Our 12 week Core Class is an intimate, connected space in which all genres of music and levels of ability are welcome. Wherever you are in your artistic journey, you can expect to gain a knowledge of an actual technique, not just tips and tweaks, to get out of your own way while making music and trust your body, voice, and impulses in the moment.
Class
Core
What you'll receive
Upon signing up, artists receive:
Once a Week Classes
Students choose a home class to attend once a week. The classes are three hours long each and a pianist is present at each class.
Final Off-Broadway Performance
Culminate your 12 weeks with a final performance, tailored around your goals and showcasing your brave work.
Technique Tailored to You
Whether students have had extensive Meisner experience or none at all, we meet each student where they are. Students learn both individually at their level and from others at all levels. Our class sizes being capped at 9, ensures students ample individual work time and personalized attention.
Where, When, & How
Where We Are
We are located in the heart of New York City's theatre district at The Chain Theatre. You can find us on Google Maps!
When We Meet
Artists choose to be a part of either the core class that meets on Tuesdays from 6:00 - 9:00pm or Fridays from 1:00 - 4:00pm.
How Classes Work
We spend 12 weeks digging deep into the Meisner technique and building upon a group goal to culminate in a final performance.
What to Expect
Our class format is:
Opening Reflection & Lesson
We begin each class with a meditation and acceptance of ourselves, just as we are that day. In Meisner, nothing has to be left at the door. We then launch into group work and individual sessions ranging in focuses from the Meisner & acting to psychology and science surrounding the voice to the spiritual and emotional aspects of singing.
Putting it into Play
Students sing either accompanied by our pianist, a cappella, or with their own instruments, and work in a one-on-one session with Jillian with the option to film their session for reflection and sharing.
Joyful Closing & Homework
It is important that in a space where we may go deep and sometimes dark, we exit full and with some light. We close each class by sharing joys and celebrations of the week. Optional homework and journal prompts are given and we go off into our weeks, hopefully better than we came.
About Your
Teacher
Paige
Jillian
Tuesday 6:00pm class & Friday 1:00pm Class
Jillian (she/her) is the Founder of Meisner in Music and holds a Master of Music Theatre degree from Oklahoma City University. With years of classical training and experience writing about psychology and the voice, Jillian approaches her classes with deep empathy and a technical ear. Her specialty is helping singers get out of their heads and in touch with their bodies with patience and research-based insight.
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Who should take Meisner in Music?Artists should take this class if they're looking to reconnect with their bodies while they perform, trust their instruments, and find presence and joy in the art of making music. Many of our students come to us after feeling stuck in their musical performances, overwhelmed from classical training, exhausted by the industry, or wanting to take their crafts to the next level.
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What is the Meisner technique?"I'm a very nonintellectual teacher of acting. My approach is based on bringing the actor back to their emotional impulses and to acting that is firmly rooted in the instinctive. It is based on the fact that all good acting comes from the heart, as it were, and that there's no mentality in it." - Sanford Meisner As musicians, we’re in our heads enough as it is. The aim of Meisner in Music is to equip artists with a technique that centers them in the present moment, shifts the focus off of themselves and into their instincts, and allows them to enjoy moments of musicianship again.
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I’ve never taken Meisner. Would your classes be a fit?Absolutely! Our students range from Meisner newbies to seasoned pros. Whether you’ve had zero Meisner training or years of it, we have faith that you will benefit from our classes.
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Do I need any prior acting experience to join the classes?No prior acting experience is required. Our classes welcome individuals at all levels, and while Meisner is an acting technique, its tools guide us more toward presence in every moment of life, not just ones that are in a performance.
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Would I be the only beginner in my class?Our classes include all levels so you will likely be among other beginners as well as students who have been with us for varying lengths of time. We meet each student where they are and go slowly and deliberately. Whether you're new to Meisner or a seasoned pro, we'll cater your individual work to you and make sure that you get the most out of your class.
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Can I audit a class?While we don't open our classes for audits, we do have free consult calls to see if Meisner in Music would be a fit for your needs. You may book a call by going to any offering's page.
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Should I be a professional musician to join your classes?No. While many of our students are pursuing music careers professionally, you don't need to consider yourself a professional musician to join our classes. The Meisner in Music technique is more about embodiment and tapping into your voice's natural abilities so all levels of experience are welcome. Our classes are designed to nurture your artistic expression so come as you are and let us guide you on an enriching journey of musical discovery!
"Meisner in Music qualmed my fears about feeling pressured and judged in a class with other actors. This class stressed authenticity and embracing every single thing about yourself and your environment, which cracked me open and gave me permission to let go of perfectionism, suppression, and facades. After taking this class, I am addicted to the feeling of being this
open and aware."
- Lauren U.
"Meisner in Music's supportive and loving environment creates a safe space for all actors that allows us to spread our wings and leave self judgements at the door. It gets you out of your head and into the world of your piece with tremendous
freedom and liberation."
- Savannah L.
Meisner is not just an acting technique,
it's a mind-body tool
to help singers with
"Meisner in Music introduced me to performing without stage fright. For the first time, I could sing without an inner monologue of pressure and inferiority."
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- Kyle H.
audition anxiety,
"Meisner in Music is what every singing actor needs. It frees them from feeling focused on technique and allows the authentic voice to flow through. I was surprised by the amazing benefits it actually brought to my voice!"
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- Anna L.
vocal freedom,
& performance
ability.
"Meisner in Music helped me gain a new sense of trust in myself and love of art and performance. I didn't expect for performance to finally feel easy again."
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- Corey T.