Private Lessons/Coaching - Voice, Acting, Piano General & College Audition Prep
Master classes Show Direction Programs/Lectures Consulting Performance
Updates:
John continues as director of The Promise (formerly at the Texas Amphitheatre in Glen Rose,) and recently directed their Easter show, “The Promise of Passover,” at it’s new, interim location, Willow Park Baptist Church just west of Fort Worth, with Margaret helping in the home studio and happily playing Mary, Mother of Jesus in the show. New scripts, music and staging keep this long-running show fresh. We are so privileged to help tell “the greatest story ever told!” Auditions/Rehearsal/Perf info for the Fall show is coming soon.
Shafer played John the Baptist in last year’s Promise of Passover, making it a whole family adventure and was also happy to perform in Water Tower Theatre’s concert version of ‘Phantom,’ enabling him to join Actor’s Equity Association. His band, The Collateral, released a new single “Stay” on Spotify and all music platforms. This one is upbeat pop/rock and they are getting a great response. Check it out! The band has also signed with Gold Sounds Nashville to represent them for licensing for film/TV/radio, etc. Shafer has also been picked up to work with a licensing company as a solo creator. He continues to teach piano and voice, playing solo gigs including The Library Bar in the historic Melrose Hotel in Dallas, and Amore Italian in The Colony, among others, and writing, producing, and providing instrumental and vocal tracks for other artists and companies. He is happy to consult with you on any recording projects.
Our popular Retro Christmas Spectacular, is on hiatus this year due to obligations to other projects. It has been a great success and continues to be a treasured tradition. A heartwarming, toe-tapping, funny and touching variety show in the spirit of your favorite Christmas specials from the “Golden Age” of television. Think Bing Crosby, Andy Williams, Carol Burnett and more.
“Instruction” We have openings in the schedule for new students. Also, check out what our current and former students are up to - Exciting times!!
Broadway veterans John Wilkerson and Margaret Shafer have worked with the finest performers, directors, choreographers, musical directors and technicians, including Tony, Emmy and Oscar-winners from the Broadway and British stages at every level of performance - major concert halls to cruise ships, Broadway shows and Equity national tours, Las Vegas, recordings, television and premier regional theatres. Whether singing opera or country music, playing rednecks or royalty, directing musicals, plays or revues of every type and size, they feel it is imperative to practice the highest standards of professionalism. The Wilkerson's critically acclaimed Broadway, touring, regional and concert performance background, coupled with their decades of successful direction/musical direction, teaching experiences and educational backgrounds, make them uniquely qualified to guide individuals to reach their maximum potential as performers. They understand the physical, mental and emotional challenges of the performing artist.
Shafer Wilkerson has joined our roster of teachers. A vocalist, songwriter, pianist, studio musician, producer and music educator. Prioritizing emotional conveyance in any performance or recording, Wilkerson is a perfectionist in his own work and inspires students toward the same inclination. His students have received scholarships to prestigious Musical Theatre and Music programs at universities such as NYU's Tisch School of The Arts, Berklee College of Music, University of Texas, Belmont University, and Texas Tech, to name a few. He has taught private voice, piano lessons, songwriting and music theory, and was on staff at RBR Muzik (now Irving Fine Arts Academy) for three years, and School of Rock in Edmond, Oklahoma. His studio credits are extensive, as are his musical theatre roles (see “Bio”.) He cares deeply about those he shepherds, in any capacity. His dedication to his craft blends seamlessly with his passion for enhancing and benefiting any student's experience. He asks only that they dedicate themselves to the process of listening and learning. Contact him at 469-744-4098.
Instruction is customized using application of healthy technique, as students have different goals and gifts, and all kinds of music and acting studies are worthwhile. There are many schools of thought on what method/style/technique is the "best." You don't want to be a cookie, so why take a cookie-cutter approach? Find what works best for you. Students have found personal and professional fulfillment through live performance, recording, directing, film/tv, teaching, administration, etc. They’ve attended Belmont, Cincinnati Conservatory, Oklahoma City University, Boston Conservatory, St. Andrews - Edinburgh, Westminster, Ithaca, SMU, Rutgers, Baylor, Duke, Montclair, Otterbein, Missouri State, Tulane, Baldwin Wallace, Milliken, Wyoming, University of Central Oklahoma, UT - Austin, Webster, Tufts, Elon, Pepperdine, USC and more!
