere. I hope there will be interested people, as there will be a great atmosphere. We have everything: professional equipment and those who are ready to listen. So families can come together.
- This idea is indeed great, as in the modern world, it is essential to sing to let the soul rest.
- Of course, there is so much negativity in the world, and I would like to simply oppose all the bad by making it so that the soul sings, because when a person sings, they get relief and rest. It's no coincidence that wise Japanese invented "Karaoke." So always sing and smile more often.