Kahlil  Joseph               

Neutral American Accent lessons

Typically Best for : speakers extremely fluent in English; foreign actors, singers, etc. who already have a good command of colloquial English grammar, yet have an accent from outside the United States; people with jobs other than performing in shows.

The speaker learns to create a non-regional sounding American accent. In other words, when you speak, a listener immediately assumes you are from the United States, without being able to place what geographical state within the country you are from.

These lessons are for American speakers (raised in the U.S.) with regional dialects who feel restricted in some form (ex. - interviews, auditions, work place) by their dialects, as well as non-native speakers of American English (born outside the U.S.) who have a natural ear and ability to mimic and apply the vowel and consonant sounds (along with the rhythm, tempo and musicality) in American English to their speech, so that they sound like they were born somewhere in the United States.

Foreign Accent Reduction lessons

Typically Best for : speakers whose first language is not English; speakers who, as a priority, need to sound clear rather than 'fully American'.

The speaker learns to identify specific pronunciation and diction habits in his/her foreign accented English that cause American listeners difficulty in understanding him/her easily, following which the speaker learns to substitute (reduce, eliminate) clear American sounds (as best as possible) in place of his/her extreme problem areas.

The goal here is simply to be understood easily by the average American ear, rather than trying to sound 'fully American'. Even with an accent originating from outside the United States, a clear speaker can be understood without a problem, with the help of the teacher addressing an appropriate combination of problem areas.

Accents and/or Dialects of English for Film/TV/Stage/Actors lessons 

Typically Best for : actors who need to play characters with specific ways of speaking (from different states, countries, etc.); speakers who have an intermediate to advanced command of English

The speaker with a strong fluency and foundation in American or British English learns to make (possibly) vast and quick changes to his/her usual speech patterns, in order to sound like someone from a geographical area different from his/hers. These changes include vowel and consonant sounds, musicality, rhythm, and tempo. 

These lessons are offered in different ways, depending on the circumstance. Sometimes actors need to prepare sides (portions of the script they have to prepare for the audition) at the last minute, while other (usually, experienced) actors spend extensive time in advance perfecting dialects for characters from various regions that they usually get to play or audition for.

For a last minute audition, the goal for the actor is to sound as close to the character as possible, only for the lines in the script, and within the limits of the time frame. The actor should be realistic in his/her expectations, which need to be based on the amount of time and/or lessons that he/she can spend on the material, and his/her individual (and varying) degrees of natural ability and speed in understanding and mimicking the different sounds.

The actor/speaker who wishes to extensively study an accent or dialect of a different American state or country outside the United States has a strong reason for undertaking lessons, and treats them like a long-term investment. Here, a more scientific and methodical approach is used, where the speaker becomes so fluent in the accent or dialect that he/she can improvise dialogue far beyond the limits of the sides or script.

Online lessons

Typically Best for : people from areas far from Los Angeles

These lessons are offered via Skype, FaceTime or telephone for speakers and performers who usually live outside of Los Angeles, California.

All of the above lessons except Combat for Fitness and Combat for Screen & Stage are offered online.

Telephone (without video) lessons are offered only for accent reduction and United States residents.

Audition Technique/Preparation

Typically Best for : actors for film, television, plays and musical theatre

These lessons prepare the actor for specific auditions in film, television, and stage. Often, actors are given short notice to prepare for auditions, and the coach helps the actor make quick acting choices to develop and prepare the character based on the breakdown (casting notice with the character's description) and the scene(s) from the sides (portions of the script that the actor prepares for the audition). Lessons involve running the scene(s) with the coach making constructive adjustments in order to give the actor confidence and preparation. These lessons move at a faster pace.

Acting for Camera & Acting for Stage lessons

Typically Best for : actors in film, television, plays, musical theatre and non-actors

These lessons focus on developing the actor's overall skills, by giving him/her various techniques/methods to explore character work in scenes, so that the actor independently makes smarter choices during auditions and more importantly, if actually cast in a show.

The lessons are offered to actors of all levels, from complete beginners to veteran performers, with different aspects of acting practiced. Beginners are typically introduced to basic aspects of understanding a character, scene, vocal energy, text analysis, and emotional connection; intermediate to veteran performers usually challenge themselves to grow more than their current talents by exploring techniques different from what they are used to.

Combat for Fitness lessons

Typically Best for : people who want to get in shape through martial arts and self-defense movements; developing mental and physical confidence, awareness in one's space; releasing negative energy cathartically through trained physical movement.

These lessons are an enjoyable way of getting fit and in shape, losing weight while gaining lean and functional muscle, while developing and/or improving one's physical movements through the use of martial arts and self defense techniques. 

See a teaching demonstration here!

Combat for Screen & Stage lessons

Typically Best for : actors for film, television and stage.

Ever wanted to learn how to safely 'fake fight', like in a movie or on stage? Or you may have had to prepare a fight scene with a partner for a play or movie or acting class. Or you may need to demonstrate a prepared routine in an audition for a role you might be just right for!

These lessons teach you to do just that, and are a ton of fun! 

In unarmed screen/stage combat, you are taught how to safely pretend to slap, punch, kick, knee, elbow, foot stomp, head butt and choke your acting scene partner without hurting your scene partner or yourself.

In armed screen/stage combat, you are taught how to safely pretend to attack your scene partner with weapons. You are taught safe distance, timing, preparing/winding up your shots, sound effects of strikes (always the most fun!), vocal violence, angles, and safety protocols.