Student testimonials for film and TV acting coach Jacqui Kaese

Testimonials

Jacqui Kaese is a complete and total industry professional. She has worked with some of the industry's top talents and this shows in her masterful coaching technique. She has a solid hands-on efficient approach and truly knows what it is to tell a story while staying in the moment and letting the scene take a life of its own. Jacqui knows the language of actors very well and makes the process an enjoyable and efficient journey while keeping a tough but necessary pace of breakthroughs and progress in class. It's amazing to have a coach who knows intuitively what you need to focus on in order to take your craft to the next level and what blocks are specifically holding you back from doing so. She genuinely wants you to win and knows what it takes to achieve industry success as she has experienced it herself and knows the discipline and professionalism it takes to make it there. I'm grateful to have her as my coach and would highly recommend her without reservation to anybody looking to raise their acting game to the next level and having the tools and skills necessary to compete in today's rough and tough world of auditions.

Biff Bartlett

The teacher I have been consistently working with for three years is extremely similar to you. She's highly regarded in Vancouver and has a three month wait list. Before I had to leave, she told me what she wanted to work on when I returned. In the two classes I've had with you, you have highlighted and helped me recognise those specific things. So simply put, I find you to be far above par! Many teachers I've worked with dictate, whereas you collaborate. They seem to teach and nothing more. You really stand behind your students and personalise every exercise to challenge everyone individually regardless of difference or experience. Everyone excels and finds success. I'm actually going to try and see if I can stay longer before going back to Vancouver, because I am very excited to work with you and I feel that I can learn so much from you. You have a natural gift for coaching. As far as anything negative, I am truly at a loss, the only thing that comes to mind, is that too bad it's only once a week.

Travis Gow

Thank you so much Jacqui. For inspiring me to be whatever I want to be; encouraging me when I feel discouraged and not giving up on me. I know that teaching new students must be a challenge but I've appreciated every minute and I look forward to the future.

You've been, and continue to be, a true blessing to not only be but the rest of the class as well. I am so thankful for the opportunities you've given me.

You're such a beautiful person, inside and out. Thank you.

Much love,
Heather Harrison
XO

Jacqui has been a mentor and true friend. She has always been there for me and continues to inspire my individual journey.

Stef Lang
(Singer/Songwriter)

I always have lots of fun when I get coaching from Jacqui. Even though the work is hard sometimes, Jacqui makes it fun. She will always be a special part of my life and i will always be grateful to her.

Cameron Bright

Thank you very much for a fun, connected, and all-around amazing experience in your acting class. Your sparkle and your shine bring a calming ease to the classroom setting, which in turn brings comfort to those who attend. Through your logic and clarity you made it easy to grasp a firm understanding of the film industry, and what I need to do to prepare for auditions. When you coach on the classroom "mini set," all I need to do is close my eyes, breathe, listen to your words, and my body becomes completely relaxed and takes in the emotions and feelings.

Not only are you an amazing acting coach, but you are a dear friend and mentor. I consider you as my mom, because you are always there for me with a loving shoulder to cry on. Thank you very much .

Whitney Benson

I would like to thank you for coaching me on the Whisper set. I would like to do it again someday with you because you were a lot of fun. I liked sitting in the shade under the trees with you working on my lines. And remember how you got me to frown by thinking about the horrible fingernail clippers that I liked to hide from my mommy. Love and lots of hugs and squishes.

Erika-Shaye Gair

Jacqui Kaese has a magical touch that profoundly affects everyone fortunate enough to know her and be coached by her. My sons, Danny and Matthew Bristol, have taken acting classes with Jacqui for five years now. Jacqui has inspired and motivated them to pursue their dreams of acting and she has helped them to mature into confident and eloquent young men. They have had wonderful success with their acting and through Jacqui were able to secure one of the top Vancouver Talent Agents, Darren Boidman at Carrier Talent Management.

I cannot thank Jacqui enough for all that she has taught my sons. She is an amazing acting/life coach and also a wonderful friend.

Angie Bristol

Jacqui's coaching is a great place to start and meet good looking girls.

Justin Chatwin

Remember to enjoy your journey and have fun. It's a great place to begin.

John De Santis

Most of my root training began with Jacqui Kaese. She helped me get into the industry and find an agent.

Alejandro Abellan

I enjoyed every single minute i spent there.

Heather Mcewan

Just wanted to thank you for having me at your acting class. I felt excited as soon as I walked into the place. I love the way you conduct, teach and nurture your students in such an amazing way. You create an environment that feels both safe and challenging at the same time.

I think this will be very good for me to do. Not sure where it will take me or if I really even want to act, but I believe it will help me in every day life and interacting with people in general.

Fondly
Dianne Pennington

I have sat in literally hundreds of classrooms and presentations and I what I saw when I visited your class was brilliant. You were able to offer constructive criticism and at the same time give students encouraging, razor sharp insight to help them take one more step towards excellence. You were so fully present and engaged with everyone - it was awesome.

I'd love to study (anything!) under you sometime. I hope it works out.

Kind regards
Rod Kolke

We all look back on our past as we age, and I must say, there is always a person in everyone's life who inspires you. That person for me is Jacqui Kaese. I started taking acting classes with Jacqui at the young age of seven. I continued those classes for four years. For me, it wasn't all about landing a part, it was about spending the time with Jacqui learning to become a well rounded, confident person. Jacqui has given me the skills I need to pursue any dream. I chose to continue my dance career and musical theatre productions and I must say, "there is no greater feeling, than standing in front of a live audience to entertain. I have never forgotten where it all started and I thank you for that. Jacqui, thanks for giving me the skills to perform with confidence!!

YOU ROCK:)
Love
Heather Mathieson

I couldn't wait to e-mail you to tell you that I had the best acting class last night that I have ever had! Your coaching and energy are amazing and you truly direct me and push me in the right direction; somewhere I don't think I would go without you.

I watched my tape three times last night because I was so excited to see your comments again. And I have never had that many notes on my script, ever. After I got off camera with you I wrote them all down and they covered both pages! Thank you Jacqui. I got so much out of your class and I can't wait to come back next week!

Reghan Blake

Since 2002, we’ve had a close association with Jacqui Kaese. At four years old, our son Riley began working with Jacqui in her Tiny Tots program. This program focuses on building confidence and is an introduction to the film and television industry – but for him it was all about having fun!

After attending the program for several months, Jacqui felt he was ready to start going to auditions if that was something we were interested in pursuing. Riley could hardly wait to get started and he landed a principal role in a national US commercial on his second audition. At four years old he had learned how to focus on delivering a great audition and confidently demonstrate his abilities.

Since then Riley has performed in a number of film/video productions and most recently he’s been involved in live theatre. While he has always loved both, it has been difficult to go back and forth between the exaggerated emotion of theatre and subtleties of film. While he loved theatre, Riley has decided his passion is stronger for TV and film and is continuing his studies in this area. In preparation for work under the representation of Carrier Talent Management of Vancouver. He will be training alongside children who are series regulars which will be of tremendous benefit for him.

As parents, we have always had complete confidence that our son’s best interests were a priority with Jacqui and appreciate the value of having a resource of this calibre right here in Nanaimo.

Cathy and Bryan Orr

As Marketing Director for Rutherford Mall, I called upon Jacqui on many occasions to help co-ordinate special events such as our successful “Nanaimo Idol” event held at the Centre in the spring of 2006. Jacqui is a true professional, and never let us down, no matter how large or small the task. She a very skilled, special person and I wish her continued success.

Lynn Saunders

I just wanted to thank you for all the work you did with Erika-Shaye as her child coach on the set of Whisper. For me, as a mom on set, I was so thankful that we had you there. First of all you set me at ease as to the sensitive issue of dealing with characters that young children are needed to play but deal with subject matter not meant for them to view or even understand. You impressively were able to get expressions, feelings and dialogue from Erika-Shaye which were what the director needed. Yet, you were able to protect our six-year-old in a tender way. I was also impressed with the relationship you immediately built with Erika-Shaye. She knew upon meeting you that there was a task at hand and she could trust you to achieve it and she could comfortably discuss what was needed of her.

Moms don't always know their exact roles while accompanying their children on set. Once again, I learned so many valuable hints about my role. I was able to use these when there was no coach for her on the set of The Wicker Man. I am ever so grateful for that. In addition you have become a great resource to us as we continue in this field with our children. I sure hope that Erika-Shaye and my son, Luke, may someday be so fortunate to be on set again with you as their coach. You are just awesome!

Shannon Gair

Your instruction is pointed, clear and refreshingly frank. You provide clarity, logic and fairness which I believe is essential in this business. Your class setting allows her to learn from the instruction directed to her as well as to the whole class. The desire to act requires big energy. You work with those energies, making them smaller and bigger as needed. Your classes and teaching are not only wonderful but much needed, and we really look forward to them.

Betty Tyrchnitcz

I just thought I would let you know that I believe that you all are doing a great job with your up-and-coming actors and actresses. I have seen three of the movies now with Cameron Bright and I believe that he will be one of the better actors in the coming years. I am a big fan of the Darren Shan books and was reading one of his blogs where there was talk of bringing his Vampire stories to the big screen. I wrote to him suggesting he look at Cameron Bright as a possibility for the lead role as the young boy and half vampire Darren Shan. As I said before, 'keep up the good work.'

Don Kelley

My journey as an actor is far from over, and I'm happy I've chosen Jacqui to share this journey.

Kathy Villanen