Accent Reduction
Be Understood It's up to you!
Speak so that Americans will understand you.
Private Voice Lessons Half Hour or 45 Minutes
ONLINE
Group Work Available
Teaching very smart people
from alll over the world
to communicate effectively.
My clients include a wide variety of professionals from every continent.
I regularly work with individuals around the world online.
The Work
I listen to how you speak and also how you perceive your voice. I't's important to understand what yourgoals are. Together, we decide what will be most beneficial to you. I craft a program to get those desired results.
We'll work through three phases of our work:
There's a wealth of intellectual information that you'll need to understand so our work makes sense to you.
There's the physical aspect: Making the sounds, feeling them in your body. Being able to repeat your successes.
Finally, you'll reach a point where the skills you learn with me will become so normal and routine that they become habit, your new way of speaking.
I shepherd you through each of these pahases until one happy day, you don't need me any more. You will be ready to continue on with self awareness and confidence.
A Special Skill Set
for American English
Understand How
American English Works
I listen to you very carefully.
We build upon small successes
to help you acquire skills and confidence.
We work with the mechanics of American sounds in conversation, drill and reading.
American English has it's own sounds and patterns.
I give you the tools you need to be understood.
I've had great success helping people just like you.
Accent reduction can be acheived
with careful practice and awareness.
If you understand how American English works, if you break it down to the mechanical level of making those strange American sounds, with guided practice
you can learn to communicate easily.
We Get Into Specifics
Certain consonants can be very hard.
(l-r-th-w-v- and others)
Some of the most used sounds in
American English do not exist in the
majority of the world's languages.
I provide you with printed course materials and carefully instruct you how to handle these challenging sounds in easy steps.
We also work the elements of effective speaking; Breath, Resonance, Pitch, Articulation, Projection and Rate.
Contact For More Information
Or To Book a Lesson
CALL: 510-219-1479
Tell me about yourself.
What do you want to accomplish?
Will you be coming to my Berkeley studio
or working online?
What Time Zone are you in?
What are your best times for lessons?
What length lesson do you choose?
(30 min or one 45 min)
Would you like me to speak with the
HR Director of your company?
Lesson structure
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We meet once or twice a week for 30 or 45 minutes.
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We record each lesson. You get an MP3 for practice.
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You're given specific assignments tailored to you with worksheets.
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6-12 Weeks are usually enough
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Weekdays: 8AM-6PM (Pacific Standard Time)
The Instructor
My training is world-class
I have the ears, training,
experience and expertise
to help you meet your goals.
PROFESSOR OF VOICE
San Diego State U.
Old Globe Theatre MFA
U of San Diego
U of Michigan(ext)
UC San Diego (ext)
International, network TV performer
and voice over talent
I hold a graduate degree in Vocal Pedagogy (the teaching of voice) from the University of Michigan. I've taught at major universities and worked as a voice and diction specialist with some of the nations top theatres.
Having worked with singers, actors, public speakers and business people from around the world, I have a very sensitive ear and knack for honing in on the strengths and weaknesses of voices and how people make the sounds of language.
My deep understanding of vocal technique and the elements that makes American English unique allows me to create an effective program for each individual.
Teaching Voice and Diction for the Theatre Dept. at San Diego State University, I developed a powerful program and set of materials that will help you master American English.
Payment
Made by cash, check or credit through the PayPal option. I can Invoice your company.
Online lessons will not start unless pre-paid.
Once a lesson routine has been established, most students pay for four lessons at the beginning of each four lesson block.
I ask for a 24 hour notice for any changes in scheduling. I charge for no-shows and late cancellations. By comitting to a certain time for you, I'm turning away others.
PRICE: 30 min - $60 45 min - $80
Meet Richard Jennings
Client Testimonials
"Meet Richard. He taught me. He is an exact man, and is excellent at dividing things into clean concepts" - A.
“I came to Richard Jennings to improve the quality of my speaking voice and develop greater awareness of my voice. It has been one of the best return on investments I have made in my professional development.”
- Bill
"What I liked about Richard is the thoroughness of his approach.
Richard would tape all the sessions, and ask that I listen to them. This was enormously useful, because you cannot really hear yourself when you are speaking, but when its played back, you can objectively evaluate your own speech. It took me however a few lessons to fully appreciate what he's trying to communicate. Give him a few sessions before judging him "
-Mahmood
"I had no idea you would be able to pick up on the problem so quickly and put me on the road to clarity. Your techniques are clear and simple. Who would have thought voice lessons would be so easy and so effective? "
- Christine
"He has a terrific ear for identifying barriers and bad habits. He has a vivid way of communicating ideas and techniques and puts them into practice with a wide array of warm ups and exercises. I highly recommend him."
- Rona
“If you are dedicated and want to improve your voice, Richard is the teacher for you.”
- Ryan