Speaking Voice with Amy C.

I have been a voice, acting, and teacher of creative arts for over 25 years. My background includes ten years of classical voice training with Maestro Julio Berrocal, as well as vocal training through the Feldenkrais approach with Marcy Lindhiemer. In acting, I have studied with renowned Stanislavsky scholar Sonia Moore and Master acting teacher of the Strasberg Method, Marcia Haufrecht. I received a B.A. For comparative literature and creative writing at the State University of New York at Purchase and have recently completed my Master's degree in social work at Walden University. I believe, within all of us, Is the ability to express something distinctive and original. I work to help students discover their unique voice, whether it be through singing, acting, or writing. I share with my students an array of tools to gain the ability and confidence 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 areas for most of my adult life. I believe it is the teacher's job to respect each student's 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 student's individual process of learning. My singing lessons usually start with breathing and relaxation exercises. Vocal technique exercises come next. When the student is fully warmed up, we begin to work on songs. It is important that students be a part of the process of picking material since the more personally they respond to the material the more apt they are to become engaged in the material. After three to six months beginning students will have gained an understanding of the fundamentals of breathing, relaxation, and basic performance skills. With more advanced students the focus will be on range extension and the on-going development of vocal style through song interpretation and performance related exercises. 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 most 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, cabaret, and blues without hurting the voice as well as method acting instruction.