Andrea Gwynnel - Acting And Speech Coaching, Yoga Teacher
About
ACTING: I have over 20 years of teaching experience, an MFA in theatre 1995, I am an actor and know the current trends. Specialize in voice, speech, accents, speaking Shakespeare and the classics, coaching acting and dialects, film, tv, auditioning, improv.
YOGA: I've been teaching Yoga for 12 years and I am an Experience Registed Yoga Teacher through Yoga Alliance (ERYT 500, YACEP), CPR Certified and insured. I've taught four teacher trainings and 5000 hours of class instructon.
As an actor, losing myself in the character and sinking into the present moment with no thoughts of me or my life "stuff" is indescibably satisfying and healing in a way. When I see my student discover this authenticity in their own work, I feel lit up from the inside; it's an unspoken shared experience that makes one forget about time and yet have a heightened awareness of everything occuring in that moment. It's extraordinary.
Yoga is the perfect companion to being an actor; it keeps you grounded, in the moment, physically fit, cultivates a positive attitude, a keen focus and the development of non attachment. Yoga has transformed my life in every way and has given me a lifetime of gifts that I am ever grateful for.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
In the first lesson I take some extra time in just getting to know each other a little, settle into each others energy. I try to get clear on what the student desires out of our time together. As we chat, I get a better sense of how that student learns best; audio, visual, tactile and tune into whether they work more from the head, the heart or thie hips. After this short intro time we jump right into the work.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
ACTING - MFA in Theatre with an Acting emphasis (1995), focus was on Shakespeare and the Classics. Has been acting for over 30 years and has taught acting since 1998. Is a member of Actors Equity Association, SAG/AFTRA and has done theatre all over the country and abroad. Has on set dialect coached some of the biggest names in Film and TV.
YOGA - Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher through Yoga Alliance - (ERYT 500, YACEP) over 5000 hours of teaching, has taught 4 teacher trainings. Received 200 hour Teacher Training in 2007, 500 hour Teacher Training in 2010 both at Yoga Works Los Angeles and 100 hours Hatha Yoga and Ayurveda training in the Himalayas, India. CPR certified and insured.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
YOGA private lessons -$40 per hour single; add $10 per student thereafter.
ACTING private lessons - $60 per hour for a single student, add $20 per student thereafter
-TRAVEL: 10 miles distance is free.
-After 10 miles: it's $1 per mile, (distance is measured one way, from me getting to you).
-No extra charge if you come to Long Beach.
How did you get started teaching?
ACTING: By being a well trained stage actor with an MFA in classical theatre; I've done many british plays and began informally taking on dialect coaching duties during rehearsals eventually the word got around that I was a dialect coach. In 1998 while I was touring while I was touring a production of MACBETH, I started co-teaching high school acting workshops. I found I had a knack for ignighting passion in my students and I was amazed by the results I started to see.
YOGA: I had been teaching acting for several years so in 2006, I was doing so much Yoga, that it seemed natural for me to enroll in a great teacher training program and become a certified teacher. This decision changed my life for the better in so many profound ways and deepened my appreciation for teaching anything I've got to give from the breadth of my own experiences.
What types of students have you worked with?
FILM, TV, STAGE: From on-set coaching for award winning network TV shows, to professional kid actors, to directing university students in plays.
YOGA TEACHING: beginner, intermediate, advanced, pregnant, seniors, students with injuries and disabilities.
YOGA TEACHER TRAINING: co-taught three intensive, 200 hour teacher training training programs and co-mentored a 300 hour advanced, professional teacher training.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I took my daughter to the screening of "Cold War" and there was a talk back with the lead actress and the director and it was spectacular!! I predict it will win the Oscar for Best Foreign Film (it's 3 months until the Oscars, I'll let you know)
Saw the band BONES (UK) they rocked my world!
Saw the Second City, Christmas Comedy Show at The Laugh Factory in Brea, I haven't laughed that hard in a long time:-)
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Yoga and Acting are both deep and profound studies of oneself and should not be taken frivolously. Look at the teachers background; where have they taught and to whom; are they a professional pursuing it; where and what is their own training; do you feel comfortable with them?
Public classes are a good place to start if you're just trying it out!
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Private lessons are not cheap and are for folks who want to further their commitment and therefore are ready to invest in their future. Is the student ready for the kind of focus and commitment it takes and are they able to afford it and carve out the time for the lesson as well as the homework?