Melanie Ferris

I currently teach in an independent girls' school, preparing students for examinations, auditions, and the life skills of confidence, communication and effective speaking that speech and drama lessons offer.
I also run drama workshops and ran Time for Drama for five years, teaching acting skills etc. (Weekends) I do exam work and teaching at Stagecoach Salisbury, and am an examiner for Vanguard Examinations.
I worked as an actress and stage manager in South Africa as well as teaching drama and preparing children for television and film roles. I also ran acting and confidence workshops for adults and models, and went into offices teaching communication skills for receptionists, telephonists etc.
I feel my strengths are the ability to engage with my students, create an atmosphere of enjoyment and relaxation and encourage and nurture talent and aptitude.
As a frequent director for a local amdram group I believe I am able to bring out the best regardless of experience.

Improve your Communication Skills, by developing a dynamic and flexible voice
If the spoken word is your tool, enhance your professionalism and image through techniques involving body language, stance, posture, voice production, facial expression, etc, which, once you have practised them, will do a great deal to increase your confidence, and project your personality. It is also a very good idea, if you are using your voice often and/or for long periods, to get training in how to use it properly, as serious damage can be done to the vocal cords through bad use.
Or maybe your knees are knocking at the thought of making a speech? Have you got to speak at a prize-giving, at the Golf Club dinner, a wedding or some other social event?