About
My name is Dana McCoy, I was considered for a Grammy last year for lead vocals in the category of Rock Song of the Year. I perform regularly and have toured the world, gigged from CBGBs to Lincoln Center to Parisian Jazz Clubs and on, so I have a lot of practical guidance to offer. Many of my students have received music and theatre scholarships, won awards, and now have successful careers, whether in music/theater or fields such as politics where the lessons helped them with poise and nerves while speaking publicly.
I love helping people find their voice, (finding my own was no easy feat!) most especially people who thought they were tone deaf, or couldn't hold harmony. We accomplish that, and for those who are further along already, they will also exceed their own expectations. It's a gift for me to get to witness and take part in this process. A true gift.
Specialties
Musical styles
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
Student's age
Photos and videos
Reviews
Luna M.
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Laura D.
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Frank M.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I tailor lessons/coaching to the goals of the student. So some of lesson one is determining goals and laying out a plan together for how to accomplish them.
I can help with acting, singing, songwriting, arranging, playwriting, preparing speeches, dealing with stagefright.
**For student too far away to get to NYC regularly, I have great success teaching via Skype/FaceTime. Please only contact if you're open to this, and feel free to contact with questions about it. I work with my teachers and students this way as often as not and it's a fantastic use of technology.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Dana McCoy Resume
Singer/Songwriter/Composer/Actor/Director/Playwright/Dancer/Producer/Teacher
Teaching:
- Method Acting for Musicians; Power Station, Berklee NYC
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Method Acting at TVI Actors Studio, Actor’s Equity New York City
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Acting for Dancers, Tides Dance Collaborative, Chatham Massachuse s
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Acting is Reacting at the award-winning Harwich Junior Theatre, Harwich,Massachusetts
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25 years of successful private coaching voice, acting, songwriting for students who’ve gone on to win lead roles, scholarships, awards, and placement in prestigious schools and companies.
Private Training:
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Voice: Katie Agresta (Annie Lennox, Cyndi Lauper, Phoebe Snow, Jon Bon Jovi, Jersey Boys
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Acting: Marcia Haufrecht of the Actor’s Studio
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Dance: Pamela Feri of the Ballet Russe De Monte Carlo, Mimi Paul of New York City Ballet, Duncan Noble, Gina Vidal, Gus Giordano, Luigi
Education:
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Berklee College of Music – BA Voice/Performance - Scholarships: Cleo Lane Award, Berklee Grant
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Boston Conservatory – Musical Theatre Program
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NYU Film School, film/video editing
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North Carolina School of the Arts – High School of Ballet
Instruments:
Voice,Piano,Keyboards,Bass,Drums,Percussion,Violin,Ukulele,Balalaika,Dulcimer
Music:
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2017 Grammy Nominee for Lead Vocals on “Sky” by Albert Bouchard (co-founder of Blue Oyster Cult) on his solo CD, Surrealists
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Lead vocals @ Lincoln Center Damrosch Stage with Joe Hurley’s Ourland Festival including Rock & Roll Hall of Fame members Dennis Dunaway of Alice Cooper, Joe and Al Bouchard, Tish & Snookie, Soul Legend Tammi Lynn, Erik Lawrence, and more.
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Session work: GE Smith (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame), Albert Bouchard of Blue Oyster Cult, Joe McGinty (Psychadelic Furs) Sean Pelton (SNL), Ric Wake (Producer of Celine Dion, Whitney Houston), Michael Mangini, Run DMC, Essra Mohawk, Richie Jones, Taylor Barton, Alex Alexander and on.
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Artist deals and songs published with Virgin, EMI, Columbia, Esquire, Netwerk, Featherweight, First Choice
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Tours: UK, US, Europe, South of the Equator to North of the Arctic Circle
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Composition for commercial clients: MTV, Viacom, Artistry, Saks Fi h Avenue, etc.
Soundtracks:
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City of Industry with Harvey Keitel, Stephen Dorff, Timothy Hutton
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The Search For One Eyed Jimmy – Steve Buscemi, John Turturro
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Holy Crap, I Can Talk To Plants – MilesPerHour
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Please Don’t Feed e Animals – J. Steven Leeper
Published Songs:
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Hallelujiah – Inner City – Virgin, Top 10 on Billboard Pop Charts UK/Europe/Asia, Dance Charts USA
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Fire – Inner City – Virgin, Top 10 on Billboard Pop Charts UK/Europe/Asia, Dance Charts USA
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Taking Shape Album – Dana McCoy – Featherweight – Twinbrook/iTunes, Billboard Editors Pick for top 10 Album of the Year
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Kiss Goodbye – Dana McCoy -Featherweight/EMI
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How Would You Like It – McCoy/Komis – Netwerk
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One Strike You’re Out – McCoy/Essra Mohawk/Ritchie Jones – Esquire – EMI
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So In Like With You – McCoy/Eric Kupper/Ritchie Jones – Esquire – EMI
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Guilty – Tripping Lily/McCoy
Actor/Singer/Dancer:
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Mom, A Rock Concert Musical by Richard Caliban – Lead Role of Ingrid (Lead and Background Vocals, Bass Guitar, Drums, Keyboards, Percussion) *Award, Outstanding Musical at NY International Fringe Festival
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Across thePond, Original Rock Musical by Zoe Lewis, Directed/Choreographed by Donna Drake of “A Chorus Line” – Lead role of Tammy the Texan Tourist
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Cube Rat, Original Rock Musical by Dana McCoy – Showcased off-Broadway and at Edinburgh Fringe. Lead Role; Minnie Cooper.
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What Not To row Out by Kathleen Warnock, directed by Margaret Van Sant, Lead Role of Allison, performed at Dublin Gay eatre Festival and Women’s International eater Festival, Provincetown, MA
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Prom Queens, co-wrote book and music, lead role of Daisey, lead and background vocals and dance. Showcased off Broadway, and at Crown & Anchor’s Paramount Room, Provincetown, MA
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Ibis the Wayward Whale, composed music for Originial Children’s Musical, Lead role of Bathsheba, Whale Week, Town Hall Provincetown, MA
Director:
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Downtown Mermaid – Wri en by and Starring Cathie Boruch, Off Broadway
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A Shining A ribute by Candyce Rusk for Dublin Gay eatre Festival and Women’s International eater Festival in Provincetown, MA
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Alice and Elizabeth’s One Woman Show – Written by and Starring Alice Barden, off-Broadway and Television
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Cube Rat - Original Rock Musical by Dana McCoy showcased off-Broadway and at Edinburgh Fringe Festival
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Prom Queens - Original Rock Musical, Off Broadway and Crown and Anchor’s Paramount Room, Provincetown, MA
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Ibis the Wayward Whale - Whale Week at Town Hall Provincetown, MA
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A Sleep And A Forge ing by James McLindon for Provincetown Playwright’s Festival
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Navigarre Nessece Est, by Andrea Fleck Clardy for Provincetown Playwright’s Festival
Producer/Associate:
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Colin Quinn, Jerry Seinfeld’s Long Story Short
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David LaChapelle/John Byrne’s Transcending Form
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Marc Maron’s Scorching e Earth
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Joe Hurley’s Ourland Festival, Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park
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Pillowfight eatre Festival’s Hot Chicks of Substance @45Bleecker eatre, NYC including Lesley Gore’s play “It’s My Party...Yeah Right”, Direction by Gretchen Cryer of “I’m Ge ing My Act Together and Taking It On the Road”
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Naked Music Series; Mic Free Music @ Life Cafe, NYC curated and hosted by Dana McCoy offering over 300 gigs to aspiring singer/songwriters
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Cube Rat @ 45Bleecker Theatre, Edinburgh Fringe
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Mom, A Rock Concert Musical, Winner Outstanding Musical @ NY Fringe, and tour of major US cities
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Software:
FinalCutPro,ProTools,Logic,Reason,QLab
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Rates:
$125 per hour
$75 per half hour
48 hour cancellation policy or student is responsible for the lesson
Scholarships available
How did you get started teaching?
There were some incredible twin dancers I wanted to perform with me. They were tone deaf. I found a way to help them feel the notes. They danced and sang harmony with me for many shows before winning glee club scholarships to a major college.
Then students started finding me and I noticed I knew how to help them very intuitively, and I absolutely loved the process.
What types of students have you worked with?
Ages 8 to 108 with no preference. I've taught youngsters in classes and had pretty mature private students and everyone in between; all ages, colors, shapes and sizes. Some are pros now, others are nurses who love to sing in choir, or city council members. But I think they all have more of a skip in their step than when they started.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I had a beautiful high school girl last year, she wanted to go to music school for college so I was contracted to help her prepare for auditions. We worked together four hours a week. She went from not being able to get a role in her high school musicals, to winning the lead, and gaining acceptance to all but one of her college choices. The toughest college gave her a delicious scholarship. She's there now, smiling from ear to ear, and we gig together from time to time. Very proud of her.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
I once had a teacher I felt very nervous with. I don't recommend that route. At least intimidation never worked at all for me. I believe it's best to find a teacher who helps you see and believe in the best of yourself, and has practical tools to help bring that shine forward and out to the world.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Clarity of their goals. Once we have that, we're off to the races.