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Erika Ackerman
Voice 3
Erika Ackerman is a Voice and Movement teacher and a Somatic therapist specializing in Fitzmaurice Voicework®, Somatic Experiencing®, and Shakespeare, based in New York City and Los Angeles. With over three decades of experience, Erika is more passionate than ever about working with artists through their bodies, voices, imaginations, and the interplay between them.
Education
Erika Ackerman grew up performing theater in the Berkshires, MA at Shakespeare and Company, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Berkshire Public Theatre, Mixed Company, and more. In 1991, she began assisting her long-time mentor, Karen Beaumont, a movement educator/therapist, and this partnership introduced Erika to the work of Dr. Martha Eddy and Trish Arnold. She went on to study voice at Boston Conservatory of Music and later earned certifications in Fitzmaurice Voicework®, Vocal Yoga Method®, and Five Elements Framework™. Erika is trained in Somatic Movement Therapy, Somatic Experiencing® and Brainspotting. A lifelong learner, Erika continues to train in all three modalities of voice, movement & somatic therapy.
Experience
Erika began acting professionally in 1985. She has taught at UC Santa Barbara , The Lee Strasberg Theater & Film Institute, and served as head of Voice at Anthony Meindl’s Actor Workshop. Erika maintains her private practice, Resonance, using a combination of Voice, Movement and Somatic Therapy. She works with actors, singers, writers, and other artists. Erika has collaborated and co-taught extensively with acting coach Victor Villar-Hauser and she regularly works as a voice and movement coach on TV and Film sets.
Philosophy
I believe my job as a teacher is to give my students permission, permission to be truly seen in all of their beauty, ugliness, strength, vulnerability, joy , rage and everything in between. I want to expand their humanity in every direction so that they may lend that humanity to their characters. I strive to create an environment where students feel safe to discover, or rediscover, parts of their talent in which they lack confidence. This encourages them listen , lead with their curiosity, follow their impulses, and surprise themselves in the best ways.
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
“I was placed in the intense reigns of Charlie Sandlan. I became a better artist, actor, friend, sibling and daughter because of the studio. Even now, I crave the studio every day. What I learned is present in my work every day. I truly believe in everything they stand for.”
Jes Macallan
“Maggie taught me that I could control my work, my acting, and to throw all of the bullshit out that I had in my head about ‘what I should be doing’ and to just listen and respond honestly, in the moment. She gave me a craft. She is, quite simply put, THE BEST.”
Leslie Bibb
“Maggie Flanigan taught me the true meaning of artistry, passion, and professionalism. I am certain that I continue to work as an actress because of my training with Maggie. At every audition and every performance, her guiding voice is with me. It is a gift beyond measure.”
