Working with kids a delicate balancing act for ‘The Voice’ coaches

For the coaches of the new season of “The Voice Kids,” working with hopefuls aged 7 to 14 is a delicate balancing act between helping nurture their dreams and pushing them just enough to unlock their potential.

So while the show is, first and foremost, a competition, Stell Ajero, Julie Anne San Jose, Pablo Nase and Billy Crawford intend to create a healthy environment where children can enjoy themselves and savor this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“We’re dealing with their dreams. I don’t want to be the one to ruin the very dreams we’re trying to build together… At first, I have to tell them good things, so that they would choose me as coach. But in the following battles, I will also be the one to decide who I have to send home or bring with me in the next rounds,” Stell said at a press conference.

Firm decision-maker

The situation, Stell said, is like being a parent who is made to choose which kids to bring on a vacation abroad. But fortunately, his experience as a coach in “The Voice Generations” last year has helped him become a firm decision-maker.

He’s also mindful of the way he plans to encourage his future team.

“I chose you because I know you have something to showcase and that you’re deserving. But as we go on this journey together, I want you to show me that you can keep up because it’s not just you who has big dreams. Show me that you’re deserving and we will do everything to reach those dreams,” Stell said.

He added that this has nothing to do with him wanting to score another win. “I don’t want to make them feel that it’s winning I’m only concerned about,” stressed Stell, who led the group VocalMyx to victory in “The Voice Generations.” “I simply want them to enjoy themselves. This is something they won’t get to experience often. We want to show the kids a healthy environment.”

The sixth season of “The Voice Kids,” which premieres Sept. 15 at 7:05 p.m. on GMA 7, found a new coach in Pablo. Since his SB19 bandmate Stell is already in, he didn’t expect the same opportunity to come his way.

When it did, he grabbed it because he’s already at a point in his career, he said, where he wants to impart the musical knowledge he has gained from his seven years performing with and producing music for SB19. But like Stell, Pablo emphasized the need to promote a “friendly environment” for the kids.

Unforgettable experience

“When you’re dealing with kids, you have to be positive. Sometimes, there have to be criticisms. But at this stage, what’s important is that they know that someone’s pushing them. It’s a competition. It’s a small part of their journey as singers,” he said.

But there’s more to competition than winning. “The important things are the friendships they will build and the knowledge they will get. So that when they go outside, they can enhance their abilities and project who they really are,” he said. “We want to give them an unforgettable experience and inspire them to continue their dreams.”

While he has “a reputation for appearing masungit,” Pablo believes that his experience as a producer who has dealt with different types of personalities will be his advantage. “I have worked with singers with different vocal timbres, different attitudes. I believe I can guide the kids to maximize their potential. And I hope they see that in me,” he said.

Former child performer

As a former child performer himself, Billy knows all too well that show biz can get “pretty cruel”—especially so for children who are still “very fragile.” As such, mentoring aspirants who might end up following a career path similar to his, is a big responsibility for Billy.

“There’s pressure… They look up to us. Now I have a platform to motivate them, teach them the tricks of the trade that we can pass on,” said Billy, who entered the biz at the age of 4 through the iconic variety show “That’s Entertainment.”

“I have always wanted to help other performers enhance their skills. That’s what I have been doing for myself, trying to perfect my craft for the past 30 or so years,” said Billy, who also hopes to educate children about the reality of facing defeat.

“You have to be honest. There will be a winner and losers. But I want to tell them that their career won’t end just because of one competition. They’re here to compete, but they also have to learn how to accept defeat,” he said.

But of course, nothing beats seeing children showcase their talents and fulfill their dreams. “It’s such a beautiful thing,” Billy said. “Even if they go onstage, not knowing if they’re going to make it or not, the experience itself is a core memory. And I hope people see that.”

Purpose in life

Of the four coaches, it’s probably Julie Anne San Jose who can relate most to “The Voice Kids” hopefuls. At the tender age of 4, she finished first runner-up in “Eat Bulaga’s” “Little Miss Philippines.” At 11, she was a finalist in the singing contest “Pop Star Kids.”

And while those stints did open doors for her, the journey wasn’t always smooth sailing. “There were hardships. There was a time when I wasn’t sure whether I should continue or not, because I felt like nothing was really happening,” she said.

But there must be a good reason God gave her the talents she has, Julie Anne surmised. “I realized that I shouldn’t quit because the Lord gave me the talent and opportunities. I’m going to use them. He made me an instrument to make people happy and inspire children,” she said. “I think this is my purpose in life.”