Draft:Alex Shelest

Alex Shelest

Alex Shelest (born October 27, 1986, Uzhhorod, Ukraine) is a vocal coach, songwriter, musician, and producer. He is the creator of a unique vocal technique, followed by renowned performers around the world. Over the years, Alex has worked as a vocal coach with a wide range of artists, including Oleksandr Polozhynskyi (Tartak), Jay Gordon (Orgy), Anton Savlepov and Kostia Borovskyi (Agon), Dasha Astafieva (Nikita), Sasha Zaritska (KAZKA), Sasha Chemerov, Vasyl Perverzev, Anna Trincher, Nadia Dorofieieva, and many others.

Early years

Alex (Oleksandr) Shelest was born on October 27, 1986, in Uzhhorod, Ukraine. At the age of one, he moved with his parents to Lviv.

From early childhood, Alex was immersed in a musical environment. His father was a trumpet player in a symphony orchestra and various jazz and rock bands. His mother and grandmother are both piano teachers.

He completed both secondary school and university in Lviv, earning a degree in Polish Philology from Lviv National University (2003–2008). After graduating, he moved to Kyiv.

Inspired by Ritchie Blackmore's cello performances, Alex began his musical journey with the violin. He later taught himself guitar and eventually switched to drums. Singing, however, had been a constant presence in his life since childhood—whether harmonizing with others or simply singing to himself. At the age of seven or eight, he gave such a stirring rendition of Child in Time by Deep Purple that his parents still remember it vividly.

As a child, he could sing just about anything with ease. But during adolescence, his voice grew “heavier,” and transitions between vocal registers became strained. Like many going through puberty, he experienced a vocal “disconnect”—the loss of smooth register blending. This frustration became a defining turning point, one that would, years later, evolve into the development of his own signature vocal method.

Career

Alex played drums for fifteen years, often performing backing vocals at the same time. In 2009, he co-founded the band Prime Time with Pavlo Yavorskyi (Yaski). The group quickly rose in popularity, performing at European festivals and, in 2011, opening for Linkin Park. After Prime Time disbanded in 2013, Alex turned his full attention to vocal work.

In developing his vocal method, he explored, analyzed, and experimented with a wide range of techniques and schools. Over time, his own unique approach began to emerge, combining technical insight with an innate talent for teaching. This marked the beginning of his work as a vocal coach and the appearance of his first students. His method continued to evolve through real-life cases, enriched by new concepts and techniques, and constantly refined.

In 2016, Alex moved to Los Angeles, where he taught, traveled, and connected with musicians—including a memorable encounter with Duff McKagan of Guns N’ Roses.

In 2019, he released his first vocal training course, Vocal Gym, based on the principle of partial phonation using a specially designed device that optimizes air resistance impedance with the help of water. Since its release, the course has remained in steady demand among vocalists around the world.

Following the success of Vocal Gym, Alex launched a series of masterclasses across Ukraine and abroad—in countries including Israel, Poland, Spain, and Germany.

His second course, Breathing Gym, was released in 2020. It focuses on the respiratory system and significantly expands the range of vocal training possibilities.

In early 2024, he introduced his third course, Extreme Vocal Gym, dedicated to advanced and extreme vocal techniques.

In 2024, Alex Shelest released his book "Easy Voice", which presents the core principles of his vocal method, training exercises for singers, and practical advice from a coach’s perspective.

Vocal Method

The Alex Shelest Vocal Method is a comprehensive system designed to help singers develop a unique yet versatile vocal style and perform songs of any genre or level of difficulty. The method combines modern vocal techniques with a physiologically informed and acoustically grounded approach. At its foundation lies a deep analysis of vocal anatomy and physiology, revealing the true mechanics behind phonation and the human voice.

"In my method, I’ve integrated knowledge from anatomy, physiology, physics, acoustics, and psychology. This multidisciplinary approach gives you a clearer understanding of how the vocal system works—and how to approach your training and vocal development in a smarter, more intentional way. Just as important is learning how to stay consistently motivated. There will be moments of doubt, of searching for the right sound or position. But only through perseverance and a structured, systematic practice plan can you reach the results you dream of." — from "Easy Voice" by Alex Shelest.

Personal Life & Hobbies

Alex is known for his distinctive style, featuring numerous tattoos and piercings—some of which he’s skilled enough to perform himself.

He’s also a passionate motorcycle enthusiast, owning several bikes, mostly high-performance sport models.

Another one of his great passions is audiophile equipment. He has a deep appreciation for vintage audio gear, including vinyl turntables, cassette decks, CD players, and reel-to-reel tape machines. His extensive music collection spans a wide range of formats and genres, reflecting both his technical curiosity and deep love for sound.

Notes

Prime Time was an alternative rock band founded in 2009 by Alex Shelest and Pavlo Yavorskyi (Yaski). The band quickly gained popularity, performed at major European festivals, and opened for Linkin Park in 2011.

Links

• Alex Shelest Instagram
• Alex Shelest Vocal Method on YouTube

Category:Ukrainian producers Category:Ukrainian music educators Category:Ukrainian rock musicians Category:Date of birth not in Wikidata Category:1986 births