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Zoe Jakes, internationally renowned dancer and composer with Beats Antique

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Testimonials

Darwin Shaw, TV and Film Actor
Casino Royale, Homeland, The Bible

"It’s a very powerless situation to be an actor waiting for people to get back to you and it can be stressful, but with this work we’ve been doing I feel more relaxed.

 

And now I’ve stepped up and started putting myself out there, doing those things that used to be uncomfortable."

 

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Alena Savostikova, TV and Film Actor
The Mindy Project, This Is Us, Westworld, The Great Guys

"Working with Holly, I realized that it's all connected. Your work, your self-esteem and your personal life. Now, I walk into the room and let my presence speak for itself. I let go of the anxieties that were holding me back. I trust my craft now. It's the best feeling in the world - trusting yourself.

The biggest game-changer for me was realizing I already have what it takes inside of me, I just need to trust myself. It all comes from within!"

"Holly has helped me to break through my performance plateau and be more vulnerable as an artist."

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Zoe Jakes, Internationally Renowned Dancer
Beats Antique, Bellydance Superstars

Frank Garcia-Hejl, Writer, Actor, Director
Upright Citizen's Brigade, First Impressions with Dana Carvey, CBS Showcase, Comedy Central's Comics to Watch 2015

"You give such fantastic advice. Taking your class was so helpful for me because I had just gotten out of cancer treatments at that time and I was so in my head about returning back because my hair was growing back . . .. I just felt off. And I just needed to get over those yips and gain my self-confidence back. And taking your class helped me with a lot of things, even outside of that, breathing, being in the moment. Your guidance really helped me out."

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Debra Greene, Writer & Comedian

"I wrote more. Thought about what being a comic is in a different way. Found a bit more about my "voice" as a performer.

 

Holly helps you reach for the best in yourself and the best in each other and creates a very supportive container. Holly is very kind. She is a good listener. She is fair. Very organized with material given to work on. Excellent follow up emails to review what happened in the classes."

Bill Ruha, Comedian Writer
1st Place Winner of the 2021 Comedy Edge Joke Contest

"I've generated more material than I ever have and I've definitely built my confidence as a performer. 

 

Professionally, this has made me more comfortable presenting work via Zoom to my colleagues. Personally, this has been a fun and rewarding creative adventure that has brought some much needed fun and relief during the quarantine.

I got insightful feedback and learned more about the identity I project towards others.

Holly helped me realize that creating and writing is actually less difficult than I'd thought. I've learned to let go of some of my self-criticism and to adapt quickly. Those things have been a huge boost for me."

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Vida Felsenfeld, Dancer and Poet

"Thank You Holly for everything you've done for me. You witnessed the most vulnerable side of me these last four weeks, our work together is some of the most profound work I've ever done with anybody, seriously. I want to continue to work with you, you are simply amazing grace."

Thom Fowler, Writer, Humorist

"I'm more conscious now of how I'm interacting with others. I am incorporating more of the theatrical methods in my every day interactions. I am rekindling the joy of play with others (whether they know I'm playing or not.) I am also more focused on how I am giving other people an experience of me.

Holly is knowledgable. Skillful at holding and managing the space for development. Having an organized curriculum. Building skills and awareness in a way that continues to complement and amplify them.

Through working with her I was able to learn solid tools and methods."

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Cera Byer, L.A. Dancer and Choreographer

"Holly showed up at exactly the right time for me. I was feeling stuck. I was in a big transition in my dance life. I was starting a new company after a several year hiatus from directing. I was changing artistic directions. I was scared. I was unsure of myself.

 

Working with Holly brought a lot of clarity to my process, but it also helped me build a lot of certainty in myself, in my vision, and in what I have to offer.

 

Since we completed our program there have been other times when I've needed support and Holly has been right there. Follow up sessions and conversations with her always make me feel more confident, more sure, and more clear on what I want and how to proceed.

 

Holly is a tremendous coach and I highly recommend her to anyone who needs to break down some internal barriers and expand themselves and their art.

Things I've Helped Other Creative Professionals with

Having spent over twenty years performing and producing work, studying healing arts, and working hands-on with many artists, I'm uniquely qualified to recognize and coax out the best artist inside of you.  Throughout many years of helping artists, I've become an expert at helping you in the following areas:

  • Overcoming stage fright and learning how to use this energy in order to become a magnetic and riveting performer in the process

  • Busting through creative blocks, dispelling fears so you can move from frozen to focused

  • Refining and mastering your creative work so that it not only pops with "you-ness" but it also becomes a magnet to your fans, followers, producers, and collaborators

  • Learning to maintain balance as a creatively minded and highly sensitive artist magnified by challenges of high visibility and high pressures that come with life in show business and entertainment 

  • Breaking negative habits or building new habits so you can establish patterns conducive to a sustainable creative life and practice

  • Managing anxiety, stress, and phobias

  • Dispelling your feelings of Impostor Syndrome so you can rise to the new opportunities that your career invariably throws at you as you reach new levels of success

More Success Stories

Kari Hall, Actor

"I have so much feeling of well being today! After I session yesterday, I started and finished my actors website!! This has been on my list for years!! lol I feel super connected to my comedy channel even as I type this, I'm so grateful for you!!"

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Dan Cantrell, Composer

"I feel that I have a lot of great material to work with now!  I found the hypnosis very beneficial.  The creative experiments in the group workshops were wonderful.  It was fantastic to be part of such a dynamic group, and to have the accountability that comes with that relationship.   I was really drawn to the discussions, learning new theories and ideas in the field of creativity and the performing arts."

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Who This Is For

I've worked with hundreds of artists at this point, some of them professional Emmy award winning and Grammy nominated and others that are dedicated and talented, but not yet discovered.  My favorite person to work with is one for whom which making art or performing is not a choice, but a passion that they are driven to seriously pursue.

 

I've worked with all of the following types of performing artists and creatives:

  • Musicians

  • Dancers

  • Composers

  • Singer-songwriters

  • Actors (Film, Theatre, and Voiceover Artists)

  • Creative Facilitators, Teachers & Directors

  • Choreographers

  • Bands

  • People from every profession dealing with stress, anxiety, phobias, bad habits or life transitions

Debra Haden, SAG Actor

"Recently, I attended a workshop about auditioning led by Holly Shaw. I cannot express the amount of momentum I have felt after practicing her Watermill technique. I even do it if I start to get nervous about something I am thinking about going after. Yesterday I had a burst of energy and have been putting myself out there for things that I wouldn't have previously. I feel like someone took the cap off of the faucet. I just had a private session with her and I am excited to report back with the results."

Miriam Peretz, International Dancer and Choreographer

"Even after choreographing for so many years, I still often find that I get stuck, and sometimes stunted in my creative process.  Several times I have called on help from Holly Shaw, who has been wonderful in helping me open up my creative channel and get me out of my box." 

Gail Corrado, Dancer, Instructor and Independent Business Owner

"Now, I have more direction. I have some clear goals and a plan for achieving them. I also have a roadmap to help me continue to explore my art."

Hannah Watson, Photographer & Fine Artist

" Holly has helped me redirect my negative mindset and discover new paths to take in my own discovery of creative fulfillment. It has been a dream working with her. . . "​

Diana Rowan, PhD, Harpist and Founder of Bright Knowledge Academy

"Holly Shaw lives what she teaches/coaches, manifesting an artistic life in interesting times and empowering others to do the same. Holly is always on top of the latest research regarding creativity and performance, and collaborates extensively with others in order to make her message even more relevant. As the founder of an arts center, I have seen Holly's work up close, and her constant care for her clients and students is striking. Holly creates opportunities for her clients to perform, bringing their work out into the real world. Her roster of clients ranges from big names to brand new artists. I strongly recommend Holly if you are looking to bring your creativity to a whole new level, and fast." 

Hannah Romanowsky, Choreographer and Founder of Danceversity

"Holly possesses the ability to take people on a journey that is very genuine.​"

Elizabeth Strong, International Dancer & Choreographer

"I have gained so very much from your program. I have felt held, and have expanded a great deal through [The Creative Formula]  principles you have walked us through. "  

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