Voice and Dialect Coaching for Actors

WHY CHOOSE A EUROPEAN OPERA SINGER AS A SPEECH AND DIALECT COACH?

A clear, strong, flexible speaking voice is, undeniably, the essential tool of any professional actor's trade.

The technical principles of good singing are at the very center of those techniques required for efficient speaking. The two are truly inseparable.

Given the level of expertise an opera singer brings to the singing voice, it is only logical that he or she is perfectly poised to apply that knowledge to the speaking voice, with great benefit to actors.

The British, Irish and European dialects are very familiar to Sam McElroy. As an Irishman who grew up in many parts of England, experienced a classical private school education as well as the state system, and gained an Honors Degree in European Languages from the University of London before studying voice at London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama, he has gained a wide repertoire of regional European dialects.

His knowledge of those dialects combines uniquely with the technical ability of the experienced opera singer to coach the 'mechanics' associated with them, so that the actor learns more than the simple mimicking of the dialect in question.

Each dialect is the product of a cultural evolution, and is accompanied by a body language, facial posturing and a vocal positioning which gives it the authenticity an actor requires.

Sam McElroy has grown up in the midst of those cultures, learned their languages and regional dialects. As an opera singer and voice specialist he offers the professional or aspiring American actor the unique opportunity to avail of that particular education.