Rogers, MN Improv Acting Lessons

nals coupled with academic studies rebuilt my perception of how I was generating sound and their training gave me back MY VOICE, for which I am forever grateful. I combine knowledge from these studies and my own vocal exploration to re-build my voice in exercises that I share with students of voice.

I CAN HELP YOU REACH YOUR GOALS: My cross-training in dance, yoga, Tai Chi, commercial & improvisational acting provides a well-rounded platform from which to deliver information, guide vocal explorers and also help develop talent.

EXPERIENCE:
* 18 years teaching experience
* 12 years living & working in Los Angeles
* A lifetime of performing experience
* 12 years personal private vocal studies master teachers of bel canto & contemporary singing techniques.

LIFE SKILLS: No matter the subject, my focus is also teach skills that can be extrapolated into any area of your life. Life Skills focuses on eradicating negative self-talk and expanding communication skills that help develop confidence, enhancing daily life.

Between performing and my own artistic studies, I have been taking the occasional private voice student since 1997, mostly via referrals from friends and other students. While living in California, one of my voice teachers requested me as her regular substitute at Culver City and Santa Monica Music Schools from 2008-2012, which I felt deeply honored. She said she trusted me with their voices, which encouraged me into full-time voice teaching practice. In June 2012, I returned to Minneapolis and began teaching in my home studio through music services like Take Lessons. Past projects include producing a vocal showcase at The Ritz Theater, musical direction & choreography for a school's 2016 production of the Wizard of Oz; assisting students to prepare for local & national auditions like La Banda, The Voice & American Idol; prepping singers for studio recordings and congratulating a new student who's stepped out of the chorus to land her first lead role!

I am forever grateful to all of my teachers, past and present, for their valuable gifts of knowledge, skill, grace and compassion.

ENJOY LIFE MORE! Singing & dancing improves our quality of life.

*** STUDIO POLICIES ***

Always know that any personal data shared will be held in strict confidence.

STUDIO HOURS: EDEN PRAIRIE Central Standard Time
Mon-Thurs 10:00am-8:00pm
Fri 10:00am-5:00pm
Sat 10:00am-2:00pm
Sun 4:00pm-7:00pm

TRAVEL
Cost for travel is $1 per minute.

CANCELLATIONS
Mutual 24-hour advance notice agreement states both parties will respect the difficulty of planning schedules by providing 24-hour notice to change a reserved lesson time.

* Cancellations within 24-hours of lesson require a phone call or text
- Lessons not cancelled w/24-hour notice are the responsibility of the cancelling party to makeup

*** STUDIO EQUIPMENT ***

EDEN PRAIRIE: Lessons in separate "studio" room, electric piano, mirror, music stands, table for your water, chair. Parents/loved ones can lounge in the large comfortable lobby area, drink free coffee/hot chocolate, read, use the free Wi-Fi, or watch TV [see photos below].

he University of Minnesota, Harmon Place Players, and the Rhombus Theater Company.

*** Lesson Details ***
Students can expect lessons to be structured while being tailored to their desires and goals. Mark likes to focus on what students want to learn while pushing them to challenge themselves. His goal is to “bring out the artist” in his students but he also understands lessons should be fun.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I will suggest necessary teaching materials/books. Students need their own instruments.

*** Specialties ***
Rock, Jazz, Funk, Blues, Pop, etc

Rock, Jazz and Folk Music of your choice. Today's modern new guitars are easy to play and you will enjoy learning Guitar right away. That is how it should be.
When you study there is a basic understanding of Guitar to be learned that allows an ease of use for anyone for years to come. This will help you reach your goal and improve each week. My students learn to practice in a way that feels comfortable and makes sense. This takes all the stress out of learning and gives everyone something to smile about and look forward to each week.

The good feeling of playing along with friends and taking a solo is within every students grasp. I will show you the way there. And with a solid and straightforward approach to the theory as it applies directly to the guitar you will feel confident and unafraid of any music endeavor. We'll cover harmony and fingerboard theory and give you a road map of the guitar neck that makes it a pleasure to play. You learn the basics and much more than you thought possible retaining 90 percent of what you learn!

Having been a student myself I was deeply involved in music since age 12 and played in bands and duos for over 15 years . I can help you to be a well rounded player and performer with a smile, a laugh and a joy for music whether your in a band or a budding solo artist.

*** Lesson Details ***
Most students want to play the Guitar to play their favorite songs and I'm the same way. Music is something we carry with us in our hearts and minds. Students will learn what they wish to learn and work at a pace that is comfortable to them. Whether you are a student, “weekend warrior” or a parent whose child has expressed an interest in Guitar anyone can learn all there is to know about Harmony and Theory for the Guitar and how to play their favorite songs.

We cover theory in an easy and straightforward no nonsense way in the first half of each lesson and then apply it to the song you wish to learn. This creates an atmosphere where you understand and feel at home with the Guitar. You get an understanding right away and because it is immediately fun it allows you to feel comfortable at any level. Music is fun, and songs are the creative expression of what we feel. Combining theory and the freedom to play and sing songs allows us to express ourselves through music. 
After 6 months students will have a solid foundation in theory, and a road map of the guitar fretboard enabling them to advance to an intermediate level if they are ready to do so. Students will know enough that music as it relates to the Guitar, which is the world’s most popular instrument in contemporary music, is not a mystery but is a welcome friend. And they will be able to play songs by popular artists and advance at a pace that is satisfying and enjoyable.
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Student Comments:
What Students Are Saying About ~ James Teaching Style

“James’ patience, knowledge and under-standing made learning guitar fun. I like the lessons. He cares.”
--Rebecca L., guitar
student, Venice Beach, CA 2003

“James taught me to
play pop and rock, and
introduced me to
fingerstyle guitar. I love it!”
--Joseph E., guitar student, Vancouver, BC 2006

“I studied guitar privately with James in 2010. His style of teaching helped me to get
past my blocks. He opened new doors for me. Thanks!”
--Daniel S., guitar
student, Los Angeles, CA 2010
""James is a trustworthy man, great with answering back right away. Always ready to help with new members. I would definitely recommend him." ~ PJ Stover of PJ Stover Voices; Independent Film & Recording voice-over artist
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What James spouse says about working on songwriting with him:

"James is my husband for over 10 years now. Over the years, I have seen James give guidance and counsel to many hopeful musicians of all ages, and inspire others about how music influences and benefits our lives. I would highly recommend James to anyone who wants to learn guitar, voice, music theory, and acting. James is a great talent, and study with him would benefit anyone with the sincere desire to grow as an artist. When we married, I had fallen in love with James’ conversational style, and his vast knowledge of music. When I heard him play guitar, I knew that I wanted to write songs with him, and we released our first album, in 2012 on iTunes."

Regards,
Keri W.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Ovation Glen Campbell Artist Acoustic Electric Guitar, Ovation Pacemaker 12 string Guitar, Ibanez PF 5 Acoustic Electric Guitar, Fender Telecaster 6 string Electric Guitar. Korg Mini Pandora III Amplifier/Studio EFX, Toshiba Laptop Satelite Pro with PreSonus Studio One Artist Software, PreSonusUSB Audiobox, HD7 Studio Monitor Headphones, M7 Condenser Mic, PreSonus Studio Producer software with SoundCloud integration, iBook G4 with Garageband 3 and iLife Studio. Godin Summit CT Electric Guitar is the guitar I now endorse exclusively !

*** Travel Equipment ***
Lesson Plans, Godin Summit CT Guitar, Fender and Ovation Guitars, Tuner, Android Smartphone and apps, iPads, Korg Mini Pandora Amp, Toshiba Satelite Pro Laptop. Android LG Smartphone with Tuners, Voice Recorder, and Metronome and Chord Reference Guide, and Guitar Tuner, iPod Touch Pro Studio.

*** Specialties ***
Songs in the following styles: Pop, Rock and Modern Country Music. Also Composition Analysis while learning the song.

cademic competitions, and was awarded the Triangle Theatre Award for Best Actor in a Musical and the North Carolina State University’s Theatre Endowment Award for Best Male Lead.

Dan is an alum of Broadway Theatre Project and the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. He has directed, music directed, choreographed and starred in several theatrical productions and benefit concerts across the country for a variety of national nonprofits. He dreams of owning his own nonprofit healing and performing arts center in San Francisco.

Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Lived in: New York, NY
Current City: San Francisco, CA

Quote: “Everything starts with the decision and passion to succeed. Let’s unleash your potential and share your gift with the world!”

Top 10 artists: Luciano Pavarotti, Eva Cassidy, Samuel Barber, Jennifer Hudson, Frederic Chopin, Whitney Houston, Jason Robert Brown, Heather Headley, Stephen Schwartz, Stephen Sondheim.

Grammys.........

I play and teach all styles; Classical, rock, Broadway, jazz,pop, etc.....

I have performed at the world class, A-list level in all the above mentioned styles as well.

I believe it is critical to be humble, down to earth and easy to work with, no matter how accomplished, student, teacher, or parent. :)..................

another and so much more. It helps that each game played builds upon the next to reinforce the learning.

What you get:
One-on-One - 45 min - 1 hour of discussion / rehearsal with Christine - working on improv performance skills or personal communication skills. At the end of the session, you will be armed with new tools.

Improv Troupe Notes - 1 hour - for improv troupes needing an outside eye for notes, direction and ideas for marketing your troupe. At the end of the session, you will have new games and ideas to move your troupe forward.

Custom Course - 45min - 1 hour or weekly - Tell me what you would like to improve. Character choices? Initiations? Storyline? You tell me.

Improv empowers people. Let's empower each other.

on Group, Inc. in Chesapeake, Virginia. If you are not familiar with Michael Copon Studios, the CEO Michael Copon is best known for his portrayal of the blue power ranger in the early 2000's.

I have extensive amount of training in film acting. Film acting is my sweet spot, however, aside from it I am trained in improv, stand up, theatre, teleprompter work, hosting, commercials, print modeling, sketch comedy, stage combat, etc.

My teaching style is simple, I will treat each student as an individual. No one person is the same, so therefore, I will hone in on what your goals and expectations are. I will help you achieve those goals and we will find an acting method that best suits you. There are so many different ways to approach auditioning, for example. The most important thing, I feel, is to find what works best for you, expound on that and always work towards bringing your authentic self to the table. That is what will ultimately enrichen your acting career the most and your personal life as well. Acting is one of those tools that you can incorporate into just about anything. I love it and I love what I do so, thank you for checking out my page and I hope to hear from you!

-Bernadette

er that beautiful stage means to you...and I am here to teach, guide, inspire and be your biggest fan when you get one step closer to your dreams.

Cheers and here's to your success!