What is the best thing that I love about my work? I have been guided by a passion
for music since my adolescence. It’s allowed me to constantly renew myself, avoid the
pitfall of routine and carry out different projects, sometimes even simultaneously. Some
would say of me that I have always led parallel lives. I have always organized a
schedule that allows me a space of freedom large enough to move easily from one to
the other without necessarily being known to everyone around me. After I had obtained
my Doctorate in Musicology and Ethnomusicology at Paris IV Sorbonne, I followed
Fusako Kondo’s Lyrical Singing class at the Conservatory and I was already working
as a Music Education Teacher to earn my living. Then I wrote my first song in the
middle of the night and discovered myself as a singer-songwriter and self-producer
while continuing teaching and collaborations such as writing a book of interviews with
the composer contemporary Nguyen-Thien Dao or writing songs with an African singer
Gina d’Affiniam.

What is my idea of happiness? Happiness begins when you learn to disobey, to
follow your instinct, your inner voice. I think you need to have a certain strength of
character to oppose preconceived ideas, criticism and social pressures, especially
when you are a woman.

What is my greatest fear? My biggest fear is losing my freedom of movement in every
sense of the word.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? Lack of patience. When I’m
passionate about a project, I like things to move forward efficiently. Except in the case
of collaborative projects, not everyone necessarily has the same involvement, which
can create turmoil.

Which living persons in my profession do I most admire? Behind the radio
presenters there are many music lovers and I appreciate this environment. At one time
I had thought of becoming a radio presenter.

What is my greatest extravagance? Without a doubt having gone with a friend to
Casamance in Senegal in the middle of the covid pandemic. In France we lived with
our masks, hydraulic alcohol gels, barrier gestures. The concert halls and performance
halls were at a standstill. I joined Gina d’Affiniam and Jean-Gabin Coly in December
for the Ziguinchor Music Festival and there we were amazed to discover that everyone
was going out and living normally without a mask under the sun. The crowds at the
concerts amazed me. There was on one side the rich country which could afford to
stop everything and on the other the poor country which had to move forward to survive
with or without a virus.

On what occasion would I lie? On a daily basis, I am a fairly frank person and I am
wary of lying, but I could lie to protect those close to me or protect myself.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? It is very difficult to be heard
in the musical world and particularly in the profession of author-composer-performer.
You have to be strong to persist in sending your songs and you must not fear the
avalanches of sometimes disobliging remarks.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work? I don’t like unfinished work. In
fact, I am ready to spend a lot of time, even several years, to complete a project and
each time that happens I feel satisfied and happy. “Remorse is better than regret” fits
me perfectly.

If I could, what would I change about myself? I should trust my instincts more. More
than once it happened to me that I felt quite early on that I was going in the wrong
direction but nevertheless wrongly persisted or wasted time.
What is my greatest achievement in work? Obtaining my Doctorate in Musicology
when I was a student was a very moving moment. I don’t come from a musical
background and when I got into music I had to bend my back to move forward in this
direction despite some derogatory comments. My parents did not have a long
education and they supported me with love. My parents’ pride that evening still
encourages me to move forward today.

Where would I most like to live? The seaside appeals to me.

What is my most treasured possession? My imagination, which is a little crazy and
sometimes exceeds me, is my greatest treasure because I draw on it endlessly to write
texts for myself or for other artists.

What is my most marked characteristic? In my nickname Isa-Aura “Aura” directly
refers to color or the diversity of colors. Color also refers to musical instruments. Each
instrument has a specific color and this multiplicity of colors I use in my compositions.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city? I love being in the Old Port of
Marseille (French: Vieux-Port de Marseille).

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city? I am not attached to a single
city because I have moved several times, not hesitating to change regions, but one
thing is certain: The ocean allows me to recharge my batteries.

What books influenced my life and how? The Lover (French : L’Amant) an
autobiographical novel by Marguerite Duras. I discovered this book quite young when
I was very wise. What I liked was not its scandalous side, it was rather the change of
scenery, the travel, the freedom and especially the feminine freedom. I already knew
at that time that I would not stay in one place all my life, that I had to find a way to
escape.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? The Firebird by
Igor Stravinsky. The famous multiplicity of colors, the orchestral richness. I love
Russian ballets.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? Alexandra, the dancer in the film Flashdance
or the story of Billy Elliott in the film of the same name, two characters from industrial
or disadvantaged backgrounds who struggle to make their dreams come true.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? All the women who are never talked
about but who work hard to support their families and children. All these women around
the world who maintain the courage to move forward or smile despite the hardness of
life and the difficulties. It is also very difficult for me to accept the enslavement of
women in many countries or the lack of parity. I was very lucky to have a father who
was proud to see his daughter study, work, drive, travel, choose her husband. An
enlightened man.

Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime? When harry met Sally
with Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan. This film reminds me of this French expression: “The
grass is always greener elsewhere” while sometimes we simply forget to look at what
is in front of us, missing out on a beautiful love story but also some professional
opportunities.

What role play stories in my life and work? I am a real chameleon who can adapt
to very different environments. It goes back to my childhood. Since we had a peaceful
life in the countryside, my parents wanted me to be able to go out everywhere. They
sent me to summer camps so that I could confront young people from different
backgrounds. Furthermore, I undertook trips outside the tourist circuits to confront the
locals in real life. All these stories or encounters have shaped my personality and are
reflected in my work or my job.

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me? In life we have
the choice between letting others tell our story or telling it ourselves. I prefer to choose
my life and who I want to be.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? My best friends are excellent
in these different roles. We can spend hours telling each other about our lives, crying
together, laughing together, supporting each other.

Which people or companies would I like to work with? Participating in major music
festivals would be an incredible opportunity and adventure. I think of The Francofolies
of La Rochelle (French: Les Francofolies de La rochelle), The Old Charrues (French:
Les vieilles charrues), Les femmes s’en mêlent and all other proposals in this direction
even abroad such The Montreal international pop festival. Festivals with a pop, French
song or world music orientation since I also collaborate with an African Gina d’Affiniam
on certain titles.

What project am I looking forward to work on? As usual I am working on several
projects. I will soon release new solo songs but also duets with Gina d’Affiniam. I also
write songs for other artists.

Where can you see me or my work? My songs are available on networks and all
music platforms. My youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK9rj30AIXlN8PGoONpn1FA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/isa.aura.52/
Facebook artist page: https://www.facebook.com/musique0917/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isaauramusique/

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? I can imagine myself
writing songs for the rest of my life or producing artists.

Which creative professionals should Peter invite to tell their story? Gina
d’Affiniam, a Senegalese artist from Casamance and Héléne Nguyen-Thien, the wife
of the deceased contemporary Vietnamese composer Nguyen-Thien Dao with whom I
wrote an interview book published by Editions Van de Velde “Nguyen-Thien Dao : A
path of contemporary East-West music (French: “Nguyen-Thien Dao – Une voie de la
musique contemporaine Orient-Occident”). The latter sold her apartment to continue
to keep her husband’s name alive and support young musicians through scholarships
and competitions.

How can you contact me?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/isa.aura.52/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isaauramusique/