TESTIMONIALS

Want to make sure that Release Your Inner American is right for you? Welp, here's some pretty cool peeps who have a lot to say about Barb and the RYIA program. Dive in, and feel free to question us at any time!

Jing Xuan Chan

I've been a long time admirer of Barb as a performer but recently approached her for US accent coaching in preparation for an upcoming role. Barb's help has given me a deeper level of confidence and authenticity in dealing with the specifics and subtleties of this accent. She is such a warm, encouraging, generous teacher and her sessions are so much fun! Anyone wishing to master a US accent would benefit from a class with Barb. I can't wait for my next session!

Sheree Della Costa Zellner

"Barbara Hastings has been my US accent coach and also my Italian accent coach now for the past 12 months or so. Over the many years I’ve been an actor, I’ve studied with various accent coaches, but none as fun and exacting as Barbara. The difference is that Barbara is not only able to drill you on the pronunciation, sounds, placement etc, but also on the intonation of any scripted dialogue, emphasis on certain words to ensure you sound like a native speaker and to generally make speaking with an American accent fluid and natural. She’s also a master at teaching and explaining that pesky ‘schwa’ sound! Most of all, Barbara makes the hard work fun, we laugh a lot in our lessons. Barbara Hastings is an American Accent coach extraordinaire, highly recommend!" Sheree Zellner (Da Costa), ex-Principal dancer with The Australian Ballet and former featured artist with Sydney Dance Co. She is also an experienced actress and singer with credits in TV, Film and Theatre. Sheree will rejoin the Sydney Dance Co as a featured guest artist in Nov 2019 for their 50th Anniversary season. Music theatre includes La Cage Aux Folles, Singin In The Rain, Song and Dance, Dancin Man. Additionally Sheree was assistant choreographer on Baz Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge with Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor. Recent short film credits include multi award-winning The Skydiver and The Scarecrow directed by Ren Thackham, The Hemingway Shot for EP Flicks, House Guests for Tori Savage, Dave and Theo for Granny Flat Pictures and Aussie Of The Year for Pepperdine University USA. Stage work for 2018 includes critically-acclaimed play One Way Mirror, by Paul Gillespie for Subtlenuance Theatre.

Anthonly Brandon Wong.

Having participated in one of Barbara Hastings' excellent US accent classes, I can highly recommend her as a teacher who combines fun, support, specificity, laughter, improvising in US accent, and great knowledge about dialect to create a thoroughly enjoyable learning experience. Release Your Inner American and land those US roles!

Shiva Chandra

I got exactly what I was looking for when I signed up for Barb's classes. A practical approach, that when i recorded myself could hear the accent get better even after I finished my time with her. Also, encouraging us to fall flat on our faces during classes and find the answers ourselves was a priceless aspect of her teaching that goes beyond the accent.

Amanda Hedges

Amanda is a delightful, emerging actress, with a stunningly authentic American accent. She has worked hard, and is really for the US market. Here is what she had to say: 'I enjoyed every minute of my lessons with Barbara. She creates such a warm, safe and fun learning environment where I felt no fear to make mistakes. She really understands the varying approaches that work for different students and is always sure to tailor her style to different needs. After the course I felt so much more confident in my accent as well as in myself as an actor. I would highly recommend Barbara for any actor looking for an honest, kind and talented teacher. Thank you Barbara for your infectious energy and enthusiasm - it is unparalleled.'

Amanda Hedges is a young actress based in Sydney, Australia. She is soon to appear in the virtual reality film and video game ‘Dream Channel’ which gained support from Sony at the Cannes Film Festival. In addition it has been recently announced that she will be playing ‘Emma’ in the new TV/web series ‘Dingos’ to be filmed in Australia. Amanda plans on making the move to Los Angeles to pursue further opportunities in the US market.

Amelia Green

I first came to Barbara with what I thought was a good American accent, I signed up to the Level 1 course to get a professional’s assessment and to see if there was anything I was missing. She very quickly told me that I was more suited to her level 2 course however, the level 1 course ended up being very much worth my time.
Because of the small class sizes, Barbara has an opportunity to cater to each individual’s suited learning style and because of her focused attention, there was no problem in having people of varying skill levels in the one class. Even when one person needed special focus, it didn’t feel like the others were being short-changed. Every moment felt like well-worth learning, even when it was something we had a handle on, hearing someone else struggle with something and hearing the way Barb would break it down for them, gave a fuller understanding of the correct pronunciation.
The way that Barbara describes the American sounds and physical motions is very enlightening. This is where your strong foundation for American comes in. However, Barbara expands on this with her focus on authenticity, where she looks at things culturally and brings in the embodiment of the character. All of this is necessary to sounding like a truly authentic American.
I am very pleased to say that I now have that authentic general American accent thanks to Barb. I went on to do her level 2 course (which is like the level 1 course but more advanced with a stronger focus on your particular personal American difficulties) and private lessons where Barb and I have explored different regional American accents. I now have such confidence in my American, with no doubts in my abilities whatsoever.
Aside from all that technical information, Barb is a truly wonderful teacher, who fully believes in all her students. She is a cheerleader for your growth in learning and career, and she brings such joy and humour to her classes that makes for a very good time. Undoubtedly, I would recommend Barbara for anybody who is serious about taking their American to the next, authentic, level.

Leigh Smith

‘Not only am I blessed to call Barbara my American Accent Coach for which she can not be compared to any one else, I am also fortunate enough to call her a friend and one of the biggest supporters of my career. Through my time coaching with Barbara my accent is at a level now where I am recognized as American when I am in the United States. For an Australian actor this is once of the biggest compliments to the teaching and direction of Barbara and her skills. Thank you for your never ending love and support - Leigh Smith (Actor) Not only am I blessed to call Barbara my American Accent Coach for which she can not be compared to any one else, I am also fortunate enough to call her a friend and one of the biggest supporters of my career. Through my time coaching with Barbara my accent is at a level now where I am recognized as American when I am in the United States. For an Australian actor this is once of the biggest compliments to the teaching and direction of Barbara and her skills. Thank you for your never ending love and support.’

Melissa Brattoni

'I first met and worked with Barbara during my full time acting course at TAFTA a few years ago. I found her method of teaching along with her own experience of being an American truly beneficial in my learning; I recently completed her Level 2 American Accent Course and loved it! Barbara has a knack for utilizing various techniques to acquire an authentic sound and way of speaking. Working on a variety of scenes, as well as performing them, was fun and, with her direction, made me break new territory for me in my accent and acting. I particularly enjoyed cold reading in the American accent, as it was challenging and a great way to get out of overthinking it. I highly recommend anyone seeking an American Accent Coach to work with Barbara!''

Melissa Brattoni is an actress from Sydney, Australia. Her most notable work includes two smartphone films; Meshes of an Autumn Afternoon and In My Mind written, directed and starring herself, in collaboration with her partner and visual effects artist Michael Koorey. She has worked on numerous short films including The Life of Baldrick, Swipe Left, Hold the Pineapple and featured in the Skit Box video The UTI Dance. Her primary acting training was completed at The Australian Film and Television Academy (TAFTA) and The National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) Open Program.

Priscilla Castel

'Barbara is my favourite accent coach because she gives you feedback how to improve, and creates a positive environment to muck up e.g. fail forward).

I love learning with Barbara as I always look forward to our sessions together, I have seen great results with myself compared to when I first started as I used to find it super difficult.

I highly suggest other actors to learn from her as she can help you achieve your authentic American accent.' Priscilla Castel.

Jodie Dalbon

“I would love to begin with what an absolute pleasure it has been to work with Barbara so far on this amazing creative journey. I was recommended to Barbara from one of my great friends and teachers, Leigh Smith. I was so nervous to start American but knew it was something I had to do and have always wanted to do. Instantly Barbara made me feel so comfortable and safe and has been nothing but friendly, professional and an absolute dream to work with. As hard as it may be to learn a different accent; Barbara always made it fun and encouraged me to do my best and work harder every week.
She is very knowledgeable when it comes to teaching different sounds, rhythms and linking and most importantly she teaches you to be real and to me that’s so invaluable.
. . . I could not recommend her enough to friends and family. “
Jodie Dal Bon trained at TAFE Western Sydney Institute, Anthony Brandon Wong Workshop, and The Hills Drama School

Nat Buchanan

“Barbara Hastings dialect course is unquestionably the most beneficial coaching I have ever undertaken as an actor. For the first time after completing a course, I could see measurable improvement, and could now consciously prepare and deliver scenes within closer reach of authenticity. I was no longer taking a big ‘ol stab in the dark/audition room but had armed myself with the tools necessary to compete in the American market.

I came to Barb with a DIY accent I’d concocted from years of listening and mimicking American dramas. This might have given me some sort of platform to work from but it also meant I had to unlearn some things. A few things struck me about the course which I attribute to its effectiveness:
1. The course is online. It’s so convenient it hurts. I initially thought the online factor might be disorientating or alienating but in fact it was the opposite. I felt close to my peers and incredibly focused for the 3 hours we had together.
2. Most acting-related courses involve a considerable amount of time being idle, watching others perform due to the amount of students. This course allows for a maximum of 4 students, which inherently enabled greater time for individual development and feedback.
3. Barb's coaching is incredibly individual, honest and precise. Everyone is given different things to work on instead of a one-size-fits-all approach to teaching. Most helpful is Barb’s ability to identify the best way an individual learns and adjust her delivery to suit. I learnt to break down the accent phonetically which I can say has changed my script preparation and sound profoundly.
4. Lastly, it’s just FUN. Plain and simple. Barb is a hoot and will have you laughing through the pain of tongue-twisting vowels.
I highly recommend this course for actors at all levels, who are serious about mastering an authentic American accent.
--Nat Buchanan (Ryan Hall Mgt)

Copper Hall

My 15 year old son took Barbara's class earlier in the year. He just submitted a slate in a US accent for a US TV series and from that was asked to audition. There is no way this would have happened without taking Barbara's course.

Cathy Whittaker

'When I was first looking for an American accent coach there was only one name that I continued to have recommended to me - Barbara Hastings - and it's because she really is the best. I recently studied General American with Barbara as part of her first online course. The group was kept small to ensure that everyone was given time to practice and work on individual challenges. Barbara immediately makes you comfortable and is both constructive and approachable. I saw a significant leap in the authenticity of my accent at the end of the course. So thank you Barbara for your patience, knowledge and contagious energy. I'm really looking forward to working with her again.'
Cathy is originally from Melbourne. Her theatre credits include 'The Singularity', ‘Strangers Make the Best Candy’, the musical adaptation of 'Jude the Obscure' and ‘The Legend of Beowulf – The Musical’. Cathy recently flexed her American accent muscles in her up role as Felicia in Brighton Theatre Company's production of 'I Hate Hamlet".

Stephen Walker

Barbara has been my accent coach for a few years now. She is incredible: her technique and approach really works! Plus, her reputation is so good, she works on set as a US accent coach. She is a fabulous person and an amazing actor as well. If you want to get on (or stay on) this US production ride, work with Barbara from Santa Barbara!

Liz Lin

“I came to Barb with a self-taught US accent from my years growing up watching US network shows. Barb was able to immediately point out areas which needed work and gave me all the tools I needed. Through Barb’s individual, detailed, and honest coaching, I was able to feel more confident speaking in a US accent and had so much fun in the process. I learnt so much about phonetics, rhythms, linking and reduction - all things that were new to me and knowledge that was very empowering in my process of mastering the US accent and sounding authentic. Barb is a very knowledgeable and experienced teacher who will help you sound like an authentic American and give you lots of laughs and encouragement along the way. I recommend her to anyone who’s looking to learn or sharpen their accent!”