PIERCE PETER BRANDT

The Work

Master Classes, Workshops, and Private Sessions

Excellent, compelling solo song performance in musical theater requires much more than just learning notes and lyrics, producing them pleasantly with the voice, and then standing up to sing. Whether in an audition or an actual performance, while singing ability is an important part of the picture, in today's musical theater, acting is first priority. And...

acting-while-singing requires a rather different approach
than non-musical acting. 

Why? Because so many of the factors in performing a song are out of the singer's control: tempo, rhythm, lyrics, rhyming, dynamics, notes, harmonies, and choreography/blocking, not to mention keeping in sync with the conductor and with the orchestra/accompaniment... just to name a few. And yet, even with all of these factors out of your control, you, the singer, have to appear as though they are in your control, and in fact that...

you, as the character singing the song, are spontaneously living and creating this moment of song at the very moment it is happening.

This is where the true work of the accomplished musical theater actor comes in. Creating this illusion requires dedication, time, research, careful planning, and practice. It’s about integrating honest acting and truthful, eloquent lyric interpretation with musicianship, vocal ability, and confidence, and that’s just the beginning. In Pierce's classes, workshops, and private sessions, he covers looking at the song as a monologue; "coloring" the song with the dynamics of emotion, intent, subtext, phrasing, and vocal quality; body language, blocking and movement; when to sustain a note and when not to; when to “sing pretty” and when not to; how to relate to one’s audience (whether in an audition or actual performance); song choice for auditions, and many other key principles that musical theater actors often forget or rarely consider.

In musical theater, simply being a singer (even a great singer) is not enough! In fact, in most cases, for musical theater, this kind of work is as important -- if not more so -- than training the voice.

This work is the important missing link for musical theater actors and singers of all ages and skill levels. Why? Because, in nearly every case, unless a certain role requires unique vocal "acrobatics," audiences are more drawn to performance than vocal quality. Even with "vocal acrobatics," it's the actual effect of the richness and depth (in acting) of the performance that makes the final impression.

Any song you sing becomes a statement uniquely your own when you perform it. This work is designed to help you get inside the song, and to get the true essence, power, and message of the song inside of you.

Testimonials from Students

“Pierce strikes a symbiotic balance between welcoming the student and making him/her feel comfortable while maintaining a high level of expectation and professionalism. During the week following each class session, he often, via email, gave suggestions on how to approach a particular lyric or phrase. This helped tremendously. Pierce works where you are; everyone came from a different level of experience. He gently but firmly directed you to go to the next step. He continually affirmed and empowered the actors to apply the concepts to their work.”
— T. Page, actor/singer, drama teacher

“Wonderful coaching, great direction. Pierce is able to communicate ideas really well. I liked the collaborative interaction. A very positive, non-threatening approach, as well as being inspiring. This approach really works! It was all helpful! Great learning experience – I really enjoyed it.” 
— J. Tice, actor

“I wanted more, more, more! Pierce, thank you for being entirely approachable, very experienced, perfectly honest, pleasantly responsive, and so enthusiastic about sharing your knowledge!”
— J. Ponsford, actor

“Pierce has wonderful insight on song performance and is very specific on what he wants from you. I enjoyed the chance to be free and comfortable in a supportive environment.”
— N. Anthony, actor

“...I just wanted to let you know that I was cast in Jane Eyre for TheatreWorks [one of the San Francisco area’s most outstanding professional companies], and if it hadn’t been for your workshop, I don’t think it would have been possible. Like you said, a voice isn’t everything, and remembering what I had learned from your class, I put a lot more effort in the acting. They offered me the role of “Richard Mason” and the “Rochester” understudy. I truly feel blessed with this opportunity and I really owe it to you. If it hadn’t been for all of your insight in song performance, my chances would have been less. Thank you.”
— N. Anthony, actor