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ACT of CT offers virtual lessons (beginner to advanced) in Vocal Technique, Acting, Piano, Dance, Musicianship, and more! Students are assigned an instructor based on their specific goals and have the ability to bring in their own repertoire or work with the instructor on the repertoire of their choosing. Lessons can be geared towards adults and professionals as well as children ages 8 and up. See instructors’ bios below. Private virtual lessons will be conducted via Zoom.

Questions? Email education@actofct.org for more information.

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE: Needs-based financial assistance is available through ACT of CT’s scholarship program. Learn more and apply here: First ACT!

PRIVATE LESSON POLICY:

Cancellation of a lesson must be made at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled lesson time in order to receive a make-up lesson at a time convenient to both the instructor and the student. No shows or failure to notify ACT of CT and/or the instructor prior to 24 hours is considered a forfeited lesson. There are no refunds on forfeited, unused or cancelled lessons. As a show of respect for our instructors, we kindly request that students sign on for their lesson 5 minutes ahead of time, prepared to concentrate and focus for the duration of the lesson. ACT of CT will provide students with the Zoom link. Students should test their technology set-up prior to the lesson and should have all necessary materials ready, including any music tracks (as applicable). Students should work in a quiet area, as private and with as few distractions as possible. Any activity that would not be acceptable in a live studio space within ACT of CT is not permitted in the virtual lesson environment by a student or bystander who may be present in the student's virtual workspace. Our instructors reserve the right to cancel any subsequent lessons in the event that students or bystanders demonstrate any inappropriate behavior.

Featured

Daniel C. Levine

ACTING

Daniel is thrilled to serve as Artistic Director of ACT of CT. Daniel has appeared on Broadway and in the Broadway National Tours of: MAMMA MIA!, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Tony Nomination For Best Revival), CHICAGO, LES MISERABLES, and TOMMY. Daniel was nominated for Best Actor in a Musical by The League of American Theaters and Producers, for his role as Cousin Kevin in THE WHO’S TOMMY. He also originated the role of Mary Sunshine in the Broadway National tour of CHICAGO. Daniel has worked extensively across the country and has been seen in: OKLAHOMA! (5th Avenue, Seattle), NEXT TO NORMAL (Seven Angels Theater), GUYS & DOLLS (The Ordway Theater, Minneapolis), COMPANY (5th Avenue, Seattle), MAN OF LA MANCHA (Cleveland Playhouse), SWEET CHARITY (West Virginia Public), JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (North Carolina Theater and Kansas City Starlight), JOSEPH…..DREAMCOAT (North Shore Music Theater, Boston), and EVITA (Music Theater of CT). Daniel is the creator, producer, and director of BROADWAY BACKSTAGE!, DANCIN’ BROADWAY, and AMERICAN DANCE SPECTACULAR! – all which have toured throughout the U.S. He is the creator and director of BORN TO DANCE, a multi-media production performed throughout the fleet of ships on Princess Cruise Lines, in collaboration with Stephen Schwartz. Daniel serves as Artistic Advisor for The Ridgefield Playhouse Broadway & Cabaret Series in Ridgefield, CT and has directed TOMMY, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, and AN EVENING WITH JOEL GREY at The Playhouse. He graduated Brandeis University and attended Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. At ACT of CT, Daniel has directed MAMMA MIA!, EVITA (for which he won the 2018 Broadway World CT Best Director of a Musical), WORKING (which he re-conceived with Stephen Schwartz), GODSPELL, SNAPSHOTS, and INTO THE WOODS (In Concert). Daniel returned to his performing roots and played “The Dentist” in ACT’s production of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and was also thrilled to star alongside Katie Diamond and Bryan Perri in ACT’s first production of their third season, THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

Bryan Perri

Voice, Piano, Orchestral Conducting, Musicianship

Bryan Perri is the resident music supervisor at ACT of CT and is also the music director of JAGGED LITTLE PILL on Broadway. Bryan has conducted several Broadway and national tours including NEXT TO NORMAL, CHAPLIN, and was the conductor of WICKED for nearly a decade. His upcoming production of ALMOST FAMOUS opens on Broadway next season. Bryan has worked closely with Lindsay Mendez and Aaron Tveit on their live performances and concerts. While JAGGED LITTLE PILL (and Broadway) is temporarily shut down, Bryan is happy to spend some time working with students that he adores.

Sara Brians

Dance

Sara Brians has over 20 years of teaching experience in theatre and dance. She teaches intensive workshops, master-classes, private lessons and drop-in classes in NYC, across the US and all over the world. She continues to inspire all ages and levels of theatre and dance artists from beginner to professional; including intensives for teachers, preparing celebrity clients for performances and novices for their first wedding dance. She has worked on six Broadway shows with hundreds of child and adult actors from the casting process through the training for and maintenance of their performances. Her work on Broadway and countless regional and international productions has provided an immeasurable amount of teaching and mentoring experience in the context of large, multi-million dollar productions. Sara has also taught, directed and choreographed extensively at universities, and theatre and dance schools, and brings her professional expertise to all of her classes, while nurturing her students’ development by meeting them wherever they are in their process. Sara has over 20 years of teaching experience in theatre and dance. She teaches intensive workshops, master-classes, private lessons and drop-in classes in NYC, across the US and all over the world. Sara has also taught, directed and choreographed extensively at universities, and theatre and dance schools, and brings her professional expertise to all of her classes, while nurturing her students’ development by meeting them wherever they are in their process.

Caren Cole

Piano

Caren Cole brings a wealth of experience to her teaching practice. A graduate of the Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto, where she began classical music studies at age 4, Ms. Cole went on to York University to pursue a degree in child psychology only to switch her program to music and finish her degree as a jazz major. After years of performance, composing, conducting and music directing both on and off Broadway and on tour, Ms. Cole left NYC and settled in Ridgefield CT. Never losing her deep interest in nurturing creativity and self-esteem in children through the study of music, she has a thriving teaching practice which includes supporting classical students through the Royal Conservatory Program, encouraging young composers, singers and song writers, introducing jazz concepts to interested students and guiding young students and adults alike along the path of piano studies. Influenced by the teachings of Maria Montessori and Shinichi Suzuki, teaching is done with attention to and respect for each student’s individual pace and natural style of learning in a caring, loving and encouraging atmosphere.

Brian Curl

Acting

Brian Curl is a professional teaching artist, actor, choreographer, director, and producer. Since 2008, Brian has been traveling the world teaching at conferences, festivals, high schools, and colleges/universities. As an actor, he has performed in 49 of the 50 states as well as off-broadway, off-off-broadway, regional theatres, summer stock, and at Walt Disney World. Favorite credits include: JOSEPH...DREAMCOAT (national tour,) MAME (national tour), 7 brides...(national tour) , AUSTEN'S PRIDE (pre-Broadway), 42ND STREET (Billy Lawlor), PARADE, and WHITE CHRISTMAS. In late 2019, Brian founded Daily8Count.com, an online choreography education tool for the classroom...check it out! Brian is also a proud founding member of the Teaching Artist Alliance. A big kid at heart, Brian enjoys working with the future of the theatre industry! Insta: @briancurl81 & @daily8count

Diane Tauser

Voice

Diane Tauser is an established New York City vocal technique teacher, musical performance coach and produced composer/lyricist (“I’ll Be Seeing You” at the Kimmel Center For The Performing Arts, Philadelphia, PA). Formally the Resident Voice Teacher at Davenport Studios, owned and operated by Tony Award winning producer Ken Davenport (Once On This Island, Kinky Boots) from 2011-2015, her studio is currently featured at The National Opera America Center. For over 20 years Diane has worked closely with young talent (PPAS, Rosie’s Kids, Harlem School Of The Arts). In addition to working with Broadway/Off-Broadway/Regional theater actors, Anime Voiceover and dance performance artists, she specializes in assisting singer/songwriters and multi-genre composers in developing and recording their original work. As a master voice teacher, she embraces vocal techniques and body-release work that increases range, breath, tone and over all vocal health. She believes in a “Mind-Body-Spirit” approach to the art of the performing voice, as well as exploring creative applications for enhancing musicality, stylistic freedom and most importantly dramatic intention. Diane’s musical background features mentorship with the late, great Sebastian Engleberg (Frederica Von Stade’s voice teacher who led her to win the Metropolitan Opera Auditions); Anthony Amato (Amato Opera); world renown dramatic soprano Doris Jung (Metropolitan Opera; Prima Donna of both Munich and Stuttgart Operas). Placido Domingo and conductor Felix Popper were advisors for her first company, American Singers Ensemble.

Scott Bryce

Acting

Scott Bryce is a twice Emmy Nominated Best Actor (As The World Turns) whose long on camera career spans “FACTS OF LIFE” to “FBI”.

Scott is also an award winning Director and Producer. Scott Produced the Emmy winning “FREDERICK DOUGLASS, FROM SLAVERY TO FREEDOM” starring Jamie Hector. He executive produced and directed the soap opera satire, “STEAMBOAT” – winner of Best in Branded Entertainment Award. For the “YOUNG AMERICAN HEROES” series for PBS, Scott produced and directed 2 episodes, Elisha Stockwell (Civil War) and Sybil Ludington (American Revolution).

Scott has years of directing for the stage, most recently, “OLIVER RE-IMAGINED” ( the classic musical set in modern day) and “THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME”.

Scott has been teaching young talent for decades. From beginning actors to Master Classes at university level, including Curry College and NYU: Tisch School of the Arts. Scott serves on the Board of Directors of the New Paradigm Theatre and the Board of Advisors for The White Heron Theatre, The Nantucket Theatre Institute.