Kent, WA Improv Acting Lessons

al Music Teachers (CAPMT), and Music Teachers National Association (MTNA).

*** Lesson Details ***
Good technique, styling, and musicianship are VERY important but you have got to have FUN learning and performing! I channel and encourage each student'€™s creativity while helping them to learn to use their gifts as expertly as possible. My students can be seen on Broadway, Off-Broadway, on television, in commercials, in the movies, and in professional regional theatre throughout the United States. I have proudly seen many of my students go on to pursue higher education and careers in music, theatre, and dance.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Studio/Office: desk, piano, mirrors, sound system, chairs, extensive collection of sheet music and arts related books.

Parents can sit in on lessons.

*** Specialties ***

Voice: Speech Level Singing, Broadway music, Popular music, Classical, Speaking
Piano: Classical, Improv, Harmonization, Songwritting
Acting: Theatrical acting, Acting for the camera, Voice over, Comedy, Improvisation
Other: Conducting, Ear Training, Performance Coaching, Audition Coaching, Music Theory

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.

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.
----------------------------

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
-----------------------------------
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.

r, work on the clarity of your choices and active objectives, and access your personal connection to the material so you'll be ready and confident with a one-of-a-kind performance that reflects the strengths you bring to acting and the story you want to tell.

SHAKESPEARE: Perhaps the most daunting of styles for a contemporary actor, we'll get down to the nuts and bolts of some of the most challenging (and rewarding) material. The famous soliloquies are famous for a reason and can certainly be intimidating, and more obscure material can seem thick and inaccessible. We'll chip away at the mystique of Shakespeare by digging in to the text and verse, activating the language with specificity, and cultivating your personal take on well-known characters or lesser known material they might not have seen before.

DIALECTS AND ACCENTS: From English to Irish to Southern American and beyond, a well executed dialect can be the edge you need to land (and play) that meaty role. I use a multipronged approach that involves ear training to develop an authentic sound, text analysis for clarity of sound substitutions (IPA Proficient), and exercises that pare away stilted and unnatural speech to cultivate an authentic sounding voice that will be your own.

VOICEOVER: I've been booking voiceover gigs on TV, radio, and the internet for over 10 years with clients like Microsoft, Liberty Mutual, UW Medicine, Tableau, Reno Toyota, and Golden One State Credit Union. I can offer tips and tricks of the trade, as well as techniques that can take your VO submissions to the next level and help you book these lucrative contracts.

Let's get started!

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

i Award (Canadian Emmy) for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, and has received multiple nominations for Outstanding Actor at the Monte Carlo Television Festival.

Ernie has adapted his skills and experience to become one of the most sought after personal acting coaches in the Los Angeles area. He has been the head acting instructor for teens and adults at The Film Set Studio in Claremont, California, and has instructed actors from around the world in acting camps at The University of La Verne and Claremont McKenna College. He addresses each actor's needs individually, gently encouraging them to embrace their artistry.