Welcome To
The Dialect Salon
Welcome! At The Dialect Salon, you have a home for learning your dialects and accents. You can acquire the tried and true standard stage dialects, like British RP or Brooklyn, NYC. Or you can learn specific dialects, unique to roles you might want to take on, such as Scottish, Jamaican or Japanese. Whether you are required to learn a dialect, or you are just learning it for fun and skills training, Jenny will teach you using her unique VoCo Approach for Performers, which is the culmination of over 30 years of experience. There are three learning opportunities to meet your needs. In The Basics class, you’ll learn the fundamental vocal elements of the featured dialect. In The Practice class, you’ll have an opportunity to drill the vocal elements, getting the dialect embedded in your body. And The Conversation Gathering is your chance to let your hair down, and immerse yourself in speaking dialects with others.
The VoCo Approach to Learning Dialects
For Performers
The VoCo Approach for Performers is the blending of practical knowledge, skills training, intuitive learning and awareness techniques. Jenny has cultivated and honed her unique approach to teaching dialects over her more than 30 years of experience, as an opera singer, amateur linguist, stage/voice/improv actor and voice, speech and dialect coach. The work steps outside the traditional dry textbook versions of dialect acquisition, to embrace a joyful, expressive, and creative approach to master the craft. The VoCo Approach for Performers consists of:
Deconstructing a Dialect through learning:
7 Core Vocal Elements—the identity of the dialect.
4 Supporting Vocal Elements—the character of the dialect.
Processing information through multiple “channels,” such as:
Listening skills training.
Awareness and Verbal Expression of kinesthetic, perceptual and sensory experiences.
Visual imagery and metaphors
Technical terms interconnected with Intuitive language
A Light-hearted, fun atmosphere with entertaining games, interaction with others and meaningful dialogue.
The 7 Core Vocal Elements of a Dialect
A Dialect’s Identity
Each Core Vocal Element functions as part of the whole dialect, which allows us to know its basic identity.
Space
& Sound
Vocal Tract changes in the throat, mouth, and soft palate, through combinations of opening, closing, tensing, relaxing, or small versus large spaces; and the resulting unique Resonance, such as Nasality or Throatiness.
Tune
Melodic pitch variations for expression and emotional emphasis, through the exploration of median pitch range, inflection, intonation, and clarity.
Flow
Rhythmic tendencies of both non-verbal and verbal aspects in the form of the Pace of Speech, or how fast or slowly you speak; the Rhythmic feel of Words connecting one to the other; and the pattern of Emphasis or Word Stress, evident in syllables and words.
Form,
Shapes,
and
Connectors
The overall sense of how the Articulators of Speech, that is, the Tongue, Jaw, and Lips, are used or held; and the Vowel, Diphthong and Consonant substitutions that make up the Speech of the Dialect.
The 4 Supporting Vocal Elements of a Dialect
A Dialect’s Character
Each Supporting Vocal Element functions as the underlying Foundation of the Cultural Origin of the Dialect
Body
Physicality, Upper and Lower Body Movement tendencies, and Non-Verbal patterns.
Nature
The Customs and Culture of the region, country or people, and their Trends and Tendencies.
Words
Unique Vocabulary, Pronunciation, Phrasing or Idiomatic Expressions.
Self
The Self is the end result of a Performer’s Character. The Dialect will evolve from its Basic Identity, to a unique specially designed Dialect crafted by the Performer (and others), from the template of all the Vocal Elements.
The Classes
The Basics Class
We will study one or two featured dialect(s) by deconstructing them into the Vocal Elements. We will systematically study these deconstructed pieces, like resonance, rhythm, speech sound substitutions or dialect culture. This class is generally for beginners, but if you have previous knowledge of the dialect(s), you are welcome to come and review what you know.
The Practice Class
We will do a quick review of the featured dialect(s), then jump right into practicing and drilling the vocal elements and sound substitutions, through partner and team activities, games, and conversation. Jenny will coach you along the way, so you’ll constantly be learning and improving while still having a blast! You’ll come out of class empowered and ready to take on The Conversation Gathering!
The Conversation Gathering
We will meet at a public location, such as a local restaurant, bar or park. We’ll immerse ourselves (or attempt to!) in conversation, speaking in the featured dialect(s) from the previous classes. However, you are always welcome, even if you weren’t able to join us in those classes. The fun of it all will be bravely plunging in and going for it, imperfections and all!
Private Coaching
Jenny works with performers, actors, and non-actors who want to learn, hone and design a dialect or accent for a role, a resume, or just for fun!
1 hour Virtual Private Session $80
Testimonials
O.D.
Actor
With Jennifer’s coaching and guidance, in four weeks, I was able to grasp the dialect well enough to be cast in a production of “Getting Out”, which required a southern accent.
