Princeton, NJ Improv Acting Lessons

the east coast, I found my life's work in 2003 when I began teaching music.

I've successfully taught hundreds of different students since 2003, from 5-year-olds with special needs to middle-aged professional opera singers, from a professor in Saudi Arabia to a 65-year-old doctor of music, from kids of Radio Disney to students of the famed Actors Studio in New York, from busy stay-at-home parents to retirees with bucket lists, from CEOs to touring singer-songwriters.

I've created and led a workshop about singing called, "The Whole Body Singer". I've written dozens of articles about music and music education for the blog at TakeLessons.com.

My extensive knowledge of the voice has encouraged and empowered hundreds of singers and prepared many of them to win competitions, pageants and auditions, as well as roles in operas and musicals.

Having both taught myself piano and received formal training at a conservatory has prepared me to teach almost anyone how to play.
The intensive training and education that I received at Westminster Choir College in songwriting, music theory and sight reading has benefited my students at every level.

My current work as singer and keyboardist in the acoustic rock duo, Timberwood, has strengthened my knowledge of a broad range of styles and genres. I have a strong commitment to continuing my education. That's why I recently (2014) studied songwriting online with the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

In the lessons that I teach, I'm flexible, positive and encouraging. While I want my students to have fun and love music, not dread it, I expect hard work and persistence. I am caring, patient, nurturing, and compassionate. In piano lessons, I usually allow the student to choose a piece with which to warm up and then move on to technique and repertoire. In voice lessons, I usually warm up the singer and discuss technique and sight singing before focusing on song choices. Joan Frey Boytim wrote a book for voice that I like to use, and I like the Estelle Liebling exercises for the more advanced singer. Hanon exercises are a big part of my piano curriculum, and I enjoy the Bastien and Alfred books for young and old. I have used completely random songs pulled out of a piano bench and a karaoke CD for kids. I will use almost anything I can get my hands on if it means effectively teaching music.
Acting lessons consist of exercises and games that apply learned concepts, and monologue and audition coaching. Parents, siblings and spouses are always welcome to observe lessons quietly.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide an acoustic guitar to bring to both voice and guitar lessons. I expect my piano students to have a piano, an organ or a keyboard.

***Home Studio Equipment***
In my home studio, my students will have access to an acoustic guitar, an electronic keyboard, an acoustic piano and PC audio recording.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in teaching classical, country, pop and musical theater singing, classical and pop/rock/chordal style piano, and sightreading, including solfege syllables. I enjoy using Estelle Liebling as my voice method and Hanon for piano technique. My education includes coursework in jazz and pop theory and songwriting from both Westminster Choir College and the Berklee College. Teaching special needs individuals is also one of my specialties, and one that I highly enjoy. I've been trained in Meisner technique, and have experience in both theater acting and musical theater.

ue-Afro-Haitian-Afro-Cuban and Modern
African drumming and percussion: Jembe and shekere with song and folklore.

fidence to achieve their goals. I empathize deeply with the challenges students may face when pursuing a life in the creative and performing arts, having worked professionally in those arena's for most of my adult life. I believe, it is the teachers job to respect each students individual process of learning.
My students have gone on to become recording artists, Broadway performers, movie actors, blues and cabaret artists and published writers.

*** Lesson Details ***
Voice
I am an empathetic teacher, sensitive to the students individual process of learning. My singing lessons usually start with breathing and relaxation exercises. Vocal exercise come next, then when the student is fully warmed up, we will begin to work on songs. It is important that the student be part of the process of picking material since the more they personally respond to the material the more apt they are to be engaged in their lessons and the more quickly they will learn. After three to six months they will understand the fundamentals of breathing and relaxation and its importance to proper vocal training. They will have begun the process of extending their range and will understand the principles of performance in song.
Acting
As an acting teacher and coach, I tailor my classes to the needs of each student. I utilize improvisatory and sensory techniques to help unleash spontaneity. I also encourage the students to use their personal experiences as a way to access a full range of emotions. I enjoy working with the student on script analysis, so as to discover the underlying motivations of the character the student is working on.
Creative and Lyric Writing
I use prompts as a way to get the student writing. Often, I will ask the student to write for stretches of time without editing themselves. It is important to unleash imagination before beginning the process of editing. Many times it is the unexpected that is the must compelling.

*** Studio Equipment ***
home- 10 minutes away from Manhattan with piano, seating for parents
-practice studio seating for parents

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide a piano, cd/mp3 player and an large library of songbooks to work from. The student should bring sheet music of songs they want to work on and a recording device.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in teaching how to sing rock, pop, musical theater, jazz, and blues without hurting the voice as well as method acting instruction.

has performed in professional dinner theater with Palame Enterprises. Some of the great shows he performed in were “Singing In The Rain”, “Yankee Doodle Dandy”, and an original production called “Ellis Island”, in which he had a starring role.

In 1999 Dominic competed in The World Championships of Performing Arts. This event featured over 1500 competitors from 30 countries competing in the disciplines of acting, comedy, dance, singing and modeling. After five days of competition, Dominic was named the first Grand Champion Performer of the World. Following the championship, Dominic was asked to perform at the Athletes and Entertainers for Kids Shaqtacular 4, with such celebrities as Shaquille O’Neal, Paula Abdul, Bruce Jenner, and Jeffery Osborne. Dominic Has also performed with Pat Cooper, Tom Jones, The Duprees, Rod Stewart, Smokey Robinson and Many More.

Another dream came true when Damon Lanza, son of Mario Lanza, and long time friend of the Lanza’s, Bob Dolfi, bestowed Dominic with the honor of singing at the Mario Lanza Society’s 38th Anniversary Pre-Ball Dinner in Philadelphia. Since that event, Dominic has had the honor of performing annually in the church where Mario Lanza first sang at the age of 16. At the 40th annual ball, he co-hosted the pre-ball dinner with Katherine Grayson, co-star of Mario Lanza. Dominic has continued to expand his repertoire performing at the Claridge Casino in Atlantic City and as a guest artist at the Atlantic City Film Festival.Dominic is also in his fourth Year as a headliner at the nations largest Italian festival in Milwaukee WI. other festivals have been in Tampa and Chicago plus many more.

With D.A. Productions L.L.C., Dominic has also released four albums “Second Star To The Right...”, featuring the songs of Mario Lanza,Opera to Broadway, the Arias, and One Voice.Working with Dominic on these albums have been Grammy award winners such as Tony Camillo, Jimmy Wisner, Ron Alexumburg, and most recently Steve Dorff. Dominic has been recognized in Who’s Who In Music, awarded the National Choral Award and the Governor’s Award for Opera in New Jersey.

He has studied with notable teachers such as Jerome Hines, Steve Mosel, Yass Haskashima, Dr. David Blackburn, and Marcello Garafalo. For the past few years, Dominic has been singing across the United States with the international sensation “The Three Waiters”, He has been featured at special events in Little Italy NYC including the San Gennaro Festival and has been named and continues to be “Little Italy’s American Tenor”. The most important accomplishment Dominic will always strive for is to make people happy with the gift he has been blessed with.

*** Lesson Details ***
Lessons will consist of focusing on the ligament in the voice on letting it stand alone so the voice will last well past normal years. The sessions are fun because if its not than its not worth doing. What you can expect to achieve is on two different levels. For just a hobby the health of the voice is first than simplistic views to maintain without damage. Some one who is serious is to advance in strength health and vitality, while putting together a show that can be produce through the many avenues I have. For people more in a career mode shows in NYC, records, and competitions are all available. We also focus on the music you love and learn it through communication between you and me. Begin or advance today and lets start singing!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Separate studio/office piano, sound equipment, microphones, seating for parents

*** Travel Equipment ***
To provide a source to play the music whether by instrument or mechanical.

*** Specialties ***
I train in the vocal technique of vocal therapy in keeping the vocal and speaking voice healthy while maintaining a beautiful quality.

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.

hiladelphia Artists' Collective and Simpatico Theatre Project. I am also a member of the improv group, Tongue & Groove.

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

cter development.

Acting is a passion of mine and I would love to help you break out of their shell and develop a passion for the art form in the same way that my teachers and mentors did for me.

I look forward to meeting you!
-Kirstie