Question 1

What is your background?

Accepted Answer

I’m a Los Angeles based voice, accent, and communication coach certified in Fitzmaurice Voicework®, Knight-Thompson Speechwork®, and Organic Intelligence®. I also have an extensive acting background, with an MFA in acting from Florida Atlantic University. I’ve combined my experience as an actor and coach to develop a holistic approach to voice, dialects, and communication, with a particular focus on the intersection of voice and performance techniques with an understanding of how the nervous system affects voice and presence.

Question 2

What makes your approach unique?

Accepted Answer

My approach isn’t going to just focus on how you sound, but on helping you feel an authentic connection to what you’re saying. I’m a specialist with training in traditional techniques of voice and speech, along with tools for nervous system regulation. Thus my approach combines classical training tools and more contemporary techniques that integrate your whole system – sometimes coaching involves very explicit, traditional voice, speech, and communication tools and exercises, and sometimes, it’s more implicit work focused on integrating your nervous system while speaking. This combination of traditional voice and speech work (Fitzmaurice Voicework and Knight-Thompson Speechwork) with implicit nervous system support (Organic Intelligence) leads to long-term growth and greater resiliency in your voice and communication skills.

Question 3

I’ve never heard of Fitzmaurice Voicework (FV), Organic Intelligence (OI™), or Knight-Thompson Speechwork (KTS). How will they help me with my goals?

Accepted Answer

You can read more about each of these methodologies and how I incorporate them into my coaching here.

Question 4

What does it mean to be a certified coach?

Accepted Answer

I’m a certified coach of Fitzmaurice Voicework, Knight-Thompson Speechwork, and Organic Intelligence. I’ve only certified in techniques from which I’ve personally benefited — I practiced each of these modalities for years before pursuing certification — and I pursued the certifications because I felt the additional training would benefit my coaching skills.

Teacher certifications vary in their lengths of training and requirements for maintaining certification. I’ve listed more about the requirements of each of my certifications below.

Fitzmaurice Voicework: Certified as an Associate Teacher in 2014. Eight weeks of intensive training over two years, plus active mentorship and observed teaching throughout. I also studied Fitzmaurice Voicework for two years as part of my graduate training. I’m recertified every five years.

Knight-Thompson Speechwork: Certified in 2019. Three weeks of intensive training, with pre-requisite training and monthly mentorship required in the year(s) before.

Organic Intelligence: Certified as an OI Coach in 2022, and I’m currently in training in the Advanced HEART [Human Empowerment and Resiliency Training] Coaching Certification. The first level of certification was a rigorous year-long process (over 200 hours) with weekly lectures, seminars, mentorship, and observed coaching. Since 2022, I’ve completed an additional 300+ hours of training, mentorship, and observed teaching. If you're interested, you can learn about the specifics of each phase of my OI certifications: OI Coaching Certification; Biology to Cosmos; Phase 2;  Multiple Trauma Vortex.

Question 5

Do you have any group voice classes?

Accepted Answer

Yes, several!

The Integrated Voice Practice is a year round voice program.
Intro to Voice and Presence is a 10-week course.
The Foundations of Voicework is a self-paced voice class that you can purchase and begin working through immediately.
I also offer group workshops—check my website or join my mailing list to  get alerts for new classes and workshops.

Question 6

What type of coaching do you do?

Accepted Answer

I help actors develop voice technique, accent skills and acquisition, speech clarity, embodied acting, and on-camera and stage presence.

I help corporate speakers develop greater communication skills by working with the Four C's of communication: clarity, conciseness, confidence, and compelling delivery in everything from TED Talks and other high-stakes gigs to work presentations to interviews, and more. I also help clients in the development of their scripts, from joining them in the process to writing the script for them.

I help people gain skills and resilience around performance anxiety, social anxiety, freeze and overwhelm with auditioning or interviewing, and other challenges related to their neurophysiology. I also help artists and entrepreneurs develop greater creative flow, enhanced energy, and find greater ease and enjoyment in their work.

To learn more, I recommend you read about My Approach.

Question 7

Who do you work with?

Accepted Answer

To date, my clients have included actors, singers, voiceover artists, executives and people in the corporate world, entrepreneurs, TV & Film writers, music execs, small business owners, podcasters, content creators, athletes, people prepping for job interviews, and more.

Question 8

Do you teach singing?

Accepted Answer

I work with singers, but I wouldn’t call myself a singing coach. If you’re looking for technical elements like vocal support or connecting to song in an embodied way, absolutely. If you’re looking for someone to accompany you or to broaden your skills in singing different styles, I’m not the coach for you.

Question 9

Where does private coaching take place?

Accepted Answer

Coaching takes place via Zoom or Google Meet, in-person in Los Angeles, or via a hybrid of in-person and online. Sometimes coaching is live, and we'll sometimes do asynchronous coaching, where you'll send me self-tapes or other recordings of your speaking for recorded feedback and coaching from me.

Question 10

For private coaching, how many sessions do I need?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your goals and challenges. Generally, though, I'll work with clients over the course of a Two-Week Sprint, a Six or 12-Week Protege Program, a VIP day, or via a Monthly retainer. We'll figure out together which program makes the most sense for your goals.

Question 11

What’s your rate?

Accepted Answer

My rates vary depending on the program. Each group class and workshop has its own set rate; check the relevant page of my website for more details on the cost for specific classes or workshops.
Private coaching programs each vary in their rate. Each program is individually developed based on goals, challenges, and any scheduled auditions, interviews, speaking engagements, etc. When we meet, I'll tell you more about the program options so you can find the version that best fits your needs and goals.

Question 12

Do you coach children?

Accepted Answer

I love children, but my coaching framework doesn't necessarily lend itself to working with kids. For that reason, I don’t typically work with children, though there are exceptions. If you think I’d be a good fit, then please contact me and let me know your child’s age and relationship to acting and I’ll get back to you about whether I’m a good fit.

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