Have you ever watched good dancers make even the most complicated techniques look effortless? Watching an experienced dancer perform a tap routine can be magical. And, this can also happen for you if you learn these 4 tap dance steps that are simple but essential elements of all tap choreography.  Get ready to train your own feet to create a unique mixture of motion and music! This beginner’s guide will give you easy-to-follow steps and a tap-dancing video for each move. What are the

Growing up in the north-east of Scotland, our home was often filled with the sound of music. My father was the local violin teacher, and students often came to the house for lessons. In fact, as early as the age of three, I too had picked up a violin and had begun “playing”. There was also a regular stream of music from our record player. My parents had a sizable collection of old 33 and 78 rpm vinyl records; no doubt a collector’s item these days. Among my favorites were recordings of the

Happy first day of spring! Now that the days are longer and the weather is warmer, it's the perfect time to start a new hobby. And don't worry -- there are tons of hobbies to choose from that don't require expensive equipment or pricey commitments. In fact, many of these cheap hobbies can actually save you money in the long-run. Check out our recommendations below, and see what sparks your interest! 1. Languages Did you know that learning a second language can increase your brain power, ex

Maybe you're trying to get ready for your first dance on your wedding day. Or maybe you're feeling inspired after watching Dancing with the Stars and seeing the celebrities learn to ballroom dance from scratch. Or perhaps you've always wanted to learn how to ballroom dance, but have never had the time, opportunity, or courage to learn. No matter what has drawn your interests to ballroom dancing, it can be a bit intimidating if you feel like you have two left feet! The tips outlined below will ge

Emotions are choices.  I know the title sounds odd. We have heard most of our lives that you can’t help how you feel. As Actors, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Our entire industry is built upon our ability to manipulate how we feel to fit a given situation. Huge names like Strasburg, Hagen, Adler, Yakim, Spolin, Meisner and countless others have gifted us with tools to make emotions happen. They all are based on the same concept. Actors make choices. Emotions are choices. Ev

Stumped on what to wear for your next audition? Dress for success with these tips from New York, NY voice teacher Chelsea F...   You've practiced, studied, taken countless lessons, and you are now ready to go on some auditions... but the night before your audition you peer into your closet and realize, to your horror, you don’t know what to wear! This is a topic that many students don’t ask their voice teachers about because, let’s face it, in a 45- to 60-minute lesson there

John Travolta, Hugh Jackman, and Catherine Zeta-Jones are just a few of the Hollywood celebrities known for being "triple threats"--skilled in singing, dancing, and acting. Here, Corona, CA teacher Milton J. shares his tips for reaching their superstar status...   So you've decided to take vocal lessons to learn how to sing better, but the buck doesn't just stop there for your own ambitions. You have your eyes set on the stage and the screen, and you won’t stop until you're there

In the world of entertainment there are two ways actors get jobs. They either know someone or attend an audition. Each of these avenues are highly sought after. The reality is that acting jobs are hard to find. I have always been told that is hyperbolically, there is one job per 500 actors. When you find that job, it can be very hard to get it because there is so much competition. All is not lost. There are ways to be a working actor that does not require winning an audition. It would be nice to

Have you been wondering about taking your show to a fringe festival, and then wondered, "why fringe theater?" First of all, anybody in the world of theater can probably agree with me when I say that there is no such thing as "too much” exposure!  This is especially true if you are a budding actor or writer. I am always telling my acting students that when they are just starting out, it’s wise to say “yes” to any opportunity that comes your way, as even the disappointing ones are

Hollywood actress, Rosalind Russell once said; “Acting is standing up naked and turning around very slowly.” Although meant as a joke, this is the best description of acting I have ever heard. At the core of acting, is truth and vulnerability. You cannot hope to be a successful actor without baring your heart and soul for the craft. But what exactly is the craft?  The History of Acting In order to truly understand acting, one must understand the history of the craft. And, what a history i