Alisa is a fun, vibrant teacher who immediately sets her students at ease with her down-to-earth sense of humor. She has a special knack for identifying her students’ roadblocks – physical and psychological – and helping them work through them. If you find yourself struggling with your voice, your book, your fears about auditioning or performing, give Alisa a few minutes and she’ll probably have found the source of your struggle. Not for those who want to coexist with the very things that are holding them back!
Alisa’s guidance in developing healthy vocal habits, strong audition techniques and acting choices is useful to someone already belting out 8 shows a week, or to someone for whom the thought of singing and acting at the same time is new and scary. I highly recommend her!— Kat Sherrell N.Y.C., Pianist/Music Director
Alisa Endsley is simply awesome! Alisa has the amazing gift of pin pointing what your issues are, real, imagined or otherwise and telling you the absolute and honest truth! She does this in a productive and supportive way, that enables you to reach obtainable goals, be it building your book, your technique, or your confidence. I’ve worked quite a bit in film, TV. and “straight” theatre. After coming back to NYC I auditioned a few times but it didn’t click until I decided to get serious and take Alisa’s class. She helped me build up my confidence and really take a stab at it. The result, the next musical audition I went on after her class I booked! I highly recommend Alisa!
— Gilbert Glenn Brown
Simply put, Alisa is amazing! I started taking lessons from Alisa a few months before I auditioned for AMDA. Not only did I get in, but I also received a huge scholarship! Without Alisa’s guidance none of this would have been possible! She was able to pull out of me the best audition of my life! Her passion & dedication are infectious! Her knowledge about voice,acting,song selection& performance are unparalleled. Alisa is my go to gal for anything performance related!
— Morgan Cerio
Alisa’s class offers a valuable opportunity for musical theater performers at all levels. The class environment is comfortable, nurturing and productive. Alisa is genuinely concerned with each student’s progress and that concern does not end when the class does. She makes herself available to assist students when they need it. Also, more than half of the class booked acting jobs shortly after enrolling in this class. Coincidence? I think not.
— David Weitzer
I had been floundering in NYC auditions for some time. I knew I had a good voice and good songs, but I wasn’t getting any response and I couldn’t figure out what was missing. Enter Alisa! With her laser-like focus, she helped me transform into a singer who acts her songs. She gave me concrete techniques and worked hard to figure out exactly what would help me and what wouldn’t instead of a one-size-fits-all approach. And having a professional pianist available at every session is invaluable in making sure your music is perfect for the audition accompanist! Since I started working with Alisa, I have started getting callbacks and booking jobs with much greater success!
— Jennifer Ambler
The basic difference between a real teacher and a person who teaches is the ability to listen and get the best out of their students. Alisa is a real teacher, because she doesn’t tell you what to do, but listens to what you need to find out about yourself and then shows you how to achieve it. Her class made me regain confidence in myself; she knows how to point exactly what you need to change and how to bring out what you need to show. And beside she is so fun and completely adorable!
— Del Fragni
When I came to Alisa, I was frustrated at what I felt was a plateau. I had a good audition book, my look matched my songs, but I wasn’t booking like I wanted. So, like many singers, I started focusing on what wasn’t “perfect,” like where I was struggling through my passagio or the higher notes missing from my belt. The first thing Alisa did was take away the mental stress I had attached to certain notes, and give me brand new pieces (from her seemingly unlimited data/knowledge base!) based on the roles I was most likely to book in the current season and the goals I had for my voice.
Over the last year, she has guided me through physical warm ups, vocal acrobatics, and LOTS of laughs to get me “out of my own way.” She is part acting coach, part vocal coach, and all cheerleader. In her sweet and purposeful way, she breathes new life into your old pieces and helps you through your hang-ups. She gives you her all, and expects the same in return — but it’s not all work and no play. She will also be the first one to celebrate with you at your Off-Broadway debut, like she was for me!!
— Shannon Munley
When I started working with Alisa, I hadn’t been auditioning for musicals for a few years and wanted to get back into it. She immediately created an energetic, nonjudgmental space in which I could really challenge myself and take risks. Alisa is extremely perceptive and determined to tackle every potential block to achieving my personal best. She has helped me solidify my technical foundation and build a book that suits my strengths as an actor. I highly recommend working with her!— Carolyn McCandlish
Studying with Alisa is inspirational. Her enthusiasm is infectious and her dedication to the principles of honest expression is unwavering. She challenges her students to tell a story (till it becomes their story) simply and without affect. I found her process stimulating, encouraging and her insights invaluable.
— Karen Gerson, Singer/Actress N.Y.C.
Alisa has an excellent way of connecting with artists, seeing exactly what they need to do in order to move forward with their talents, she does so with immense compassion, sensitivity & unbridled enthusiasm.
— Alee Reed
U.S. Performing Arts Camp, Program Director (New York City Location)
Alisa is the perfect combination of knowledge, experience and passion. Her teaching style is both uplifting and inspiring. Her ability to provide her students with the best audition content combined with amazing technique makes Alisa one of the best in her field
— Fred Haug
Project Director, NBC/Universal – “On The Set”
Alisa’s class is absolutely wonderful! It is the perfect class for the novice and/or the expert. Her style of communication is warm and encouraging and all the while she’s pulling the best you’ve got inside of you, out into your performance. I would recommend anyone looking to improve their performance skills to this class. It’s helped me tremendously.
— Okema T. Moore, Singer/Actress
Alisa’s class is very motivational and nurturing. Her style of teaching puts you at ease and makes you comfortable. She shares her opinion on your material but allows you to decide what works for you and lets you incorporate your style to make it your own. Her zest for life is very infectious and it manifests in the way she offers her thoughts. She is very generous with her talent and expertise in helping you hone your craft. Whether you are a beginner or veteran in the business, Alisa’s class is something that you shouldn’t miss!
— Jerome Amaquiton
After nine years of performing in musical theatre and opera, I found myself developing small performance habits or “ticks” that would do nothing other than pull me out of the moment. With Alisa’s guidance I have been able to recognize these habits and free myself from any emotional restriction that I previously felt, enhancing my work as a singer, actor, and human being! She provides a safe environment in which to learn, practice, and create. Without Alisa I truly believe I would not be where I am today. She is an amazing teacher, and with complete enthusiasm, will support you every step of your journey. I highly recommend working with Alisa. If you haven’t already contacted her, do it today!
— Michael J. Austin, Principal Vocalist, American Music Theatre
www.michaeljasonaustin.com
Alisa has a gift for encouraging and supporting singers at their level while driving them to be their best. She shows a genuine care and concern for all of her students. It was not only valuable for me as a singing class, but to watch Alisa work with each student was extremely inspirational to me as a teacher. I have regained confidence as a singer and also got a chance to “try out” some new music.
— Nikki Juvan
I would take another one of Alisa’s classes in a heartbeat. I saw amazing wonderful changes in everyone who participated. I loved working in the group class because I learned so much from others-besides learning a lot myself. I was the scared to death shivering student who wanted to find my singing voice. Now I find myself so much more comfortable and singing all the time. Alisa is an incredibly competent, positive and encouraging teacher. She has a unique gift of seeing what people need to work on and she takes different approaches with all her students. I LOVED her class. Sign me up again!!!
— Kari Hansen
When I signed up for Alisa’s recent “Singing for the Stage” class at Middlebury Town Hall Theater, I had no idea what an impact she would have on my own personal “revival” of enthusiasm for musical theater. I am a private practice optometrist by day, but I also had an extensive background in dance, having been a former nationally ranked ice dancer and international title holder. I, however, had drifted away from my favorite “hobby” of musical theater. Alisa’s enthusiasm and experience proved that it is never too late to renew the joy of performing as she has helped me find the freedom to feel positive about taking a risk with my voice again. She has inspired my confidence and I am now rehearsing a principal role for Middlebury Community Theater’s upcoming production of Spamalot! Thanks Alisa!! Combined with the support of the class participants, I found Alisa to be an extraordinary teacher, bringing out the talents of every single one of my classmates, right before my very eyes! I highly recommend the experience “I am not dead yet!
— Dr. Leif Erickson
I have studied with a lot of teachers and what makes Alisa unique is also what makes her a great teacher—she has the ability to create an open and supportive environment to explore your strengths and weaknesses as a singer.
As someone who speaks a second language, I am faced with additional challenges and Alisa has been able to help me overcome those challenges. I am often my hardest critic and I always try to remember her mantra, “progress not perfection”. With her help and guidance I have grown by leaps and bounds from where I started, and not just as a singer but also as an artist. Let’s just say that when I win my Tony, Alisa will be on my list of thank yous. Thank you Alisa!!— Adelina
