Instructors
Forrest Dream Studio provide the best art education resource with professional Hollywood teacher and faculty team.
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Acting Class
Lana Young
Lana is an actor, voiceover artist, director, and coach. She got a late start in acting after receiving her M.A. in Acting from the Arts Educational School London in her 30s, but now she is currently recurring as Dr. Mary Osder in Fox’s hospital drama The Resident. Her career work includes the recurring roles of Inez Trujillo in AMBITIONS (OWN), Dr. Lopes in Tell Me a Story (CBS All Access), Mrs. Douglas in The Vampire Diaries (CW), and many more. She believes that each actor is a unique being who learns in a certain way and thrives in a certain environment. She recognizes that every actor is different and she will take the time to learn how to best serve her students.
Lauren Velasco
Lauren Velasco is an American Actor, she has been trained at CSUF for 4 years, and she is known for Ghost of the Sad Clown (2010) and Gawkward (2014).
Other films she participated: Sorority, The Death, Pageant, Morning Solitude, A Vampire Tale.
Theatre experiences: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, KIng Lear, Blood of Mecbeth, The Tempest, A Chrismas Carol and more.
Andrea Gwynnel
Andrea Gwynnel is an accomplished actor, director and teacher who has performed all over the world. She has been working for 6 years at the Independent Shakespeare Co. For 5 years she was the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Chrysalis Stage where she produced, directed and dove into iconic roles. Andrea has worked as an on set Dialect Coach with Emmy and Oscar winning actors for both stage and screen. She’s been teaching Acting and Accent Reduction for 10 years at UCLA Extension and for 6 years was adjunct faculty for the Fullerton College Theater Arts Department where she taught acting, was the resident speech coach and directed several plays including the epic Cider House Rules Parts 1 and 2. Andrea received her MFA in Acting from the Professional Theatre Training Program at the University of Delaware and currently resides in Los Angeles.
Vocal Class
Soojin ivory
Soojin Ivory is an experienced singer and vocal teacher. She graduated from Dongduk Women’s University in music performance in Seoul, South Korea. She has released four single albums, one gospel band album and participated in one Original Sound Track album for a TV drama as well. Soojin has 6 years of teaching experience and 10 years of performance experience. Her teaching style varies based on the student’s goals and progress. Soojin is bilingual and can teach in both Korean and English.
Audition & Casting Class
Melissa Kirk
Melissa K is an award-winning actress, singer, and director, who is certified as one of the top instructors in the nation. She has won multiple Best Actress Awards from the Inland Theater League for plays such as the west coast premiere of, esteemed playwright, Charles Evered’s two-person play called “Class” and “Six Characters in Search of an Author.” She was featured at the Cannes Film Festival as a leading actress and has acquired quite a fan base in the video game world for her leading role in Machinima’s movie, “Left 4 Dead.” Along with acting, she won Best Female Artist and Best Female Performer with her band, “Black Velvet,” at the Independent Music Awards and two of her original songs, “Fight Fire” and “Magic” placed #3 on the Top 40 Mainstream Independent Music Charts.
Dance Class
Kristine Porfert
Kristine is a dancer from Riga, Latvia. She was trained in Hip Hop, Popping, House and Urban Choreography. She is familiar with Waacking, Vogue, Locking, Krump, Breaking, Jazz and Island Fusion dance. She is also a member of a professional dance company – Culture Shock San Diego. She has won the 2nd place of World of Dance Lithuania Qualifier, and the 2nd place of International Choreographers Competition.
Sam Allen
Sam Allen is a graduate of University of Southern California. He studied and performed with the American Ballroom Theatre and the Harkness Youth Ballet. Sam has choreographed feature films and national commercials for companies such as Nike, Almond Breeze, Canon, andDoritos. He has also choreographed music videos and live tours forartists including Keith Urban Todrick Hall, Mya, and Cappadonna of Wu-Tang Clan. Sam has received various awards including Best Choreography at the United States Tournament of Dance Nationals. He loves telling stories through creative movement and his expertise invarious forms of dance enable him to guest teach and choreograph all over the world including Japan and China.
Ka Laam Chan
Ka Laam specializes in Classical Ballet, Contemporary, K-pop, Salsa/bachata, Jazz, Heels, as well as partner dancing
She has earned certifications in dance from the Royal Academy of Dance Ballet in Hong Kong and graduated with honors in Theater and Dance from CSUDH
Ka Laam has trained under Galen Hooks, Tina Landon(previous Janet Jackson’ choreographer), Antonio D’Byod(pervious principal dancer in Alvin Ailey’s Company), John Todd, Kenneth Walker, Jeff Hendrix, and has performed in different events such as The American College Dance Conference, The LA Bachata Festival and College dance concerts.
Instrument Class
Kevin Litrow (Guitar)
L.A. native Kevin Litrow's LITRONIX is a music machine inventing irresistible futuristic pop songs. He infuses warm analog electronic synthesizers, organic guitars, multi-layered loops, and boxed beats. He recorded and released the first single Are You New Age? as a seven inch, including a side-b remix by legendary electronic pioneer Sensations’ Fix. Kevin has shared the stage and toured extensively with acts such as Ariel Pink, Broadcast, The Kills, The Gossip, Peaches, Blood Brothers, Ian MacKaye, Prince Rama, Blok Party, Best Coast, and Mum with his past bands Dance Disaster Movement, N.O.W., 60 Watt Kid, and Radar.
Ray Weston (Drum)
Ray, is currently the official drummer for multi-platinum rock legends Iron Butterfly, who have sold over 30 million records to date. A 30+ year veteran of the British pop scene, Ray began his drumming career studying with the legendary Scottish drummer George McGowan as well as London great BobArmstrong, whose former students include such luminaries as Oasis's Alan White, and The Who's Zak Starkey. Ray began playing professionally in Glasgow and at the age of 20 made the move to London to join the Scottish band Contraband who had been signed with Transatlantic Records. From then on he became a fixture on the London scene, playing and recording with such greats as Robert Palmer, Tom Jones, Big Audio Dynamite, Wishbone ash, Bjork, Bill Wyman, Andy Summers, and many more.
Alex Snydman (Drum)
Alex made a surprising yet decisive switch from guitar to drums in 2003, and as a drummer he launched himself onto the modern jazz landscape with his debut album entitled Fortunate Action, which released in 2013. He has performed at major jazz clubs and festivals on the East and West coasts as a leader and sideman. He has shared the stage with artists such as Grammy winner Grace Kelly, Joe Sanders, Carl Clements and many more. He is currently pursuing his Masters in Jazz Performance at The California Institute of the Arts, while maintaining a performance schedule. Alex also teaches students of a variety of ages and levels, and finds great joy in aiding in developing their talents.
YouTuber Class
Michael Shu
Michael is a born storyteller and tech head, Michael started to educate himself in filmmaking theory and technique in 1991. Before graduating high school, he had already garnered multiple state filmmaking awards as he experimented with many personal and professional projects. Michael majored in Psychology at the University of Southern California along with his degree in Cinema-Television. Out of college, he studied the art of Steadicam Operation and gained experience in Los Angeles studio production. Michael founded Onyx Cinema and started teaching through New York Film Academy in LA, as well as produced his entertaining informational YouTube video channel.
Nick McDonald
Nick has been an independent film producer for approximately 4 years, after graduating college with a B.A. in Documentary Film. He has worked at a personal and professional level, producing content designed for various internet platforms including YouTube, Instagram, Facebook etc. and during that time he has developed a deep understanding of what creates engaging content, and how to reach an audience with that content. Nick’s favorite thing to do however has always been teaching, and he is excited by the chance to combine his knowledge of film, with my love of instruction, to help grow the next generation of content creators.
Songwriting Class
Jan Linder-Koda
Jan Linder-Koda is an award winning singer-songwriter, producer, actress, and artist developer. Her class is designed to improve artist abilities on and off the stage as well as giving the clientele first-hand knowledge of the industry while increasing their creativity. Backed by an extensive musical background debuting with the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by world renown Eugene Ormandy and continuing her career singing with Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic, Jan Linder-Kodak went on to receive a Bachelor’s of Education in Opera from Combs College of Music. Jan has developed herself as a singer-songwriter, producer, actress, artist developer, activist, and proud mother. Her commitment to the arts and her appreciation for future performers of the world continue with her grace, positive influence, and steadfast dedication.