She was my vocal coach too. My FIRST coach! I had just moved to London. I still remember my first lesson. And she was amazing with me: I had huge vocal problems and her pianist after a lesson asked her why she was wasting her time with me. Helena replied that it was NONE of her business (the pianist's!) and that she felt I had a voice and could sing! Well, about 2-3 years later my voice had changed so much! That was Helena... She will be greatly missed!
She was my vocal coach too. My FIRST coach! I had just moved to London. I still remember my first lesson. And she was amazing with me: I had huge vocal problems and her pianist after a lesson asked her why she was wasting her time with me. Helena replied that it was NONE of her business (the pianist's!) and that she felt I had a voice and could sing! Well, about 2-3 years later my voice had changed so much! That was Helena... She will be greatly missed!
Oh my goodness. I just found out about my revered vocal teachers demise. Helena Shenel was the Best. I called her Mother. May her wonderful and generous Soul Rest Well. ❤️ An Unforgettable woman. From Lagos, Nigeria.
She was my vocal coach too. My FIRST coach! I had just moved to London. I still remember my first lesson. And she was amazing with me: I had huge vocal problems and her pianist after a lesson asked her why she was wasting her time with me. Helena replied that it was NONE of her business (the pianist's!) and that she felt I had a voice and could sing! Well, about 2-3 years later my voice had changed so much! That was Helena... She will be greatly missed!
Dear Debra, what a treasure you are for sharing all these beautiful video's with us. I am truly thankful for all your effort. I am so much enjoying all the songs and interviews. Thank you so so much xxx
I also had training with her and she was very special and changed my voice in a short period of time recognisable to others also. Her approach was unique and classical and she would use the piano to enable me to get the notes and record the lessons and give her students a copy so that they could keep records of it. RIP Helena, may you be with the Lord singing with the angels.
Debra, thanks so much for posting this great video. Helena was my vocal coach for several years. My FIRST coach! I had just moved to London. I still remember my first lesson. And she was amazing with me: I had huge vocal problems and her pianist after a lesson asked her why she was wasting her time with me. Helena replied that it was NONE of her business (the pianist's!) and that she felt I had a voice and could sing! Well, about 2-3 years later my voice had changed so much! That was Helena... She will be greatly missed!
So sad!! Helena was a beautiful, approachable, unpretentious, lovely, warm, encouraging person. She was my vocal coach for a few years. She always made you feel it was worthwhile improving ones voice. She never gave up on you, worked with you until you got it right. I still have a singing voice due to her help and about to produce my first album in Nashville. I lost contact with her after I moved abroad. God Bless you and I hope you are at rest with the Lord. Hope to see you again. Lots of love and gratefulness always. RIP.
She was my vocal coach too. My FIRST coach! I had just moved to London. I still remember my first lesson. And she was amazing with me: I had huge vocal problems and her pianist after a lesson asked her why she was wasting her time with me. Helena replied that it was NONE of her business (the pianist's!) and that she felt I had a voice and could sing! Well, about 2-3 years later my voice had changed so much! That was Helena... Yes, she a very ENCOURAGING person!! She will be greatly missed!
It seems I’m three years late to find out Shirley Bassey‘s vocal coach passed away. How sad. This woman really changed to Shirley‘s life at a pivotal time. May she rest in peace, and long live the Dame Shirley!
Gosh, what a wonderful clip! Showing us just how dedicated she is and how humbled and grateful she was to Helena. Dear Debra, thank you 🙏🏼 for sharing this treasure for us all to enjoy. If you chance upon my message, please let us know which documentary this comes from as although I imagine it’s super rare, I would love to know so I could try and seek the entire programme out - as this really is wonderful.
@@ellabellisima She was my vocal coach too. My FIRST coach! I had just moved to London. I still remember my first lesson. And she was amazing with me: I had huge vocal problems and her pianist after a lesson asked her why she was wasting her time with me. Helena replied that it was NONE of her business (the pianist's!) and that she felt I had a voice and could sing! Well, about 2-3 years later my voice had changed so much! That was Helena... She will be greatly missed!
Seeing this clip really breaks my heart that Helena Shenel is no longer with us. I trained with her many years ago for a while, but she was very expensive (although worth every penny) so I was limited with the number of lessons I could afford at the time. I tried to get some more lessons a few years before she died, and as I later found out, she was giving lessons via Skype, but I didn't have her contact number and Shirley Bassey's PA was being deliberately difficult and obstructive when I asked her if she would get a message to Helena to contact me. I've been trying to get my voice back in shape, but I have been to singing teacher after singing teacher, and I cannot find anyone who is fit to wipe her backside. The problem is that when you are used to Champagne, it is really hard to acquire a taste for cats pee. Helena Shenel wasn't just the finest singing teacher I ever went to, she was the finest teacher of any discipline that I have been to, and vocally I am lost without her. With Helena it really was like I asked God to send me the perfect singing teacher, who then sent me Helena Shenal, and he then looked down at his creation and he thought it good. The thing I loved most about Helena was that she was very motherly in the way she nurtured her pupils, and explained things in a way that just stuck in your head. But on the other hand, she wouldn't take any nonsense, and if I wasn't standing with the correct posture after already corrected me, she could just give me a look and I'd be standing up straight in a millisecond. RIP beautiful lady. you really are one of the most important people I ever met in my entire life, and there are no words that could ever express how utterly privileged I feel to have been taught by you. P.S. Does anyone know of any singing teachers that are even remotely close to the standard of Helena? I'd be happy with someone half as good, but I can't find anyone who is a tenth as good.
