No one becomes a great actor without studying for their masters. While different acting techniques work for different people, there are some commonalities that can be found in the best of the best.  By watching and studying 8 classic films, you can improve your own five most important classical acting techniques.  Whether you're just starting out or you've been performing for years, these movies will help you to develop and hone your craft. So put on your thinking cap and get ready to

Writing a song is a huge accomplishment. It takes a lot of patience, perseverance, hard-work, knowledge, and sometimes sheer luck. There are many expenses that go into writing and releasing a song as well. Will you hire musicians as session artists? Are you recording at home or in an established studio? Will you mix and master your song or are you hiring someone else to do it? Either way, each one costs time, money, or both. In this article, we will explore different the question, "how do songwr

Music existed for thousands of years, long before notation came into being. The creation of music speaks to an innate human need, for it has existed for almost as long as humans have been in existence: there are prehistoric cave paintings illustrating instruments, as well as discoveries of actual prehistoric instruments such as a bone flute from the Stone Age. Music was also an important aspect of ancient civilizations, like the Egyptian and classical Greek civilizations, and was used for

Watching people dance can be both inspiring and intimidating. Their graceful movements and the fluid transitions between steps can make you want to dance while making you feel extremely self-conscious. Something you should know is that there are very, very few people who look this good when they first learn how to dance! Taking dance classes and private lessons are the perfect way to learn dance basics without the public exposure. Regardless of the type of dance you are interested in, the

Children are natural born performers! In fact, they do instinctually what acting teachers try desperately to pull out of their adult students — they live truthfully in imaginary circumstances ALL THE TIME!  Kids have such wonderful and vivid imaginations, that it makes them the perfect candidates for acting class. And we are now realizing just have valuable theater education can be for children. Research from UCLA’s Graduate School of Education by Dr. James Catterall shows that students

Have you ever wondered what it's like to travel the world touring with a symphony orchestra? Jet-setting from New York to LA, hopping from London to Paris and then on to Rome and Madrid. Maybe a few days in Tokyo before flying to Shanghai and finishing in Sydney. Ah yes, it’s a glamorous life…...or is it?   What is it Actually Like to Tour With a Symphony Orchestra? I was very fortunate to have spent 23 years as a member of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London. During those yea

Ready to try your hand at writing a screenplay? Check out these helpful tips from New York, NY tutor Lauren P...   Whether you have too many ideas or you don’t know where to begin, these storytelling tips will help you outline the framework for an unforgettable screenplay. Don’t Remake the Wheel While all stories include some level of conflict, the arguably best stories all seem to include components of what Joseph Campbell calls the Hero’s Journey. If you are not familiar wit

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

If you're interested in learning to dance, don't let other beginners dictate your pace and progress. Instead of joining a class, schedule a private lesson with a professional dance instructor. You might not find your perfect match instantly, but you'll be in a unique position to consider the instructor's background, personality, and teaching style before signing up. But what should you be looking for, exactly? Previous Stage Experience After professional dancers retire, they often stick arou

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