How Ryan Started Teaching
Ryan Kelly is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University and has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama. Ryan studied Good American Speech with Natalie Baker, and Dialects and Accents with Don Wodsworth, (both Natalie & Don were Students of Speech teacher extraordinaire Edith Skinner - author of the speech bible - Distinct Efficient and Pleasing.)
Trying to lose her regionalism was a harrowing experience for Ryan. To negate her native Staten Island/Brooklyn sound, (characterized by extreme nasality and a lazy soft palate), not only did she have to retrain her muscles, she also had to retrain her ears. Ryan was extremely self-conscience of her speaking voice; she never knew what horrible sounds would erupt from from her face.
Her attention to detail paid off and upon graduation her sound was more than Distinct Efficient and Pleasing. She had mastered Good American Speech and could wield numerous dialects and accents with specificity and nuance.
To her delight, her speaking voice was the tool that booked the job, and the element most singled out by critics:
". . .one does find herself rooting for Maggie, despite her cattiness and shamelessness. And Ryan Kelly does an admirable job with the character- she has an amazing voice, both softly feminine, and huskily masculine at the same time, and she uses it to her advantage here. Maggie's impassioned speeches and cruel but hilarious remarks (her calling Mae and Gooper's children "no-neck monsters, " for instance) give Kelly a chance to really work that voice. She also uses her quite lovely features to the fullest, alternating from brazen sexuality to horror to humor to wonder in an instant. . .I think you'll enjoy Miss Maggie the Cat's meow. Even if it isn't always pretty."
Kate McDowell - The Dominion Post
Ryan began booking dialect plays, and coaching her fellow actors with their dialect work. She noticed more colleagues coming to her for help, seeking her "ears" and expertise to iron out their bad habits or to attain a more neutral sound. So Ryan began to teach voice and speech, and dialects and accents privately. One evening in a sit com class, Ryan was singled out by her coach (Richard Scanlon.) Noting her impeccable speech, Richard asked Ryan to train his acting students to become neutral speakers. These particular students had pronounced dialects and accents.
What makes Ryan a great fit for her students is her own speech history. She remembers how difficult the process was and in turn, makes her learning environment fun, professional, and non-judgmental. Ryan works with each individual to customize a curriculum tailored to their specific needs and goals.
Trying to lose her regionalism was a harrowing experience for Ryan. To negate her native Staten Island/Brooklyn sound, (characterized by extreme nasality and a lazy soft palate), not only did she have to retrain her muscles, she also had to retrain her ears. Ryan was extremely self-conscience of her speaking voice; she never knew what horrible sounds would erupt from from her face.
Her attention to detail paid off and upon graduation her sound was more than Distinct Efficient and Pleasing. She had mastered Good American Speech and could wield numerous dialects and accents with specificity and nuance.
To her delight, her speaking voice was the tool that booked the job, and the element most singled out by critics:
". . .one does find herself rooting for Maggie, despite her cattiness and shamelessness. And Ryan Kelly does an admirable job with the character- she has an amazing voice, both softly feminine, and huskily masculine at the same time, and she uses it to her advantage here. Maggie's impassioned speeches and cruel but hilarious remarks (her calling Mae and Gooper's children "no-neck monsters, " for instance) give Kelly a chance to really work that voice. She also uses her quite lovely features to the fullest, alternating from brazen sexuality to horror to humor to wonder in an instant. . .I think you'll enjoy Miss Maggie the Cat's meow. Even if it isn't always pretty."
Kate McDowell - The Dominion Post
Ryan began booking dialect plays, and coaching her fellow actors with their dialect work. She noticed more colleagues coming to her for help, seeking her "ears" and expertise to iron out their bad habits or to attain a more neutral sound. So Ryan began to teach voice and speech, and dialects and accents privately. One evening in a sit com class, Ryan was singled out by her coach (Richard Scanlon.) Noting her impeccable speech, Richard asked Ryan to train his acting students to become neutral speakers. These particular students had pronounced dialects and accents.
What makes Ryan a great fit for her students is her own speech history. She remembers how difficult the process was and in turn, makes her learning environment fun, professional, and non-judgmental. Ryan works with each individual to customize a curriculum tailored to their specific needs and goals.