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Everything is necessary now. You don't have to worry about comparing yourself to others.

Singer-songwriter/Voice trainer Karen

At the martial arts hall in Building No. Waseda Campus, where he used to work as a TA (teaching assistant).

The music unit YOASOBI has dominated the hit charts with numerous songs such as "Yoru ni Kakeru" which caused a social phenomenon and "Idol" which was released this year. I'm sure there are many people who are supported every day by the singing voice of vocalist Ikura (Rira Ikuta). The person behind her clear singing voice is Karen, who has been Rira Ikuta's voice trainer for many years. She is a singer-songwriter herself and is involved in a variety of expressive activities.She graduated from Waseda University's School of Human Sciences. I didn't have the opportunity to learn music directly in my undergraduate classes. Even so, her experience during her time at Waseda University was utilized in her current teaching style.

The important thing is to protect the artist's "state of mind"

Karen has earned the trust of numerous artists, former Takarazuka top stars, musical actors, idols, and more, including Ikura from YOASOBI, who is currently making waves. Although he has not established a point of contact for voice trainers, he continues to receive requests for guidance as referrals lead to more referrals. However, becoming a voice trainer was completely unexpected.

"I still feel like, "Is it okay to say that I'm a voice trainer?"

Still, there were people who really wanted to teach me, and at the request of an old musician friend, I decided to teach at a training course for young musicians. Among them was Rira Ikuta, who was still a junior high school student at the time.

"It was supposed to be a one-time course, but before I knew it, it was still going on. After that, I started giving private lessons to Rira Ikuta, supporting her activities as a singer-songwriter. Ikura's activities began, but when I first heard the demo of the song "Yoru ni Hakaru," I was surprised and thought, "Where are we going to catch our breath?!"

Thus, YOASOBI debuted in the fall of 2019. Her success transcended the boundaries of the music industry and created a movement that symbolized the era.

"Her environment has suddenly changed drastically, and everything she does is new to her.The first time she performed live was at "NHK Ko-haku Uta Gassen" (2020).The members and staff of Team YOASOBI, She always tries to create new things and scenery that no one has seen before, so I get inspired every time.It's exciting, but it also puts a lot of pressure on her.Only technical guidance. Instead, I would be happy if I could become a "mental stabilizer" that helps people overcome various pressures."

Karen is accompanying ikura (left) on the YOASOBI tour (photo by Shinsuke Yasui)

Protecting the artist's "state of mind." That is Karen 's motto as a trainer.

"When I look back on my own experience as a singer, I think, "If I had someone by my side who could teach me these things, I might have been able to do it more freely and confidently." I feel like I'm playing the role of someone else. There's something special that can only be experienced on live stages and live performances, so I want them to be fully prepared in mind and body for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

To that end, when teaching, he says, "I want to focus on the way a person's energy flows,'' rather than making technical corrections.

"What I am conscious of when teaching is to enable the person to bring out the energy they give out when they are at their most relaxed, and bring it out in the best possible way with the intensity of the actual performance.However, if you are atrophied, you cannot do that. There are many factors in this world that can make an artist feel weak, such as comparing themselves to others or the reputations of those around them. Of course, you need the strength to overcome them, but there are also things that you don't have to watch. I want to protect them from "things" and I want them to be able to freely release the free spirit that each artist has.I am often told that this type of voice trainer is rare.However, I have a voice that can convey technical matters. I will be there next to them both as a trainer and as a companion runner."

In fact, Karen 's uniqueness as a voice trainer can be seen from the reactions of the artists she teaches.

S"ome people laughed out loud during the first lesson, and actor Ryo Tamaki (former Takarazuka Top Star) had to stop the lesson several times because he couldn't stop laughing. Above, it seems interesting to me to express my feelings as if I were a muscle, or to pretend to be a certain event.It's important to have a clear image of what I'm aiming for, even if it's funny, lol. I don't think it's worth it.And I think it's more effective if the lessons are fun."

Photo left: While accompanying Ryo Tamaki (left) on her live tour, I presented her with a "Kokoromamori'' (an amulet that prays for peace of mind) from Atsuta Shrine in Aichi Prefecture.
Photo on the right: During the recording session, he gave singing guidance to former Takarazuka top star Futo Nozomi. (From left) Watanabe Entertainment CEO Miki Watanabe, Karen, Nozomi, music producer Satoshi Takebe

Nothing is wasted. Anyway, keep moving forward

"I can't believe I'm teaching someone else," says Karen, but looking back, there are many situations where she could use her experience from her time School of Human Sciences.

This photo was taken when I went to Matsushiro, Niigata Prefecture for a summer physical education class with Mr. Ota (center) when I was in my fourth year of university. The third person from the left is Karen

"When I was a student, I learned about neural transmission in information physiology classes, and learned about the relationship and coordination between breathing and physical movement in the late Professor emeritus Yutaka Haruki's body psychology seminar, so I devoted myself to my studies. In the end, the key to producing a voice is neural transmission, so when it comes to voice training, we also consider whether that transmission is efficient and what is blocking it.

He also recalls that his experience as an assistant in the physical education class of Professor Akira Ota (Faculty of Sport Sciences) was the starting point for "teaching.''

"I was in charge of teaching not only classes for undergraduate students, but also classes for working adults, so I had the opportunity to interact with working adults from all walks of life on a weekly basis. There was a part that connected me to "teaching," including facing people."

In the first place, Karen says that she chose Waseda University because she was interested in people. The School of Human Sciences, which had only been in existence for about 10 years at the time, was a perfect fit.

"I wanted to see all kinds of worlds, so I thought, "Scientific human beings!? This is the only place!" My father was also a graduate of Waseda University, and he said, "Waseda also has a lot of unusual people." There are a lot of people out there, but there are also some amazing geniuses.It would be great if you could see all kinds of people with your own eyes."My life in Tokyo was truly fulfilling, including the learning and meeting my friends during my student life. It was day-to-day."

Photo left: In front of Okuma Auditorium when I entered university.
Photo on the right: In the spring of my first year of university, I chose Finland for my first overseas trip to Northern Europe, which I had dreamed of since I was a child. A photo taken when I went on a solo backpacking trip inspired by a senior member of student club.

I'm interested in people and value encounters. Karen's lifestyle, which has remained the same since her student days, is connected to her attitude of trying to "know how to understand others'' in her teaching position.

"The way people understand things is different for each person. If the person doesn't understand it personally, the exercise or performance method that you tell them won't sink in with them. That's why I approach it differently depending on the person. It's the same. It's the content, but I change the way I say it and how I convey it.I try to change the method until I think,"Ah, I got the message across."

Karen has accumulated various experiences as both a singer and a voice trainer. However, it was during her third year of university that she jumped into the world of musicals and singing. Because he started late and had almost no experience, he was still a nobody right after graduating from university.

When I was in my third year of university, I met with a friend who was a musical actor. Karen is in the middle row on the left.

"I was always anxious. During my fourth year of university, I had musical rehearsals while everyone else was job hunting, and I was also busy with my graduation thesis. I felt a great fear of being left behind. I was told things like, "Why don't you get a job?" But I thought that going in a direction I didn't want would kill me.So I decided to just move forward even if I was scared. I kept going. In the end, nothing was wasted, and I'm glad I kept moving forward."

She wants to convey the importance of moving forward and never stopping to students living today.

"I think when you're young, you often get anxious because you compare yourself to others.However, I want to tell people, "Don't be anxious."Everyone lives their life at a different speed, and there are things that only that person can experience. There is always one. But if you stop or close your heart, you won't be able to meet it. I think I naturally opened my heart because I was interested in people. The important thing is the connection with people. Continue to act in a way that earns their trust. Results and money will surely follow."