Private Lessons

Voice, Dance, Music, Acting, and Audition Technique

Your emerging artist will be guided by Baltimore's top artistic professionals who will encourage exploring new talent, skills, and ideas. We offer these private lessons for individual instruction with expert instructors so that learning is always thrilling and exciting.

To learn more or to register for lessons, contact:
Arts Education Manager, Adrienne Bergeron | 410.500.5938 | abergeron@jcc.org

Meet Our Instructors

EMILY PLOVAN

Dance, Dance Audition Technique, Show Prep, & Dance Strengthening
Plovan has worked in the Arts and Culture Department at the J for nearly five years, working as a counselor and dance teacher for Habimah Arts Camp, and assisting with Children’s Theater Production Company for the past two years. Currently, she is acting as the Director for CTPC's production of Frozen Kids. She has been trained in dance from an early age and graduated from Carver Center’s dance prime in 2017. She specializes in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, and dance conditioning.

CHRISTIAN WILSON

Acting, Acting Audition Technique, Show Prep, & Monologue/Scene Work
Wilson is a Baltimore-based actor and teacher. He holds a BFA in Acting from Towson University Class of 2021 where he acted in shows like Othello, Fuente Ovejuna, and The Electric Baby. Christian has previously worked as a teacher with the JCC, teaching acting and Shakespeare. He has also worked as an actor and teaching artist with the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company since 2019.

HANNAH WARDELL

Voice, Voice Audition Technique, & Show Prep
Wardell is a local voice teacher praised for her ability to connect with students and help them reach their maximum potential. Hannah received her undergraduate degree from Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV and completed her master's degree at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University. As a voice teacher, Hannah's goal is to guide her students in finding their true voice. Coming from a classical background, her teaching focuses on a foundational understanding of pedagogy that stresses the importance of healthy singing. By utilizing traditional techniques, incorporating and instilling understanding of the anatomy of the voice, and creating a comforting and creative environment for students to grow, Hannah allows her students to find their best voice.

MARY GIPE

Voice & Voice Audition Technique *Virtual*
Gipe began working for the JCC of Greater Baltimore in 2018 as the Arts and Education Coordinator; helping create and manage all after school children’s arts programming. Mary’s passion for the arts began at a young age and carried her to college where she graduated with a BFA in Musical Theater from Western Carolina University. A few of Mary’s performance credits include: Sheila in Hair, Sarah from Company, and Lady Gabor in Spring Awakening. Mary continues her passion for the arts in Private Voice Lessons, by helping cultivate and provide vocal technique, health, and confidence for young artists. All while teaching virtual lessons, Mary currently lives in NYC where she accepted an offer from the Marlene Meyerson JCC of Manhattan. Mary is overjoyed to be able to still work collaboratively with the JCC of Greater Baltimore and offer students Virtual Voice Lessons!

About Our Private Lessons

Voice

Private vocal training is tailor-made to each individual singer’s needs and goals. Your singer will learn the proper vocal technique to increase vocal range and strength, create a beautiful tone, and maintain a healthy voice. Additionally, students may elect to work on any song within a show that they are currently in rehearsal for (at the JCC or otherwise) to have extra help outside of their allotted rehearsal time. As your singer continues with their teaching artist, they will also gain confidence, poise, and performance technique.

Acting

Private acting lessons are tailor-made for each individual actor’s needs and goals. Ultimately, students gain confidence, conquer shyness, and learn skills to enhance any acting challenge that may lay before them. Your actor will learn a deeper knowledge of how to create and develop character, self-expression, and storytelling. Students may elect to work on an audition monologue, scene for TV series, plays, musicals, or films, or a current show that they have been cast in (at the JCC or otherwise). As your actor continues with their teaching artist, they may also delve into improvisation activities, scene work, and monologues to strength their skills.

Dance

Private dance lessons are tailor-made for each individual dancer’s needs and goals. This is for students who are passionate about dancing and inspired to excel in their art. It is an extension of a child’s initial dance training, but can also assist in additional strength, flexibility, choreography retention, performance technique, and confidence on stage and in the dance studio. Students may elect to work on a dance audition or a show they have been cast in (at the JCC or otherwise) to work on their technique.

What to Bring & Wear

• Water
• A Mask (must be worn at all times by both student & staff)
Actors & Singers:
• A three-ring binder that will hold sheet music
• A Pencil to write notes on music
• If possible, please dress comfortably. Some warmups will include simple stretches.
Dancers:
• Hair tied out of the face (a bun or ponytail are acceptable – if short hair, please pull hair half up in the front of the face)
• Dance attire (leotard and tights and/or tight athletic wear)
• Dance shoes based on the style of dance (Ballet shoes for ballet; Jazz shoes for jazz or hip hop)
• For more questions on attire or recommendations on where to purchase items, feel free to reach out to the Arts Education Manager, Adrienne Bergeron at abergeron@jcc.org.

Inclusion for All

The JCC is dedicated to ensuring that people of all abilities are welcome and included in everything that we have to offer. Please let us know if you or your loved one needs accommodations to take part in any of our programs or events, and we will do our best to make it happen. Please contact Helene Rapaport, inclusion@jcc.org.

Performing Arts Studio Policies

Inclement Weather

Voice lessons will follow the JCC’s Inclement Weather Policy. When the JCC is closed, classes will be canceled. You will be alerted via email as soon as possible of the JCC’s policy.

Cancellation

If you are unable to attend a lesson, please email our Arts Education Manager, Adrienne Bergeron at abergeron@jcc.org and/or your teachers personal email address, should they be willing to share that with you. Out of respect for our teaching artists, if you are planning on missing your lesson or need to reschedule, please contact Ms. Bergeron and your teacher no less that 12 hours prior to the lesson time. If your teacher is unable to make a lesson, you will be given the same courtesy.

Late Arrival

If a client does not show within 15 minutes of the agreed lesson time frame, and the teacher has not heard from you, the teacher is allowed to leave, and the lesson will be charged as attended. Please know that our teaching artists have other commitments outside of your private lessons, so if you are tardy, the time will be taken from your time with the teacher, unless agreed upon by the teacher's availability and desire to stay after the agreed upon time.

Late Pick Up

All children must be picked up promptly. If you are late, there will be a fee of $1.00 per minute per child payable at time of pick-up.

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Jewish Community Center
of Greater Baltimore