Book a Lesson with Jessi!
Jessi is the co-founder of Professional Performance Prep at The Prep NJ.
"You helped me find the real me... I couldn't have done it without you"
She teaches the following lessons:
~ Male & Female Voice (All Levels and Styles)
~Acting
~Audition Prep
~Voice Overs
Jessi's Teaching Philosophy: "I believe in teaching a balanced and dynamic curriculum that includes age-appropriate music theory, proper technique, and diverse musical styles tailored to each student."
Contact Jessi to schedule your first lesson!
Student Credits & Reviews
Jessi’s students’ professional credits include Broadway’s Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Young Harry); Off Broadway’s Match Girl (The Little Match Girl) BAM’s workshop of Medea (Edward); NYSAF’s reading of Galileo (Young Vincenzo) and West Side Story Tokyo (Shark). Some of Jessi’s students’ regional credits include Sound of Music (Gretl); Matilda (Lavender); Shrek (Young Fiona); Mamma Mia (Ensemble); BodyGuard (Ensemble); and Chicago (Ensemble) as well as numerous short/feature films; commercials, and voice overs including a new animated PBS series. Jessi's most recent College Prep students were accepted to NYU Tisch, Emerson, PACE, Shenandoah Conservatory, Point Park, Ohio University and LIU. Her Agent Audition Prep students have signed with CESD Talent Agency, SW Artists Agency, Stewart Talent, Carson/Adler, Clear Talent, Take3 Talent with Jason Bercy, and Green Room Management.
Jessi believes that technique is the “foundation of vocal health, stability, and growth and should be first and foremost in our development.” Jessi currently works closely with NYC’s top vocal teacher, Michael Jacobs, to further develop her advanced technical approach consisting of breathing, stretches, tension release, and placement. The ultimate goal for us as singers is to stop thinking about every step while singing because the foundation is completely reliable. If we trust the process, amazing transformations can happen!
Here are a few quotes from Jessi’s students and their parents.
“My son has been taking private vocal/acting lessons with Jessi for a year now. Jessi helped my son to clarify his goals and created attainable steps for him to work towards. I am confident my son now has the skills in place to succeed as he starts his run on Broadway! She has taught him healthy vocal techniques and has helped bring his acting to a whole new level. She encourages hard work and dedication from her students. Jessi has a wealth of knowledge and shares her passion with her students with such patience and kindness. I look forward to the lessons each week as I continue to watch my son grow as a performer and vocalist. Working with Jessi has been a gift! I highly recommend Jessi to anyone looking to improve their performance and who needs help navigating the entertainment industry!”
“Cannot say enough AMAZING things about Jess. She is so kind, extremely invested in her students, and she continuously goes above and beyond. My son adores her, and she pushes him to be the best actor he can be. She has taught him so much. Jess has also been very instrumental in helping us navigate through the industry. Thanks to her, my son is signed with one of the best agencies in NYC. We are so thankful for her knowledge and genuine interest in his career”
“Jessi is an amazing acting and singing coach. She really focuses on proper breathing and vocal techniques. She is able to prepare my daughter for any role whether it is theater, television, or film. My daughter has gained so much confidence since taking lessons with Jessi. She looks forward to her lessons every week. Jessi is extremely accommodating and always makes time for emergency prep when needed. We are blessed to have her in our life.”
“With a keen eye and unending patience, Jessi Clayton saw the actor inside my daughter and like a sculptor, she quickly pulled that vision into reality. An expert in her field, passionate, patient, precise. Personal attention is always given any time needed, All I had to do was ask. Jessi is more than a voice and acting teacher. She is a coach always guiding me in so many aspects of my life as a young actor’s mom, from resume updating, prepping, reels, self-tapes and more. Jessi sees my daughter’s potential, and that is rewarding as a parent. Working with Jessi and The Prep has been one of the most wonderful and life changing decisions we have done for our daughter. Our daughter Aisling is having the best life ever with the you and The Prep family. You have taken Aisling from a child interested in Acting, to a complete professional actor starring in her first professional job off Broadway as “The Little Match Girl”. All because you believed and shared all your amazing talent with her.
"You helped me find the real me as an actor. I couldn't have done it without you. Thank you for helping me to remember that in voice / acting, as in the rest of my life, I have to trust myself, and you always leave me feeling great about myself and my talent.”