MWJ Dialect
About
Michael Winn Johnson has been a teacher, a theatre director and a dialect coach specializing in accent modification for over a decade. His journey started with York University where he earned his Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Film, but his love for art and performance didn't stop there. He then attended Seneca College's prestigious Animation program where he first learned about voice acting. After years of trying his hand at filmmaking, he eventually came back to Ontario, and followed the family profession in teaching. He furthered his training in dialects, creating an easy approach to accent lessons for any of his students. His experiences on and off the stage have taught him a lot about vocal health, safe practice, and performance.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
We have a free online assessment, to determine what your goals are. This includes what type of vocal work or Dialect lessons you want, the timeframe in which you want to achieve those goals, and possibly how many lessons you want to have.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
BFA in Film with extensive training in performing arts, animation and voice work
BED specializing in Arts and English
Over 12 years teaching experience
2 time THEA award winning Theatre Director
Host of the 'Vocal Qs' podcast where I interview famous Voice Over artists and actors.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Hourly wage may change, however at this point, with the COVID outbreak, my pricing has dropped significantly for a private one hour session.
How did you get started teaching?
My interests somewhat crossed over in this line of work. I love teaching, I love directing, I love animation, and I've always found English, etymology and accents fascinating. This career seems like a great combination of all of those things, so I began takign courses related to Dialect Coaching and different techniques, which lead me to my work within the field.
What types of students have you worked with?
Students who want to modify their natural accent (whether it be to become more marketable as an actor, or to learn an American accent)
Students who want to learn a specific accent for an audition or role
Students who want to improve Vocal and Breathing techniques for Voice over or performance work
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
The Raptors winning the NBA championship in 2019.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
I am a very patient individual and I love this work. The first consultation is free so you have nothing to lose. I know I can help.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
What are my goals? What's the timeframe I have to reach those goals? How do I learn as a student? (By trying, by watching, by repeating, etc)