Lauren Meltsner, actress
2006 Haralson Voice Acheivement Award Recipient
"Wickham Vocal Studios and the Performers Career Center is a place unlike no other - right off the batt, you are shown the unconditional belief that as an artist you can acheive anything, no matter where you're starting from.

To me, WVS and PCC's philosophy is that success is where preparation and opportunity meet. Even in college, I never experienced the type of dedication that I experienced with Patrick Wickham. While I don't see him as much as I would like to these days - because of the years that I had seen him consistantly, his voice is always in the back of my head, coaching me to be positive and press on. The school has altered my beliefs in that no matter how many times someone can drill a "Method" in to your head, if you don't figure out what your edge is, and learn how to own it by preparing yourself properly, doors won't open for you. PCC and WVS has given me the tools where I know how to put music together for an audition, taught me HOW to audition, and tought me how to make those experiences be effective for who I am and what I'm good at. Before I attended WVS and PCC, I would just sing what other people would give to me because THEY thought it was right for me - WVS and PCC gave ME the power to decide and put me in control of my career.

As a singer, I am stronger and so much more knowlegable. I am totally aware of where every note physically lives in my body - and I know how to use my voice to belt any note. Before I studied with Patrick I was damaging my voice, now I can sing anything from Opera to Rock. In addition I also had an issue with having a light switch effect - I would get to a certain note in my voice where if I were singing a scale, everytime I would get to one certain note, the transition upward or down would be very rocky and my voice would literally switch off. I no longer have that issue. Patrick tought me how to achieve an even tone, and while it took time, now - every note I sing is as strong as the next.

Since I started studying with WVS/PCC, I have received opportunities that you would only find in a university - I've been granted work study opportunities and won 2 scholarships to study there. This is rare in the NYC Vocal Teaching scene. When I was cast as Veronica in Bellevue Sketches, it was a huge turning point in my career - since then I have performed in 7 (now going on 8)  productions of both Musical Theatre and other types of productions. I am continuing to get work, and truly believe that WVS was the facilitator in helping me open those doors.