Excerpts of the review in the Newsletter of the British Voice Association:  (Summer 2021) Volume 21, Issue 2

Reviewed by Alessandra Testai

Jole Berlage-Buccellati came to the study of the voice through an intriguing personal history which encompasses martial arts, biology, anthropology, piano and Theatre Studies; all this alongside a journey from her native Germany to the USA, then to London, and back to Germany, where she met her vocal inspiration in Tom Krause. In her introduction, she describes her book as “addressed to all kinds of singers, from professionals to amateurs”, and this is certainly a good book for any singer who wants to develop their creativity, expression and understanding of singing beyond what we can call a functional technique. Little in size, this is a portable guide to be made use of anywhere and at any time. The book is clearly and helpfully laid out in sections.

Essentially, this is the integration of physical, mental and emotional development in the study of singing, both for the student and the established performer. 

As a singer and teacher I came to ‘Sing from your Core’ with some trepidation, having explored many ‘alternative’ singing methods; perhaps I was unnecessarily on my guard against another vague ‘new age’ approach. If so, these doubts were not justified, because this book offers a solid and practical perspective on singing technique. For the experienced singer it will be a useful reminder of how and why we do it, and I would not hesitate to recommend it to the intelligent young singer who has perhaps had enough of more academic approaches. Both will find food for thought in this attractive little book.