Private Instruction
Wiremill Academy is proud to offer private instruction in voice, acting, and dance.
Education in the arts has a lasting impact on success, and spills over into all aspects of life. Studying privately allows a student to take those skills to a deeper level. Private lessons require practice, dedication, and memorization. As students progress through private lessons they develop healthy techniques, study habits, and confidence. Private lessons provide a safe space to address a student’s individual challenges, fine tune their skills, and to build confidence within a student to be themselves in front of an audience, in an interview or presentation in the real world. Private lessons are not only about improving one's singing, piano or acting ability, but about teaching students how to approach the world as educated, confident young adults.
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR INFORMATION ABOUT OUR PRIVATE INSTRUCTION
The Small Print
Registering for private training in any discipline indicates a serious level of interest. We commend you for your passion, dedication and courage! We are eager to work with you! Finding the right teacher for an individual is crucial to a student’s progress. It is this healthy student/teacher relationship that forms the foundation for a student’s growth. It is never a good idea for a student to study with multiple voice teachers simultaneously as it often comes with conflicting techniques and a confused student. Wiremill Academy teachers will only work with students on an exclusive basis. To see maximum improvement, it is advised that students practice between 15 minutes – 1 hour per day – 5 days per week depending on their level and seriousness. Good practice is akin to saving money: 10 or 20 minutes per day is better than cramming 2 hours on one day and not practicing the rest of the week.
SCHEDULING
Voice lessons are scheduled in 30, 45 or 60 minute slots. Please be on time for your lesson as our teachers schedule back-to-back. If you arrive 10 minutes late, your lesson will still conclude at the regularly scheduled time.
WHAT TO BRING
Each teacher may have specific instructions as to what you should bring to your lesson, but in general you should always have:
Music that you are currently studying in a 3-ring binder (preferably in plastic sleeves)
A water bottle
MAKEUP LESSONS
A total of ONE PRIVATE MAKE-UP LESSON will be given per semester. We request that you provide 24 hours advance notice of the missed lesson. We understand that this is unavoidable at times, and every student is entitled to one make-up private lesson per semester due to student unavailability, scheduling issues (family events, rehearsals, tech week, etc), or illness. These makeup classes may not be carried over into a subsequent semester. A makeup class which is canceled or missed by a student will be considered made-up. If make-up lessons are offered by Wiremill Academy instructors twice and refused, the lesson will be considered made-up. Lessons canceled due to inclement weather or teacher unavailability will be made up during the semester at a mutually agreed upon time, or at the end of the term. There will be no make up lessons for group classes.
REFUNDS
Private lessons are considered to be on a full term basis. If a student withdraws from a private lesson slot PRIOR TO TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF THE TERM, a full refund will be given (less the $35 registration fee). If a student withdraws LESS THAN TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FIRST DAY OF THE TERM, there will be NO REFUND OR CREDIT for tuition paid. Students delinquent in tuition will not be allowed into class. Any refund/s from payments processed online via credit card will be charged the credit card fee.
Private Vocal Lessons
Private Vocal Lessons with Mary Jo Duffy:
Ages 10 - 80
(Voice lessons are scheduled on the 13 week semester basis. Students choose a specific day and time for their lesson and that remains throughout the semester. To schedule private voice lessons, email us directly at info@wiremillacademy.com, or call us at the studio (203) 544-9494
Tuition: Private Lessons
1/2 hour lesson: $910.00
45 minute lesson: $1170.00
60 minute lesson: $1430.00
One on one private instruction teaching basic vocal pedagogy (proper breathing techniques and placement), while also focusing on discipline, commitment and building repertoire. Good singing is a synthesis of healthy pedagogy, acting skills, and the vital spark of the individual. Each person learns differently, therefore, we tailor the private lesson to the individual, building on their strengths and natural gifts.
ONE OFF Private Lessons/Audition Prep:
(outside the 13 week semester)
(We offer voice lessons on a one-off basis also. Students can sign up for a few lessons to prepare for a specific audition, or to investigate what studying privately is all about. We charge more - per lesson - for these)
Tuition: ONE OFF/SINGLE LESSONS
1/2 hour lesson: $75.00
45 min lesson: $110.00
60 min lesson: $125.00
Mary Jo Duffy discovered the joy of teaching and directing children after years of performing on Broadway, internationally, and in film and television before co-founding Wiremill Academy, a school for the performing arts in Georgetown, CT which offers private vocal training, classes in acting and musical theater, a college preparatory program as well as musical productions every spring, fall and summer. Mary Jo began her formal vocal training with Metropolitan Opera singer Mimi Lerner in Pittsburgh, PA, and went on to study with Lorenzo Malfattiand Margaret Ross at Chatham University as a Minna Kaufmann Ruud voice scholar. Mary Jo continued her vocal training after college with Beatrice Krebs at Carnegie-Mellon University before moving to New York City to pursue her career in theatre. Mary Jo played Liberty in Tom O’Horgan’s Senator Joe on Broadway, Magnolia, in the European tour of Showboat, and has spent years working in regional theatres across the country. Mary Jo worked with film director David Lynch at BAM and performed as a soloist in several Columbia Artists Concert tours. Ms. Duffy’s private voice students have been accepted into the competitive theatre and musical theatre programs at Northwestern University, New York University, Cincinnati Conservatory, Carnegie Mellon University, Baldwin Wallace, Michigan University, Elon, and Oberlin College to name a few. Mary Jo is thrilled to have Wiremill Academy to call home and always looks forward to directing the summer production each year for Wilton Children’s Theater, enjoying the collaboration of all the arts organizations in our town! Member AEA, SAG.
Private Audition Coaching
Private Coaching with Jorie Janeway:
Ages 6+
(Private Coaching is scheduled on the 13 week semester basis. Students choose a specific day and time for their lesson and that remains throughout the semester. To schedule private coaching, email us directly at info@wiremillacademy.com, or call us at the studio (203) 544-9494
Tuition: Private Lessons
1/2 hour lesson: $910.00
45 minute lesson: $1170.00
60 minute lesson: $1430.00
One on one private coaching on audition materials including songs, monologues and scenes, as well as valuable preparation for performances. With an emphasis on storytelling, coaching sessions work on acting, memorization, and movement technique. Each person learns differently, therefore, we tailor the private lesson to the individual, building on their strengths and natural gifts.
*Coaching sessions may be in person or over zoom.
ONE OFF Private Coachings:
(outside the 13 week semester)
(We offer voice lessons on a one-off basis also. Students can sign up for a few lessons to prepare for a specific audition, or to investigate what studying privately is all about. We charge more - per lesson - for these)
Tuition: ONE OFF/SINGLE COACHINGS
1/2 hour lesson: $75.00
45 min lesson: $110.00
60 min lesson: $125.00
Jorie Janeway is a musical theatre performer with a heart for teaching. As a performer, Jorie has worked in regional houses, toured nationally and internationally, and performed overseas and on cruise ships. As a teacher, Jorie has had the opportunity to instruct, choreograph, and direct kids and adults of all ages. Favorite performance credits include: Female Authority Figure (Hairspray National Tour and Royal Caribbean), Mrs. Gloop (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Global Tour), Chaperone (The Drowsy Chaperone), Maggie Jones (42nd Street), Adelaide (Guys and Dolls), Fairy Godmother (Shrek). Favorite Directing and Choreography credits include: Matilda, The Music Man, Mary Poppins, Beauty and The Beast (Encore Theatre Group), The Marvelous Wonderettes (The Prizery), The Drowsy Chaperone, Annie Get Your Gun (Post Playhouse), Shrek (Mill Mountain Theatre), Annie, 101 Dalmatians, The Wizard of Oz (Wiremill Academy) as well as numerous productions at high schools and middle schools in the area over the years. Please visit www.joriejaneway.com for more info!

