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Actor Coaches

Here you can find information about coach suggestions through TRU. In alphabetical order by last name. If contact info isn't provided, try Googling them. If our info is outdated, let us know!

Coaches
  • VALERIE ADAMI

    (audition coach) A native New Yorker, Ms. Adami has worked in every area of show business including opera and musical theatre, She moved on to work in voice-overs and industrial narration as well as dayplayers on NY Soaps.  For over twenty-five years she was Director of the Weist-Barron Film & TV School, guiding actors and directing showcase programs.  As an independent Casting Director she specialized in Commercial and Industrial projects for clients such as Sony, AT&T, Franklin Speir Publishing, Hamilton Standard, Virginia Lottery, Riuniti Wines and Parliament Cigarettes (Japan).  She was an original member of the Industry performers group “LABORS OF LOVE” that produced fundraisers benefiting BCEFA.  Currently, coming full circle Valerie was invited to join SWArtists Agency to develop their youth department preparing young actors to successfully pursue their goals.  Her clients have worked on ‘7 Seconds, Billions and Blacklist, numerous independent films and commercials. 

  • GLENN ALTERMAN

    (monolog/audition coach) was voted “Best Monologue/Audition Coach” by the readers of Backstage Magazine, and The Best Monologue/Audition Coach in the Tri-state area” by Theater Resources Magazine.  Author of 30 best selling, theater related books (including 10 books of original monologues). His books “The Perfect Audition Monologue” and “An Actors Guide- Making It In New York City ” are included in the curriculum of many college theater arts departments and required reading in acting schools in the U.S. and Europe. He is listed at RecordSetter.com and The Guinness Book of World Records as the “Author of the Most Published Original Monologues For Actors”. Glenn has taught at such diverse places as the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (London) The Governors School For The Arts (Old Dominion University), The School for Film and Television, The Edward Albee Theater Conference (Valdez, Alaska), Southampton College, The Screen Actors Guild, The Dramatists Guild, Western Connecticut State College, and at many acting schools in the U.S. and Europe, as well as privately coaching and consulting with thousands of students. He is an award winning playwright, and the recipient of a 2017 French Arts Grant, the Julio T. Nunez Artist’s Grant, The Arts and Letters Award in Drama, the Bloomington Playwrights (Reva Shiner Award) and has won over 60 playwriting awards, including being a finalist at The Actor’s Theater of Louisville five times. The Glenn Alterman Studio recently celebrated it’s 25th year. Presently we have nearly 5000 exciting, not over-used and fun to work on monologues. Glenn works with actors at all levels of training and experience and tries to create a supportive, fun, and safe environment to work on monologues for auditions as well as last minute audition material. http://www.glennalterman.com

  • PENELOPE BRACKETT

    is a master certified coach, trainer, author and founder of The Creative Seed Career/Life Coaching and Performers RoadMap. Penelope Brackett is known for her dynamic, accessible and unflagging support in guiding individuals and organizations to creative breakthrough. Her national practice helps artists create successful careers in the context of a joyful life by focusing on: creative and personal strengths, health and well-being, craft excellence, priority and time management, and skilled marketing and networking. Penelope has been featured in The New York Times, The Today Show, Child Magazine, and radio shows: The Reading Hour and The Coaching Hour. Prior to becoming a coach, Penelope worked in the entertainment industry as an actor, director, and producer. She holds a master's degree in drama from Brandeis University. She is the coauthor of “Seven Keys to Success without Struggle”, a performers’ guide to thriving in work and life, along with Director, Lester Thomas Shane. Classes and workshops include: Screen Actors Guild, Circle in the Square Theatre, Brandeis University, Rutgers University, New Actors Workshop, Actors Connection, Dreamcatcher Theater, Charles Tuthill Studio, Elizabeth Browning Studio, and Atlantic Theater. More info: www.performersroadmap.com 201-693-1586

  • LINDA AMIEL BURNS

    has had a lifelong love affair with cabaret and the musical theater. In 1977 she founded THE SINGING EXPERIENCE, workshops in performance technique for people who want to explore their potential, discover their hidden talents, and gain self-confidence through the magic of music. Since that time, thousands of people of all ages and all walks of life, have taken this remarkable journey. Julie Wilson says, "this is the best cabaret performance workshop there is!" Peter Leavy of Cabaret Scenes called Linda "the best teacher." For the past ten years, she has produced and starred in The Singing Experience Cable TV Show on MNN and RCN. Visit her website at www.singingexperience.com

  • RICHARD BUTLER

    has over thirty years of theater experience. He works with actors on character development, audition preparation, and the ongoing pursuit of artistic growth. He is the creator of A Simple Path To a Vivid Performance™, a process that looks at auditions from the point of view of both actor and casting director. It includes six simple steps which are designed to help ensure that you are truly representing your full potential when auditioning with monologues. He collaborates with actors to develop an audition performance that will fully utilize their talents and strengths in a carefully crafted marketing presentation. Among Richard’s many acting credits on both the east and west coasts are Edna Turnblad in Hairspray, Bob in Beyond Therapy, Guiteau in Assassins, and Rick Steadman in The Nerd. He has also appeared in several original musicals, including Girl Gang at NYMF and Christmas Interruptus at the John Houseman Studio Theatre. He has directed numerous productions; recent credits include In the Wilderness at the Planet Connections Festivity and the award-winning musical Bad Christmas Sweater at The Players Theatre Short Play and Musical Festival. Richard has studied with William Esper (acting), Martin Waldron (voice and speech), Loyd Williamson (movement for the actor), Pierre Lefèvre (mask technique), and is a graduate of the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. He is a member of the American Society for Training & Development. Email: RichPButler@gmail.com or call 917-202-4865.

  • ROSALYN COLEMAN

    This Yale Drama School Graduate is a busy actress and an incredible acting coach.  Voted Favorite On Camera Teacher in the 2011 Backstage Readers Poll, Roz served as on-set coach for HBO's hit series In Treatment. Roz specializes on-camera basics, script analysis, cold reads, and techniques for working with camera, script and reader. Roz just finished a run on Broadway as Stand By for Angela Bassett in THE MOUNTAINTOP, other Broadway credits include RADIO GOLF, SEVEN GUITARS, MULE BONE and PIANO LESSON. With numerous film and TV credits, including the films BROOKLYN'S FINEST, IT’S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY and FRANKIE AND ALICE starring Halle Berry, Roz was most recently cast in the HBO pilot SPRING/FALL. With her film production company: Red Wall Productions, Rosalyn has cast and directed several award winning films that have screened on TV nationwide and in film festivals all over the world.  Roz is currently casting the series JUSTICE which she will direct in late March, and is about to go into production for another series WEDDINGS AMERICAN STYLE. "The greatest pleasure for me as a teacher is to facilitate the person to reach their humanity. I want my clients to leave the room knowing their personal power as a base to communicate anything that a human is capable of experiencing. It’s not a job; it’s a joy." rozactingcoach@gmail.com

  • SONYA COOKE

    has a mission as an acting coach to provide affordable and professional training to actors of all backgrounds. A professional actress, director and producer and alumna from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, Sonya synthesizes a wide variety of time-tested and powerful techniques, such as: Meisner, Neoclassical, Donnellan, Alexander, and Williamson in order to create a tailor-made program for the student. Please visit her website,www.sonyacooke.com, to read more about her pay-as-you-go services.

  • MATTHEW DEMING

    is a graduate of Boston University’s School for the Arts, where he studied vocal performance and piano.  He has been teaching private voice for over nine years in Boston and New York. He is also the founder ofThe Audition Room, a master class series for musical theater performers to meet casting directors, agents, directors and music directors. Musical theater performance credits include: The Visit with Chita Rivera (Signature Theater), A Christmas Carol(Trinity Repertory Company), James Joyce’s The Dead (Huntington Theater Company), Floyd Collins (Speakeasy Stage Company), Showboat, Bells Are Ringing, JC Superstar (Allenberry Playhouse), Kiss Me Kate (Carousel Dinner Theater),Joseph… (Ogunquit Playhouse). He has music directed and played piano for several productions including: Annie, Grease, Kiss Me Kate, Into the Woods, Hello Dolly, and Music Man. Recordings include: Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Allegro. He is a regular singer with the New York Philharmonic, American Symphony Orchestra, Musica Sacra, the Bard Music Festival, the Mostly Mozart Festival. For more information please go to www.matthewdeming.net

  • JOHN DeSOTELLE

    is the founder of the John DeSotelle Studio and is the Artistic Director of the Nu•ance Theatre.  He has been acting, directing and teaching in the theater for more than 20 years.  John taught the Meisner technique at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, has instructed American Idol finalists, developed a number of acting workshops for adults, teens and children and has been coaching actors in New York and California since 2001. He holds an MFA in Acting from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University under the tutelage of William Esper, Maggie Flannigan, Lloyd Williamson and Lenard Petit. As a coach, John draws on a compilation of methodologies, artistry and an innate understanding of each actor’s process.  His approach is as a collaborator, working in partnership with each actor – first to understand the script and character psychology, then to develop layers of emotional truths, objectives, behavior and human reactions to effect the most authentic and personal performance from each and every actor he works with. 

  • LAURIE ELISCU

    is an experienced and successful Acting Coach and Director and Performer. She creates a supportive atmosphere and loves working with actors! In fact, she let out bigger screaming HOOTS of JOY when one of her actors got into Yale School of Drama than when her son got into Oberlin and Tufts. (He understood.) She started in acting at the Woodstock Playhouse, Mahopac Farm Playhouse, and Schoolhouse Theater performing in musicals and straight plays. This background enables her to communicate well with actors, understand their process, and help them identify with characters, making the material their own. Laurie’s directing credits include both Equity and non-Equity venues: The Schoolhouse Theater,  Pioneer Playhouse, Shadowland, Rhinebeck PAC, Tappan Zee Playhouse, several NYC showcases and productions through Hudson River Rep, where she is the founder/Artistic Director.  Her strong sense of dramatic structure helps the actors identify turning points, while her directorial eye helps with the use of space and movement so that all elements, from vocal to silences, create a dynamic and moving audition. As a director, Laurie casts actors – and being on that side of the desk gives her insight as to what is really engaging. She has an MFA from Sarah Lawrence, has taught acting at several colleges including SUNY-Purchase, and is a member of SDC (Directors union) AEA, SAG-AFTRA and the Dramatists Guild as a musical writer. www.HudsonRiverRep.org  or email LaurieEliscu@gmail.com

  • SHIRA FLAM

    teaches vocal production with a discerning,  positive and caring approach tailored to the need of each individual.  She is a specialist in "Breathing Coordination" as put forth by Carl Stough. Shira was born into an illustrious family of professional singers. As a singer/actress she has appeared on the stages of the Metropolitan Opera, The Kennedy Center, and The Pantages Theatre in Hollywood in musical genres ranging from opera to musical theatre to standards. Additionally, she has headlined concerts nationally, in NYC at the Grand Ballroom of the NY Hilton and in various festivals throughout Manhattan including "Yiddish Divas in the Parks" with Claire Barry and Tovah Feldshuh. Shira's versatile career in the performing arts gives her an ability to offer expert guidance in many aspects of the business. Off-Broadway, regionally in opera and on national tour in roles running the gamut from leading ladies, to boys, to villains, her parts include:  Actors Studio The Reckonings, Amalia in She Loves Me, Louisa in The Fantastics, Fiona in Brigadoon and Carrie in Carousel. Dan's Papers of the Hamptons says of her role in The Telephone  "Exquisitely sung and acted ... charming and vivacious .”  Other operatic roles performed include, Norina in Don Pasquale, Gretel in H&G, Adele in Die Fledermaus, Mabel in Pirates of Penzance. She has played roles in films with Gene Hackman, Sarah Jessica Parker and Patrick Wilson. Shira studied acting privately with Anna Deavere Smith and in the STC at ACT in San Francisco. She completed the two year studio program with Bill Esper and Lloyd Williamson in NYC. Shira accepts students on all levels and works very well with beginners, dancers and actors.  She has a private vocal studio in New York City and also teaches internationally on Skype.

  • PETE JENSEN

    is an award-winning screenwriter and TV writer, director, teacher, and acting coach. He holds an MFA in Film from Columbia University, where he studied theater with Anne Bogart. As an acting coach, he has helped actors and comedians book roles on TV shows such as Suburgatory, Law & Order, Gossip Girl, Party Down, and many others, as well as several independent films. He's currently in development with a TV pilot for cable TV. At Actors Connection, Pete teaches our Acting 101 and 102 classes as well as individually coaches our advanced actors.

  • QURRAT ANN KADWANI

    is an actress, producer, MC, TV Host and philanthropist.  She is the founding Artistic Director of eyeBLINK (www.eyeblink.org ) and the head of the Theatre department. She is a graduate of The Bronx High School of Science and a theater graduate of SUNY Geneseo with a double scholarship recipient for her directing and acting contributions.  Ms. Kadwani has taught a Monologue Writing and Performance Workshop, and Acting classes for Stage and Film.  She is the first South Asian female to have her solo play, They Call Me Q, Off Broadway, with awards, critical praise, 100+ shows over a 7 month run and college performances all over the US with workshops on diversity, acting and writing.  She has been featured on FOX News, News 12 Bronx, Fox 5 NY, Playbill.com, Broadway.com.  As an actress, she has been in stage, film and TV in NYC as well as regionally.  She has also been the MC and host for galas, fundraisers, weddings and educational videos.  She is the host of Salon Radio featuring female artists on City World Radio. She also coordinates A Slice of Hope, spreading joy and optimism at homeless shelters with pizza parties and Echoes of Love, raising funds for suicide prevention with music.   www.qkadwani.com  

  • BOB KALE

    A partial list of the projects Bob has worked on as a casting director would include: Broadway— Souvenir, King Hedley II (August Wilson), An Inspector Calls, A Tale Of Two Cities, Little Women-The Musical, The Who's Tommy, Titanic-The Musical, The Life, Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel.  Off-Broadway includesFrank McGuinness' Gates Of Gold, Dracula, Dietrich & Chevalier, Over the River and Through the Woods, Avow, The Deep Throat Sex Scandal, Tap Dogs. Tours include—The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas starring Ann-Margret, Barry Manilow's Copacabana, Nunsense (25th Anniversary Tour), Bring in da Noise, Bring in da Funk starring Savion Glover; TelevisionHBO's Scarred City, Due South, Elmo’s World: Happy Holidays!, PBS Sesame Street, Cosby Mysteries, As The World Turns, and the miniseries Sally Hemmings (NY Casting). Feature Film includesJack & Jill (additional NY Casting), You Don't Mess With The Zohan (additional NY casting), I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry (additional NY casting), Beavis and Butthead Do America (NY Voice Casting), The Quest for Camelot (NY Voice Casting), Looney Tunes: Back in Action (NY Voice Casting), Big Daddy (NY Casting), Little Nicky (NY Casting). See www.bobkaleonline.com for more information.

  • PAUL KATZ

    From member Sheree Sano: "I've worked with him and he really knows how to bring out the best in anyone's performance. He's worked with everyone, has excellent credentials and is an absolute pleasure to work with and learn from."
    As a youngster, Paul Katz studied piano, voice training and sight singing at the Chatham Square Music School (Dir: Fredrick Popper) and then at Mannes Prep (Dir: Rise Stevens) here in New York. Other education: York University BFA with Honours in Film Production, Toronto; The B.M.I. Workshop with Lehman Engel, New York. Voice Training: Joan Kobin and Lehman Bick (N.Y.) Paul Katz has worn many hats in the performing world - mostly as a pianist, singer, actor, teacher, and record and event producer. Not only was he under contract as an actor on ANOTHER WORLD (NBC) he also wrote the songs that were featured on the show.His musicals have been seen in major venues nationwide: Tales of Tinseltown, Slay it with Music, Dirty Dreams of a Clean Cut Kid to name a few, in major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Miami. In WE’LL MEET AGAIN (45th Street Theater, York Theater) Paul musical directed and was a featured singer-performer. As a record producer, Mr. Katz is usually featured as a vocalist and as vocal arranger, as in the recording Joy Bogen – Kurt Weill. Paul Katz -- 212-245-5153 -- musicat245@gmail.com

  • GRACE KILEY

    SAG-AFTRA, AEA, MHC, coaches and directs for film and stage. She teaches privately at Grace Kiley Acting in NYC, NYU Kanbar Film & TV, Trinity La Mama, and other programs including Stella Adler Studio and Stonestreet Studios. She is Artistic Director for Kiley Ensemble and directed the recent sold out show, Time Stands Still. Her award winning solo play Grace Kelly Longing for Grace (playwright and performer) directed by Austin Pendleton, has performed internationally. She specializes in developing original material with actors and writers. Grace trained with Uta Hagen at HB Studio. gracekiley.com

  • SARA LOUISE LAZARUS

    (musical performance coach) is a MAC and BackStage Bistro Award-Winning Director. She has created and directed shows at Feinsteins at the Regency, Rainbow and Stars, The Russian Tea Room and Cabaret Comes To Carnegie. In New York, she directed Tovah Feldshuh’s one-woman Off-Broadway show, Tovah Out Of Her Mind, the revival of Babes In Arms at Avery Fisher Hall, the world premiere of Terrence McNally’s Plaisir D’Amour and Ludlow Ladd starring Kristen Chenoweth. At the 92nd Street Y, Sara co-wrote and directed The 1959 Broadway Songbook for their Lyrics and Lyricists series. She staged two Harvard Hasty Pudding Shows, and She Loves Me at Yale featuring Melissa Errico. Other regional productions include Ernest In Love with Jimmy Smits, and Starting Here, Starting Now with Carolee Carmello. She co-founded Paper Mill Prep at NJ’s Tony-winning Paper Mill Playhouse. Sara has taught workshops for Yale, the University of New Hampshire, and Penn State, as well as Master Classes in Los Angeles produced by ASCAP. At The Sara Lazarus Studio she teaches popular professional musical audition and performance classes, and over the past 18 years she has developed the musical theatre curriculum at Circle In The Square Theatre School. Her students have appeared in the Broadway and National tours of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, School Of Rock, Bette Midler’s Hello, Dolly, Once, Book of Mormon, Wicked, TV’s Smash and Glee and many more. A protégé of the brilliant David Craig, Sara is a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, Actors Equity Association, and the League of Professional Theatre Women.

  • CATHERINE LAMM

    literary & casting director of TRU, is a director and private coach who has trained with the Royal National Theatre (Edinburgh), the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation, and the American Film Institute. She was formerly the casting director for the Chelsea and West Side Theaters. Catherine is also a feature writer and reviewer for Stage Press Weekly and British Theatre Guide . A veteran theatre professional, she has worked with The Players' Guide , Samuel French, and Broadway producers Mordeccai & Associates, and is a sometime dramaturg/literary consultant to various NYC-based theatre companies and producing organizations. A former professional actor with Off Broadway and West End roles to her credit, Catherine has been teaching actors about the business of performing since 1986. www.catherinelamm.com

  • FRANK LICATO

    is artistic Director of Hudson Theatre Works. Nominated for an Obie award for his performance in Deathwatch which the NY Times called a ‘performance on another plane’. Regionally he worked at the American Repertory Theatre, the Delaware Theatre Company and the Boston Shakespeare Company. TV Credits: “Third Watch”, Sidney Lumet’s “100 Centre Street” and with Frank Sinatra in “First Deadly Sin.” His production of The Late Christopher Bean (Summit Playhouse) received eight 2011 Perry Award nominations. Neil LaBute’s The Shape of Things was selected as a regional finalist in the Kennedy Center’s American College Theatre Festival. He staged the Off-Broadway hit revival of Rod Serling's Requiem For A Heavyweight and the award winning Off-Broadway revival of Sam Shepard's Seduced at the Kraine Theater and received a best director award from the Off-Broadway Review.

  • ANNIE MEISELS

    has been a working actor and voice over artist for 20+ years. She's worked in all mediums as an actress and has done extensive voice over and commercial work. She's been the voice of many campaigns and you've heard her on hundreds of commercials both radio and TV.   As a voice over coach she'll prepare you to make a VO mp3.  You'll learn how to use vocal placement and dynamics. How to use operative words, make a connection and ultimately book the job.  As an audition coach we'll break down the material and check that you're making strong choices that tell the story. We make sure you're ready for adjustments so you can book the job.  Her clients clients are working actors who continue to work.  They have been on and off B'way on TV, in film as well as TV personalities.  Annie also coaches corporate clients in 'A Powerful Voice'.  Visit: APowerfulVoice.net and www.facebook.com/Acting.VoiceOver.Coach.AnnieMeisels

  • DOUG OBERHAMER

    credits range from Broadway and Off Broadway to National and International Tours. He also works as a Composer, Arranger, Orchestrator, Music Producer, and Vocal Coach in New York and abroad. Original featured cast member and Associate Conductor/AMD of the Broadway Musical: Swing! Composer of the new musicals in development Believe in Love and Errol and Fidel which won “Best of the Fest” at the New York Musical Theatre Festival and Doug won Best Orchestrations. Music Directing/Supervising Credits include: Top Of The World, CagneySwing!Thoroughly Modern MillieSaturday Night FeverCrazy for YouHamlet: The Rock Musical, We Will Rock YouThe Man of La Mancha, FrankensteinNunsenseWhat Do Critics Know?, Dracula, Reel to RealMy Vaudeville ManWanda's WorldFlight of the Lawnchair ManI Got FiredWomen on the VergeSeeing StarsRings, and GeminiDoug can also be found in the Cabaret world as a Music Director, Arranger and Orchestrator. He has performed at Birdland, The Zipper, The Triad, Joe’s Pub, Feinsteins 54 Below, Don’t Tell Mama’s, and Rose’s Turn with shows such as: Steppin’ OutLittle DeathForeign Currency, Top Drawer, Sirens of the Silver Screen, Love Stories, The A**hole in My Head and many others. Recording Artist, Co-Creator of both KnightHammer and The Oberhamer Brothers- both groups can be heard on SiriusXm and Radio Stations around the world. He can be heard as the featured trumpet soloist on the Sony Classics Grammy nominated recording of Swing! as well as MCA Records Vanessa Daou’s "Slow to Burn”.  He was nominated for a Jefferson Award for his work on Swing! in Chicago and won a Bistro Award for excellence in Musical Direction and Arranging/Orchestrating for Little Death.  Love to his wife Christine and daughters Scarlett and Natalie for their love and support. Vocal Coach to hundreds of performers around the world working on Broadway, Off-Broadway, National Tours, Regional Productions and Pop/Rock Tours.  
  • REGINA O'MALLEY

    had a long and varied career as both an actress and a singer, easily crossing over from one medium to another. She appeared on Broadway in Blood Brothers in both leading roles, Mrs.Lyons and Mrs. Johnston. She toured with The First National Tour of Les Mis and appeared at The Kennedy Center in On Your Toes. Several off-broadway shows too, most notablyForbidden Broadway. She toured as Gretel in The New American Opera's Hansel and Gretel. Extensive work in regional theaters: Sarah in Guys and Dolls at Seattle Rep, Adrianna in Boys from Syracuse at Goodspeed Opera House and Violet in Ken Ludwig's Sullivan and Gilbert at The Huntington in Boston. Leading roles at Indiana Rep, Buffalo Studio Arena, and Maine State and Papermill Playhouse. Television appearances and many national commercials. Regina switched gears when her children were young to pursue teaching. She found her true passion in the classroom. She teaches, acting, musical theatre, and improvisation all over from Shanghai to Mexico to New York City! Her job is to help performers find their joy in performing. Education: BFA Boston Conservatory(acting, musical theatre). Meisner studies at The Gately-Poole Studio. Arts in Education-graduate studies at Marymount Manhattan College.

  • KATRINA ROBINSON

    is the Founder of CTA, which stands for Collaborative Teaching Artists with an emphasis on COLLABORATIVE. We are trying to create a Supportive Community where performers - Beginners to Professionals- have a place to learn their new skills and hone their craft. Katie has been teaching and coaching voices, as well as performing, for over 10 years. Having graduated from the Steinhardt School at New York University with a Bachelors degree in Vocal Performance (Classical Voice), she continued her Master’s degree at the Steinhardt School at NYU in Vocal Performance (Classical Voice) where she studied with Dr. Brian Gill. Katie simultaneously received her Post Masters Advanced Certificate in Vocal Pedagogy. While attending NYU she taught a variety of singers as an Adjunct Professor of Voice ranging from complete beginners to recording artists and professional performers. Her students have gone on to perform in semi-professional and professional choirs, musical theater performances, as well as operas and classical concerts around the city. Additionally, she has also helped many singers in the rehabilitation of their voices. Katie also teaches private voice at Highbridge Voices, a non-profit free after school program for grades 4-12.

  • BRAD ROSS

    is a widely recognized vocal coach, composer and pianist. Brad is familiar with repertoire, vocal technique, 16 bar cuts, pop music, and song presentation. He's helped many actors get call-backs and jobs. He's played auditions for Shrek, Chicago, Mamma Mia and many other shows. In 2009, Brad was voted Favorite Accompanist in the Backstage Reader's Choice Awards. He plays at Actors Connection and TVI. He's played workshops with Eric Woodall. He's also played for agencies like Bauman Redanty, Dulcina Eisen, Bret Adams, and Henderson Hogan. Brad knows the ropes when it comes to delivering an effective audition.

  • KEN SCHATZ

    (SAG-AFTRA, AEA) has been training professional actors for their best work in film, television, and theater for over 30 years. His students and coaching clients can be seen in popular and cutting-edge work on and off Broadway, in celebrated theater productions everywhere, and in countless hit films and TV shows. They include multiple Academy Award, Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, Grammy, Obie, Tony, and Emmy Award winners and nominees. He has taught, coached, directed, and developed training programs for many well-known acting schools, universities, production companies, talent agencies, and casting offices, including NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Stella Adler Studio, Circle in the Square, Harlem School of the Arts, and MTV. He has trained and taught with eminent teachers and directors in many different specialties, including Moni Yakim, creator of the movement programs at Juilliard and Yale and author of CREATING A CHARACTER. Ken has been featured in the ACT NY Guide to Qualified Acting Coaches; his coaching credits include THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY, COP LAND with Robert De Niro and Sylvester Stallone, Tim Blake Nelson's THE GREY ZONE, SHADRACH with Harvey Keitel and Andie MacDowell, SPIN CITY, CRIME SPREE, Jeff Stark’s THE DREARY COAST, and many other films, television shows, commercials, and theater productions. For actors at every level of the industry—from celebrities to new talent—and for every kind of acting work, Ken offers comprehensive, clear, exciting professional instruction and practical technique solutions—the finest private coaching and consulting, expert project and role coaching for film, television, and theater, special workshops for casts and companies, and ongoing master classes in New York, Los Angeles, online via Zoom, and around the world. Ken’s Studio is dedicated to the genius, power, and success of the free, creative acting artist. www.thekenstudio.com

  • VICKI SHAGHOIAN

    is a New York-based vocal coach and music director.  She was a professor of acting at the Yale School of Drama, and has taught for A.C.T., and New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts. Her clients have included Bette Midler (Hello Dolly), Bryan Tarell Clark (Hamilton), Bryce Pinkham (Tony nominee, How to Get Away with Murder), Adina Verson (Tony Award Winner, Indecent & Collective Rage),  Ato Blankson-Wood (Total Bent), Samantha Sidely (Foo Fighters), and Carmen Ruby Floyd (After Midnight & Hello Dolly).  Among her many affiliations as a performer and vocal/music director are The Public Theatre, The Drama League, The Vineyard Theatre, The Old Globe and the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Centre. Vicki is a proud member of AEA, AGMA and The ACTORS CENTER.  This September Shaghoian will be a guest artist for Westport Playhouse Annual Gala Celebration featuring Kelli O’Hara and Seth Rudetsky.

  • DAVID SISCO

    is a multi-faceted professional artist, whose life work centers around exploring music, drama, writing and teaching. A winner of the 2010 NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) Composition Award, David is a prolific art song composer. His songs have been heard at concerts produced by Friends & Enemies of New Music, New Music New York, Joy in Singing, Lyricfest, Songfest and Songfusion. Last season, Sisco was commissioned to write a multi-movement work for Manhattan Girls Chorus entitled “I AM” based on the girls’ words. He has recently completed a commissioned work by Mirari Brass Quintet, entitled Visage. David is member of the Dramatist’s Guild and BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theater Workshop (Advanced) and is the author of Here I Am: A Musical Personal Ad, Variations on a Theme of You, and BAIT n’ SWISH. David was recently invited to be part of the 2015 New Dramatists Composer-Librettist Studio in New York. He’s currently collaborating with book writer/lyricist Tom Gualtieri on two musicals: Falling to Earth, and I’m Afraid, You’re Afraid: 448 Things to Fear And Why. You can find out more by visiting their website. David has been a proud member of The Marble Choir for over thirteen years and recorded four CDs with the premier ensemble, including the premiere recording of his piece, “Awake My Heart” (available on iTunes). David has served on the voice faculties at Northeastern and Suffolk University, and currently teaches private voice at Marymount Manhattan College. He also maintains a private studio in New York and leads masterclasses around the country on preparing contemporary art song and musical theatre. He has presented papers at the 2010 NMTA (National Music Teachers Association) Conference, 2012 NATS Conference and the 2013 ICVT (International Congress of Voice Teachers) Conference in Australia. With business partner Laura Josepher, David runs contemporarymusicaltheatre.com, a resource that helps teachers, students and professionals find well-written, largely self-published contemporary musical theatre songs. He serves on the artistic board for Encores! Off-Center at City Center (Jeanine Tesori, Artistic Director). David earned a BA in Vocal Performance with Composition Honors from Syracuse University and a MM in Vocal Performance from Boston University. siscosong.com

  • CYNTHIA STRAUS

    a Registered Rodenburg Teacher! Teaching Patsy Rodenburg's voice, speech and presence work is an absolute joy for Cynthia.  Although she has been teaching since 2015, Cynthia is happy to announce her official certification as a Registered Rodenburg Teacher as of July of 2017. She is among ten inaugural teachers selected by Patsy Rodenburg (OBE) for her Master Teachers Certification Program. You may ask "what is this work?" This work, formally known as "Embodiment",  is not descriptive, it is experiential. By releasing excess tensions from the body, opening the breath, freeing the voice, and finally connecting the free, open voice to language we have a chance to meet text, and life with full presence. But, do not take my word for it. Try a session and see for yourself... We work on Shakespearean as well as Contemporary text. Non-Actors will begin with given text and then move onto whatever will best serve their needs. Cynthia is available for classes, workshops, private or semi-private lessons. She also works with actors on set, or in rehearsal process via director/producer request. For inquiries to working with Cynthia, please click here.

     

  • BRYAN WADE

     is a musical director, Broadway accompanist and vocal coach. He has musical directed/conducted productions for New York Musical Theater Festival, Midtown International Theater Festival, the Irish Repertory Theater and the York Theater.  He has served as musical director for over twenty stage productions in regional venues along the East Coast, including Orchard Beach (ME), Hampton Playhouse (NH), Capital Repertory (NY), John Engelman Theater (NY), and the Spoleto Festival (Charleston, SC).
    A native Virginian, he earned both his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Piano Performance with a minor in Vocal Performance from Virginia Commonwealth University.  He earned certification in Vocal Pedagogy from VCU. He completed his post-graduate studies at The Catholic University of America, earning his Ph.D. in Music.  Dr. Wade’s students currently perform on Broadway, Off-Broadway, national tours, regional theaters and as featured performers on cruise line productions.  He conducts performance master classes on the national collegiate circuit.  He was vocal director for both Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise lines, and he has served on the faculties of Marymount Manhattan College and The American Musical and Dramatic

  • NATALIE WILSON

    Natalie's professional voice students perform on Broadway, Off-Broadway, on national tours, and with regional theaters across the country. And now with zoom lessons, she has students studying with her from as far away as California, Puerto Rico, and the UK. A former opera singer herself, Natalie melds traditional bel canto technique with modern voice science. Her students develop strong, flexible voices that can meet the demands of a professional musical theater career without strain or fatigue. Natalie also enjoys working with amateurs and young singers and has successfully prepared numerous youngsters for acceptance into the Professional Performing Arts School and LaGuardia High School. In addition to her private studio, she is currently on faculty at Circle in the Square Theater School and at CAP 21/Molloy College. Natalie holds a Masters Degree in Voice Performance and Pedagogy, and her performing career included such diverse roles as the title role in Carmen, Sesto in La Clemenza di Tito, and Desiree in A Little Night Music. In 25 years of teaching, Natalie has taught vocal technique, sight-singing and music theory, and music history. Also now a writer for both stage and screen, Natalie knows the performing arts business from many sides. www.nataliewilson.com

  • JEFF ZEINER

    brings to his teaching a varied and interesting background in the theatre. He spent 13 years as a successful New York talent agent, has extensive experience as a casting director, producer, director, and as an actor. He currently directs his dramatic improv company in compelling theatrical events rich in elements of drama and social significance.