About
Breaking into the entertainment world can be incredibly rewarding but getting there will require more than just natural talent. You will need discipline, determination and, most importantly, the proper training.
Tara Simon Studios is in the business of transforming talented performers into well-equipped, confident, respected, professionals. We offer specialized lessons in piano, voice, acting, music composition, studio recording, audition preparation and much more. Students of all ages and experience levels are considered and all lessons are customized based on the goals and needs of each student. This format provides a unique, tailor-made experience that strengthens and encourages students to grow in their natural abilities.
Tara is a specialty coach and has been teaching children and adults in all areas of the performing arts for more than ten years. She studied musical theater and dance at Marymount Manhattan College in New York City. Early in her career, she toured Europe in the Broadway musical Fame playing Serena Katz, a leading role. She is now channeling her gifts and talents toward securing a career as a Christian recording artist and songwriter. You can learn more about Tara, by visiting
tarasimon.com where you can also download free music, view tour dates and book Tara for your next big event.
Course Descriptions
Audition Preparation: Whether auditioning for an arts school, musical, play, commercial, TV, film or talent agency, students will be well prepared and feel confident. Students learn industry terms to help them communicate effectively, how to enter and exit a room, and what to wear. They also learn about blocking, facial expressions and full-body involvement.
Private Acting Coaching: Tara works closely with the student to help select and perfect a strong, diverse repertoire of monologues. Acting methods include Stanislavski, Strasberg, Sanford and Meisner.
Private Vocal Coaching: Students work closely with Tara to determine vocal range, ability and style and are given the option to explore all genres of music. Singers will not only learn how to sing the song well, but also how to perform the song using blocking, facial expressions and full body involvement. Tara specializes in Speech Level Singing (SLS), her preferred technique.
Music Composition (Private or Group): This class gives students an outlet to express themselves while learning song format, musicality, melodic lines, rhythmical patterns and consistency of theme. Students are given the option to record a demo of their original song and learn how to market it to publishing and music licensing companies.
Private Piano Coaching: Students will learn sight reading, ear training, form and analysis, dynamics, scales, theory and piano vocabulary using the Bastian Series curriculum. Fundamental principles are taught, but the student chooses the songs they feel passionate about playing.
Dance Coaching (Private or Group): Students are taught how to warm up and stretch their bodies, memorize choreography and learn dance terms and vocabulary. Tara will choreograph any genre of dance and movement to any appropriate song according to the student's abilities.
Studio Recording: Singers or songwriters will learn how to sing into a studio microphone effectively and will leave with a working demo showcasing their talent. Musicians will experience recording their pieces with a click track as well as learn how to record layers and multiple takes. Actors looking to do voiceovers will learn vocal inflection, dialects and taking creative direction, plus they will leave with a recording of voiceover samples to send to producers and talent agencies.
Workshops
Musical Theatre: This is a more intensive course that teaches a wide spectrum of the musical theater experience. Students are immersed in all things "Broadway" from stage makeup to vocal projection, dance, proper blocking etiquette, partner interaction, vocal and full-body warm ups, terminology and much more. A musical number will be chosen for the group to be perfected and performed in a showcase at the end of the workshop. (6, 8, or 12 weeks)
Songwriting: This workshop is run just like a professional Nashville songwriting session. Students will be paired and grouped together as co-writers. Tara will assist in guiding the writers in rhyming pattern, song format, melodic line and storytelling. At the end of the workshop, students will perform their original works in a showcase much like the "Writer's Round" showcases in Nashville. (6, 8, or 12 weeks)
How to Act a Song (Private or Group): Students will learn a variety of tricks and techniques that help them deeply internalize any song they are singing. This is especially beneficial for students performing dramatic pieces. Students will perform in a showcase at the end of the workshop. (6, 8, or 12 weeks)