John West Speech Coaching Associate

John West has cultivated a reputation as one of New York City's most versatile speech coaches. He specializes in accent reduction, enhancement of the speaking voice, executive preparation for public speaking, and dialect coaching.

John's diverse list of clients includes CEOs, business executives, hedge fund managers, Miss America contestants, Broadway actors, singers, authors, coaches, judges, lawyers, and more.

John initially explored his love for voice by spending four years in Nashville studying with Brett Manning, founder of “Singing Success." He attended the Tennessee Governor's School for the Arts with a focus on speech in Shakespeare. He graduated summa cum laude from Northern Kentucky University, where he earned a BFA in performance. During this time, John studied speech extensively with Sandra Forman, renowned author of Your Voice and Articulation and Public Speaking: Today and Tomorrow. He also honed his skills in IPA and dialects under the guidance of top Cincinnati dialect coach Michael King. After immersing himself in speech and theatre for a term in London, he moved to New York, where he has studied voice extensively with Justin Stoney and Aaron Hagan.

John has been a dialect coach for several shows, including The Secret Garden, Over the River & Through the Woods, Brigadoon, and The Imaginary Invalid. He serves on the faculty of New York’s prestigious Open Jar Institute, and has been a featured speaker at The International Thespian Society Festival. He has narrated over 20 productions and frequently emcees across the country. John especially enjoys holding workshops and master classes throughout the year for corporate events on speech enhancement. He also conducts workshops at high schools and colleges across the United States and Canada on voice for the actor and audition technique. Additionally, John is a member of and has spoken at meetings of American MENSA.

In addition to teaching, John continues to work as an actor and singer, and is currently appearing in Theatre Row's production of NEWSical, ("Fast, funny, and irreverent! NEWSical makes it possible to get high on hilarity!" -NY Times) and has appeared in leading roles on Broadway national tours (The Drowsy Chaperone, The Producers), as well as numerous regional productions, commercials, and voiceovers for radio and television.

Website: www.NewYorkSpeechCoaching.com

David McCall Voice Teacher Associate

David McCall is a New York based actor, singer, director, and music director who began his studies conducting imaginary orchestras in his family’s kitchen. In pursuit of formal music study, David traveled from his native West Tennessee to Kentucky’s Murray State University. As a Vocal and Academic Scholarship recipient, he trained with Carnegie Hall soloists Dr. Sonya Gabrielle Baker and Dr. Elizabeth Johnson Knight, Baroque and Twentieth Century music specialist Dr. Randall Black, and the Southern Division President of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), Dr. Bradley Almquist to earn his BA in Vocal Performance. As a soloist, David has been heard in performing arts centers, churches and theatres across the country, as well as in many of the beautiful cathedrals of England and Ireland.

In 2007, David was hired as a resident actor at the renowned Barter Theatre in Abingdon, VA. During three years of repertory theatre, David performed in more than 30 professional productions, ranging from leading roles in The Who’s TOMMY and Little Shop of Horrors to acclaimed comic turns in The Foreigner and Bat Boy. A member of Actors Equity Association, David also originated roles in more than twenty new plays, readings, and staged readings by up and coming new playwrights through the annual Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights. Through Barter’s touring branch, The Barter Players, David traveled the east coast from Maine to Florida leading workshops for all ages in voice, acting, improvisation, and movement.

David has been the music director for numerous world premiere musicals and national tours seen by audiences across the Southeast. David’s most recent projects include Catherine Gray’s new work ABE, a biographical play with music depicting Abraham Lincoln’s youth, presidency, and death, for which David lent his skills as composer and choreographer, and All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth by Catherine Bush for which David composed and arranged a ‘GLEE-esque’ finale that received standing ovations at every performance. David’s current project is an original one-man play inspired by Oscar Wilde’s American lecture tour.

David is happiest when he is combining his music skills, love of teaching, and encouraging spirit as a private voice teacher and vocal coach. Like his colleagues at New York Vocal Coaching, David is wholeheartedly committed to helping his students unlock, discover, and free their individual voices in a safe and encouraging environment.

Julie Brooks Voice Teacher Associate

Julie Brooks is a New York based singer/actor, and voice teacher. She has been passionately studying voice since she was in her early teens, and has been lucky to study with many of New York’s top voice teachers. She is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, where she studied Musical Theater. She has also completed all three levels of the Music Theater Vocal Pedagogy Program at Shenandoah University. She has been playing piano since the age of 4, and spent her high school years as the pianist for her school’s jazz band.

As a performer, Julie is a member of Actors Equity. Some highlights of her theater career have been traveling around the country twice in the national tour of Fiddler on the Roof as Bielke/Grandma Tzeitel, where she worked beside theater luminary, Topol. She also originated the leading role of Chloe in Frank Wildhorn’s Broadway musical Wonderland.

Julie is excited to join the team at New York Vocal Coaching. She loves working with students of all ages and levels, and helping them to truly unlock their vocal potential.

Alex LeFevre Piano Associate

Alex LeFevre is a highly sought after New York City based Pianist/Teacher. Alex has performed on Broadway (Irving Berlin’s White Christmas), Off-Broadway (NEWSical, York Theatre Company, 51st Annual Drama Desk Awards), toured 48 of the 50 states on two national tours (Hairspray, Irving Berlin’s I Love A Piano), and worked regionally at Paper Mill Playhouse, Maine State Music Theatre, and Northern Stage among many others. He has been on the staff of the New School University: School of Drama, NYU: Tisch School of the Arts (CAP 21, The Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute), Pace University, and the John Harms Performing Arts School. Additionally, he has been the staff pianist for the Rudolf Steiner Lower School on the Upper East Side since 2002. Along with performing and teaching, Alex is also an avid composer. His song "Doors" was featured in the York Theatre Company's NEO 6 Concert celebrating New, Emerging, and Outstanding musical theatre writing. His work has also been performed across the NYC and Metro Boston areas with highlights including a sold-out evening at Ars Nova entitled Q&A: Songs of Alex LeFevre as well as opening for Shoshana Bean at the After Party at the Laurie Beechman Theatre. Alex received his artistic training from the Eastman School of Music and New York University.

Website: www.NewYorkPianoTeacher.com

Eli Zoller Guitar Associate

New York Guitar Teachers has become one of the fastest growing guitar studios in Manhattan. With Eli’s commitment to personal attention for all students, New York Guitar Teachers promise enjoyable experiences and positive growth to both beginners and professionals alike.  Director Eli Zoller strongly believes in his shared philosophy with all of his fellow NYVC associates that the best learning environment is one full of positive encouragement and completely free of judgment. Most importantly, music (especially guitar!) should be FUN!

When Eli was approached by Justin Stoney on behalf of New York Vocal Coaching to assume the role of Director of New York Guitar Teachers, he happily jumped head-first into the exciting opportunity. Being given the chance to utilize his skills to teach guitar professionally has been an aspiration of Eli’s since he arrived in New York City. 

Eli received his BFA from The University of Michigan School of Music. In his university years, Eli began teaching friends out of his dorm room how to play their favorite songs. Upon moving to New York City, Eli began a successful career teaching freelance guitar lessons, primarily to children. Eli offers lessons of all kinds and at all experience levels- from beginners to seasoned professionals. Eli’s extensive knowledge and versatility enable him to create individual lesson plans for any and all who seeks to improve their skills on the guitar. 

Eli began studying music at age 4, studying piano at what would soon become a youth-award winning level. Eli came to understand music theory at a very young age and quickly assumed a place in his public school band. By age 12, Eli was skillful at playing four instruments. However, people who know him best say that his fifth instrument of choice (chronologically, that is) was the most fitting. At age 13, Eli picked up his first guitar…and never put it down! In his self-taught beginnings, he spent his free time with his favorite classic rock records learning every song chord by chord and every solo note by note. Eli quickly moved to classical/jazz training with extensive music theory. By the time he reached college, Eli was already playing in pit orchestras in place of professional musicians.

In only his first four years out of college, Eli has accomplished a successful career playing professional gigs, recording, and touring in multiple styles and genres playing guitar, bass (up-right and electric) and drums. He has music directed and orchestrated shows in New York and regionally. A few of these include GREENEYES, a new musical which appeared at the 2008 New York Fringe Festival, and Peter Mills’ 2009 Off-Broadway bluegrass musical GOLDEN BOY OF THE BLUE RIDGE, in which his music direction behind his guitar received acclaim from multiple publications, including the New York Times. He also served as a record producer with the GOLDEN BOY OF THE BLUE RIDGE Original Cast Album, now available on iTunes and Amazon.com.

Eli’s commitment to offering some of the most affordable rates in the city as well as top quality guitar education will provide! New York Guitar Teachers is located conveniently on the Upper West Side at 87th Street. It’s an easy trip on the B, C, or 1 Trains and is nearby to Central Park and Riverside Park.

Website: www.NewYorkGuitarTeachers.com

Chelsea Cipolla Monologue Associate

Chelsea is a New York based monologue coach, actress and career consultant. Chelsea is a graduate from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts where she received a BA in Acting and Theatre Education. After graduating, Chelsea returned to Emerson College to help teach their Summer Arts Academy for three years before moving to New York City.

Chelsea has had the privilege of coaching students who are just beginning their careers to the most seasoned professionals. While some students need help selecting and preparing monologues, others simply want to build their repertoire of audition material. Between booking national tours, getting roles in regional theatre, landing their first commercial, getting their Equity card or obtaining representation from top agencies – Chelsea has helped many students to achieve their goals and dreams. Chelsea is also a professional actress who has worked with The Hartford Stage, Theatre for a New Audience, Artspower National Touring Theatre and many more. Chelsea can be seen in numerous commercials and print work. Currently, Chelsea is beginning an open-ended run of a world premiere at the Bleeker Street Theatre. She is a member of both AEA and SAG.

Chelsea is also the monologue coach and founder of www.MyCollegeAudition.com; a resource for high school students looking to attend a top Musical Theatre or Theatre program in a College or University setting. My College Audition students have been accepted many of the top programs including: New York University, Syracuse University, Emerson College, Ithaca College, Boston University, Fordham University, University of Michigan and many more.

Chelsea’s services include monologue selection, monologue preparation, repertoire building, audition accompanying, career and industry counsel, self-marketing lessons and audition technique. Chelsea’s students have ranged from children as young as seven to adults. New York Monologue Coaching is conveniently located on the Upper West Side at 87th Street by the B, C, or 1 Train and is nearby to Central Park and Riverside Park. Chelsea maintains one-hour sessions while upholding some of the lowest rates in the city.

Website: www.NewYorkMonologueCoach.com

Lauren Zapko Speech Coaching Associate - West Palm Beach

Lauren Zapko is regarded as one of Florida's premiere public speaking coaches and vocal professionals. After completing her training at New York Speech Coaching, she taught with the company in New York City before being selected to head the organization's branch in South Florida. She specializes in training corporate clients who seek to liven up their presentations and become more comfortable with public speaking.

By blending her background in theatre with her considerable corporate exposure, she has developed a style that enables clients to achieve dramatic and practical results. Additionally, Lauren works with people from all walks of life who wish to enhance the quality of their speaking voice and those who seek accent reduction. Lauren frequently serves as a consultant for companies seeking to enhance their employees' comfort with speech and presentation skills - most recently AT&T hired her for their corporate training program.

For the past several years, Lauren has worked as a professional spokesmodel for Fortune 100 companies internationally, and has appeared in numerous web videos, commercials, and industrials.  She initially began her speech studies at Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts, before continuing her education at Elon University, where she graduated with a BFA in music theatre. After that, she balanced teaching and spokesmodeling, and worked across the country before landing in New York City, where she studied with Justin Stoney - founder of New York Speech Coaching, and completed teacher training with John West, the company's lead instructor.

In addition to teaching, Lauren continues to work as a musical theatre actress, appearing at such esteemed theatres as The Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Maltz Jupiter Theatre, North Carolina Theatre. Lauren has also served as a teaching assistant at the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes Intensive.  Lauren merges the arts and business together to help people communicate more confidently and competently.

Dylan Patrick Photography and Headshot Associate

Originally from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Dylan came to NYC in 2004 to study acting for film. Dylan received his front of camera training at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, graduating in 2006. He has been able to use this training and his further on camera experience to develop his photographic style.

Headshots are the storefront of the Actor’s business. His headshot sessions are tailored to each client and his or her specific needs. The most important thing to Dylan is providing a comfortable environment. Dylan achieves this by being an excellent coach, and not setting limits on a photoshoot. There are no time limits, and no exposure limits. He shoots until Dylan and the client feel satisfied they have both gotten what they need. He creates a relaxed atmosphere, that’s fun and laid back, so that he can get the best, most unforced and natural shot of YOU possible.

In addition to Headshots, Dylan sells his Scenic work, does Lifestyle Portraits, Live Music, Special Events, PR work, Establishment Photography, and the occasional Wedding. He routinely shoots specialty cocktails for the Empire Hotel, which have been published in AM New York, the Examiner, and various other media outlets.

Website: www.dpheadshots.com

Chelsea Conard Health and Nutrition Associate

Chelsea Jo Pattison Conard is a Holistic Health Counselor accredited by the American Association for Drugless Practitioners and is the founder of Artful Balance. She is also a musical theatre actress and knows the importance of finding balance and staying healthy, especially when the body is used as the instrument. Chelsea works with creative people to help them find their own balance in their health and lifestyle through a personalized health program, and guides them naturally without restriction to easily achieve all of their life and health goals. For more information or to set up a free health consultation, please visit www.ArtfulBalanceHolistic.com.

Website: www.ArtfulBalanceHolistic.com

Micki Weiner Dance, Pilates, and Fitness Associate

Micki Weiner is very passionate about making fitness fun and accessible for New Yorkers!

She is also a New York City based performer, choreographer and dance/Pilates instructor. Recent performance credits include: How To Succeed In Business (Goodspeed Opera House), Ana Gasteyer TV Project, The Chase Brock Experience (Company Member), ‘Nutcracker In The Lower’ (Urban Ballet Theare), ‘Purgatorio’ (CBS Radio/The Box Presents). Micki has also worked with New York Theatre Ballet, ASEID, The Georgia Ballet and the Richmond Ballet. She has performed at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and the Career Transitions For Dancers Gala. In film, Micki appears in the independent short Interpersonal Exopolitics and My Life As Abraham Lincoln. She has choreographed for film, theatre, professional dance companies, universities and dance schools. Micki just finished work as an animation reference for the top selling video game DANCE ON BROADWAY for the Nintendo Wii.

Micki is certified through Power Pilates and teaches private lessons as well as for CRUNCH and American Leisure (NYC Condos). She has recently launched the exciting new fusion fitness class ‘In The Mix.’ Micki works with clients of all ages and abilities and has an extensive knowledge of the body.

Website: www.mickiweiner.com

Mark Josefsberg Alexander Technique Associate

Mark Josefsberg is a New York based Alexander Technique teacher and musician. He received his Alexander Technique teacher certification from the American Center for the Alexander Technique in NYC. Some of Mark’s more well-known students include Emmy Award Winning actress Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer), and Oscar Winning Director Sam Mendes (American Beauty).

Mark’s particular interest is teaching singers the Alexander Technique, helping them learn how to utilize their entire body in an easeful, efficient way. The singer’s instrument is his/her body, so tension in one part of the body (the shoulders, for instance) translates to tension in other parts (the vocal mechanism, for instance). Tension release helps singers produce sound more efficiently and effortlessly. The Alexander Technique concerns itself with full natural breathing, leading to a bigger sound with less pushing, and more ease both on and off-stage. Vocalists become calmer for auditions, rehearsals, performances and everyday life. Mark specializes in making complex Alexander Technique principles simple, understandable, practical and applicable. You’ll have fun in the process!

Mark has been a musician his entire adult life. He is now the Alexander Technique teacher at The Collective, the premier school for drums and rhythm section in NYC. Mark Josefsberg is the on staff Alexander Technique teacher at A.R.E. Holistic Health and Wellness Center in New York City. He is associated with Dr. Ehrlich, Medical Director of Beth Israel Hospital’s Continuum for Health and Healing. Mark works closely with Neurologist Dr. Anthony P. Geraci at NeurOasis, teaching the Alexander Technique to people with headaches, neckaches, and other stress related conditions. Look for Mark Josefsberg’s Alexander Technique article in New York Magazine, Altmd.com, Wellsphere.com and Alexandertechnique.com

Website: www.MarkJosefsberg.com

Annie Lin Life Coaching Associate

A positive alternative to therapy or counseling, life coach Annie Lin's specialty is helping people create a life they love. She helps clients see where they might be stuck and hold them accountable to move forward, to achieve the success they've always wanted, but have yet to achieve. Her areas of coaching expertise include life coaching, career coaching, and relationship coaching for singles and couples. She has helped clients from US, Asia, and Europe to successfully transform their lives to be happier, more authentic, and more passionate, while at the same time creating a wonderful relationship and a fulfilling career.

Annie is an accomplished career woman. In her former career, Annie worked as a journalist for entertainment industry and has interviewed face to face with Madonna, Celine Dion, Jon Bon Jovi, Eagles among others. She also worked as a marketing manager for an international publishing house and an upscale gallery in NYC. She holds a MBA degree from Oxford Brookes University, UK.

Her expertise in personal coaching was developed through an extensive study of coaching technologies and philosophies, including thought inquiries, emotional releasing techniques, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, hypnosis, Law of Attraction, Taoism, and various profile assessments. Her broad life and professional experience enables her to be cognizant of various challenges her clients are facing and be able to address them effectively. Annie has some of the most reasonable rates in New York City among leading Life Coaches. Coaching sessions can be conducted in person, via internet or phone from anywhere in the world.

Website: www.newyorklifecoaching.com