Amanda Quaid is a speech & dialect coach in New York City. She teaches dialects to actors for auditions and performances, and she also specializes in "accent reduction," helping performers, corporate clients, and others improve their English diction so they can speak clearly and confidently.

Students come to her with a variety of interests. Some wish to work long-term to develop better speech and diction for stage and film, some wish to master a dialect for an audition or expand their dialect repertoire, and some wish to work on their speech simply to learn about themselves, improve their self-confidence, or become more effective in the workplace. Whatever your focus, Amanda works based on your goals, experience, and time constraints. She teaches both in person and, if needed, over the phone or on internet video via iChat.

CURRENT & UPCOMING CLASSES

HB STUDIO What's In Your Blood? Accents and Dialects of Your Heritage: Actors often have the easiest time picking up dialects that are part of their lineage, and they tend to use them the most in their work. In this special dialects workshop, you will research and prepare dialects from your family's heritage. This may include interviewing an elderly family member, creating an audio archive of your family's speech, or simply probing your family tree to discover a dialect you may never have known you could use. Rather than learning dialects as a group, the class will be focused primarily on research strategies for tackling dialects on your own along with a monologue presentation at the end of class. Students should be prepared for research work outside the classroom. By the end of the short workshop, you will have a dialect you know you'll be able to use, an improved ear, and a wealth of research methods for approaching dialects in the future. Suitable for students who have some previous dialect training, but open to enthusiastic beginners.
HB STUDIO Speech I: Introduction to Vowel Sounds: Designed for speakers with foreign or regional accents, or American speakers who want to enhance their understanding of the International Phonetic Alphabet, this class introduces you to the vowels and diphthongs of American English. With individual attention in every class, you will become aware of the structure of your own accent and learn methods for altering it, so you can speak with ease in American English. I don't approach your native speech as a "problem" to be "eliminated," and I never suggest you completely abandon your accent or language. Rather, I see General American Speech as a new tool. Once mastered, it only gives you more options
HB STUDIO Speech II: Consonants and Special Topics in Accent Reduction: This class begins with an introduction to the consonants of American English, going in depth with the trickier ones for foreign speakers (including "th," "r," "ng"). The class then goes on to address difficult consonant groups, stress patterns, strong form vs. weak form, and intonation. This is primarily for foreign speakers or students with regional accents who have some experience with the International Phonetic Alphabet and a working vocabulary of their own challenges with General American Speech. Assignments may include annotation exercises to strengthen command of the IPA, listening homework, and work with longer passages of text such as monologues.
HB STUDIO Major Stage Dialects: An introduction to some of the most frequently used foreign accents and American dialects. This class uses native speakers as the primary model, working from interviews, film footage, guest speakers, tv/radio, and music in addition to phonetic sound substitutions. We address placement, rhythm, intonation, and vocabulary. We also address how to use the accent to help your acting process rather than letting it get in your way. By the end of the term, you have 3-6 new accents under your belt, a better ear, a new understanding of your personal speech, and the tools to work on your own in the future. Accents are chosen as a group at the beginning of the term and have included everything from Standard British to Japanese, Polish to Puerto Rican. Background in the International Phonetic Alphabet is helpful, but not required.
ACTEEN Saturdays: Speech & Voice for Young Performers