Congratulations are in order - check out a brief sampling of our current & former student’s updates!

Sophie Pong received offers from Oklahoma City University, Hartt School of Music & Northwestern. She’ll be majoring in Theatre with a Musical Theatre concentration at Northwestern this fall.

Laura Christoff will be a Texas Tech Red Raider, majoring in Creative Media Industries and continuing to perform

Evellyn Hargrave was accepted into Booker T. Washington High School of the Performing Arts for the fall. She was also chosen to sing with the WorldStrides Middle School Honor Choir at Carnegie Hall in June.

Michael Hasty appeared in “Shrek” and in “Newsies” at Casa Manana

Tori Smith continues to tour nationwide with her band, Good Morning Bedlam. Look them up - great folk/Americana with gorgeous harmonies & lots of energy.

Aden Black, Vocal Performance major at SMU, spent time in Italy this summer, delving more deeply into her opera studies.

Delany Gebhart is plaed “Janet Vandergraff” in The Hopeful Theatre Project’s “The Drowsy Chaperone.”

Michelle “Shelbie Mac” McElree played the title role in “Mary Poppins” at Artisan Center Theatre.

Zoey Barnes was one of 24 performers chosen nationwide to attend the prestigious Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival Summer Musical Theatre Intensive

More details to follow!

Wilkerson Voice And Acting Studio - Information and Policies

John and Margaret Shafer Wilkerson's critically acclaimed Broadway, touring, regional and concert performance background, coupled with their decades of successful teaching experiences, make them uniquely qualified to guide individuals to reach their maximum potential. They understand the physical, mental and emotional challenges of the performing artist. John holds a Bachelor of Music from Shenandoah Conservatory and completed his graduate work in Vocal Performance at SUNY-Fredonia. He studied acting and directing with Paul Iddings, Behrend College, Penn State. Margaret's formal vocal studies were with Fredna Grimland, Virginia Botkin (UNT,) Anne Jackson and Carmel Harris (NYC.) Her most edifying acting studies came from working with great actors. She was a history major/sociology minor...hence, her oft-repeated refrain, "Do the research!"

Next generation, Shafer Wilkerson, is a singer/songwriter/studio musician/producer and educator. He is skilled in all styles, particularly effective in teaching pop/rock. Having played keyboards, provided vocals and written lyrics and music for many artists.  He has performed solo at venues throughout Texas and Oklahoma, in all styles - rock, pop, alternative, country, and more. Musical theatre roles include Roger in Rent, the Phantom in Kopit/Yeston's Phantom, The Beast in Beauty and the Beast, Pat in State Fair (2x) Joey Primo in Rock of Ages and Rolf in The Sound of Music. He received a Column Award for his performance in State Fair and his performances have all been critically praised. Wilkerson is sensitive to student competition, as he was in the Texas All State Choir as a high school student and placed 3rd in the NATS competition (Texoma region - TX, OK, AZ) as a freshman vocal performance major at Baylor University, as a student of Dr. Curtis Streetman, bass, whose exciting and rich interpretive gifts have been presented in some of the world's major concert halls and opera houses. As a musical theatre major at University of Central Oklahoma, Shafer was honored to be chosen to play the lead in the opera program's production of The Ballad of Baby Doe, and also placed 2nd in NATS competition, as a student of the renowned Dr. Marilyn Govich. He also served as a worship leader and youth minister for two years, and 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.

The Wilkerson's firmly believe one needs a strong foundation in proven technique, regardless of the type of music one sings. Instruction is customized and built upon an understanding and application of healthy sound production. Students have different goals and gifts, and all kinds of music are worthwhile. Plan to work hard, have fun, and see results! Students have found personal and professional fulfillment through various arts outlets- live performance, recording, directing, teaching, administration, etc. They have been accepted into prestigious programs and chosen Belmont, Cincinnati Conservatory, Oklahoma City University, Boston Conservatory, Edinburgh, Ithaca, SMU, Rutgers, Baylor, Duke, Montclair, Otterbein, Missouri State, Tulane, Baldwin Wallace, Wyoming, University of Central Oklahoma, UT - Austin, Webster and more!

Margaret and John also offer private acting studies and coaching. 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. Tuition/attendance policies below

Master Classes/Workshops/Camps

Book a master class or workshop for your school (any grade level, first through college) or organization. Contact us regarding an existing course, or one tailor-made specifically for your group. Topics have included: Auditioning for Musical Theatre, Advanced Musical Scene Study, Acting "Methods" - what works for you? Musical Theatre History (can be very broad, or more specific in focus,) The Business of “The Business,” School and Job Opportunities in the Arts, and Our Lives as Performers

 Wilkerson Studio Policies

The vocal approach is classic 'bel canto' - beautiful, supported, relaxed. Proper breathing/posture/technique is paramount, as one must have a good foundation, structurally, to do what one wants to achieve artistically. Learn to be the master of one's voice (not the other way around.) Ideally, singing should be, in many ways, as natural as speaking, and the two disciplines have much overlap. We have a great time teaching and want to make it fun and fulfilling for our students. Material fits the student’s capabilities, as we advance with exercises to strengthen technique, range, build repertoire as ability improves, deepen understanding of material and polish for performance.

Lessons are $75 an hour. Standard scheduling is a one-hour lesson once a week. Single lessons (or short-term packages for coaching purposes,) $100 hr.

Full tuition for the entire month is due the first week of the month. Please note that there are months in which a fifth lesson falls, so payment must be made accordingly. If you cannot attend a scheduled lesson, inform us as soon as possible. Contacting us to set up a make-up time is up to the student/parent.

Tuition is paid for the month, regardless of attendance, similar to dance studios and college classes. It covers not only the lessons, but planning, research, correspondence (students/parents and others on their behalf,) scheduling, copies and administrative work. There are no refunds, but we do offer make-up lessons in case of illness or an unavoidable event. It is not always easy to find a convenient time, so every effort should be made to attend regularly. Progress is made through regular attendance, continuously increasing knowledge, ability, and muscle memory to wipe out bad habits, learn good habits and prevent backsliding.

Our studio is a business and the way we make our living. We certainly empathize with the "busy-ness" of daily life, as we experience it ourselves. Thanks for understanding the need to operate in a structured fashion to ensure that things go smoothly and thank you for sharing this part of your lives with us.

Contact : Business phone 469-522-0766 or Email johnb.wilkerson@sbcglobal.net or talltexgirl@yahoo.com