About New York Speech Coaching and our staff

John West

Co-Founder and Head Instructor of New York Speech Coaching

Over the last fifteen years, John West has established himself internationally among the world's most sought-after and versatile speech coaches.

Clients include those from:
The United Nations, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Nasdaq, Citigroup, Bank of America, Credit Suisse, Google, Deutsche Bank, Doctors without Borders, Deerfield, Waze, BlackRock, Bridgewater, Accenture, Barclays, MediaCom, and many more who seek John's guidance in effective communication / presentation skills and voice enhancement. His diverse list of current clients includes C-suite executives, those from hedge funds, banks, and private equity; news anchors, lawyers, surgeons, politicians, fashion designers, models, authors, coaches, judges, professors, actors, and more.

John is a member of American MENSA, and he and New York Speech Coaching have been featured in Business Insider, Vice, the New York Post, Business Advice Service, Career Builder, Fusion, Moneyish, Wall Street Journal, Marie Claire, Esquire, and *NPR among others.

John is recognized for his ability to efficiently and demonstratively guide teams and individuals in high-stakes industries toward healthy, sustainable speaking voices and the ability to communicate comfortably, confidently, and effectively despite duress.

Brendan Houdek

M.A., CCC-SLP, TSSLD / Head of Speech Pathology / Senior Instructor

Brendan Houdek (M.A., CCC-SLP) is a senior instructor at New York Speech Coaching. He specializes in effective business communication, executive presence, and vocal production. His teaching emphasizes control over one’s speaking abilities to be utilized as they see fit in any speaking situation. His training covers not only the physiological aspects of speech production, but also presentational performance and psychological perspective work.

Brendan’s clientele consists of individuals and groups from Google, Disney, Forbes, Nasdaq, Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Capital One, MetLife, and McGraw-Hill. Brendan’s private clients include C-suite executives, politicians, doctors, dentists, accountants, lawyers, journalists, law enforcement officials, architects, TV executives, actors, musicians, art curators, literary agents, engineers, psychologists, software developers, and more.

In addition to his work as a speech coach, Brendan is a NYS-licensed and ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist, specializing in voice and fluency disorders. He is the head of New York Speech Pathology. His in-depth understanding of vocal anatomy and physiology assists his coaching by enabling him to provide speakers with healthy and efficient vocal technique.

Brendan also is a singer, multi-instrumentalist, and voice impressionist, hosting the show “Voice Breakdown” on YouTube. These skills further enable him to have deep insights into the voice and performance.

The ability to converse, communicate and connect to diverse audiences is critical both as a singer and media consultant. I've presented many times over the course of my media career but never felt fully natural doing it the way I did with singing. Before working with Brendan, I'd developed a vocal fry in my speech and often stumbled over my words, primarily due to my improper breathing and “urgency pulse” to speak before I was ready. With his fun and practical exercises and inspiring philosophies, I've grown tremendously as a communicator. Through better pacing, greater commitment to my words, and a much-needed shift in perspective, I've moved closer and closer to my fully authentic self, one who can communicate not just through song, but in everyday life.

Maribel M. Singer and Television Media Consultant

Brendan is a wonderful coach! He is engaging, articulate, encouraging and listens intently with an acute ear… perhaps that stems from his unique skills as a musician. I had the pleasure to work with him on learning the American accent. In our short amount of time, he helped me enormously and I would highly recommend him.

Daniella Alma Actress

Joel Rainwater

Associate Instructor

Joel Rainwater comes to New York Speech Coaching after previously working with The Promentum Group as a speech coach, delivery consultant, and speech content creator for former professional athletes, CEOs, and keynote speakers.

Joel believes that a healthy balance of technique and authenticity are the key ingredients for compelling public speech, and he employs a diverse array of breathing and vocal exercises in order to help clients achieve their goals. He has coached speakers in utilizing emphasis, inflection, rhetoric, and verbal action as means of communicating more effectively.

Joel specializes in assisting prospective employees as they prepare for job interviews. He has spoken about his proven preparation techniques at university campuses throughout the country.

Joel is a seasoned Broadway, Off-Broadway, and regional theater performer. He received his BFA in theatre performance from the University of Evansville in Indiana, and his MFA in acting from American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. Joel is also a Harlaxton College presidential essayist. Speech clarity and vocal production are his main focuses

I would highly recommend Joel Rainwater as an executive presence coach. I connected with Joel soon after landing a new job that required me to take on a leadership role with clients, internal stakeholders, and junior talent. From our first phone conversation, I was impressed by how well he understood my specific goals and challenges. Joel demonstrated a professional and creative approach to our sessions. He had an agenda for every session, although he was also flexible to change our focus depending on my work needs. Joel engaged a wide variety of tools to help me craft my executive presence including visualization, breathing exercises, physical movements and real life situation simulations. Joel was plugged into every minute of our session, he was always spot on his observations, his tactical advice and thoughts. Joel made a significant difference to my professional life. I have been able to leverage our sessions into being a more impactful leader at work with clients, internal stakeholders, and junior talent. While I still have a long journey ahead of me, I am genuinely excited and happy to continue working on my executive presence with Joel Rainwater.

A.K. Financial Services

Finding Joel remains one of the big highlights of my professional and personal life. I came to NY Speech Coaching seeking a lofty and rather conceptual goal. I wanted to max out my full potential to be a great storyteller and a charming, persuasive communicator not just with my clients and colleagues but also with my husband, family and friends. Joel is an EXPERT. He knows the meticulous science of voice projection, tone, resonance and more and he teaches you ways to maximize your full body as a vocal instrument. Additionally, Joel is holistic in his teachings. He does a fantastic job of marrying your body and mind through breath work, visualizations and warm up exercises. Lastly, what I love about Joel's coaching style is that he preserves your individual personality and character instead of teaching cookie cutter methods.

Hana Lee

I'm an immigrant with speaking, listening and self-confidence issues. Yet, my job, personal life and career ambitions require me to interact with many people. Voice coaching classes with Joel have been one of the most transformative undertakings of my life. Joel helped me identify exact areas for improvement and we've been systematically addressing them through in person classes and occasional homework assignments. After each week, I have been noticing improvements: I have to repeat myself less, I get better rapport with people and public speaking has been less terrifying.

Namik Abdulzade

Hands down, my favorite thing about New York Speech Coaching is that I can walk in and ask to work on seemingly anything, and my coach knows exactly how to help. The team is extremely knowledgeable and have taught me so much about the mechanics of speech. I strongly recommend NYSC for anyone eager to improve their communication skills in a supportive environment.

Tim Quinn Vice President Edelman

When looking for a new job in financial services, my largest obstacle was the ability to speak at a reasonable pace during interviews. Joel at New York Speech Coaching taught me how to slow my rate of speech, control my breathing, and improve the tone of my voice. Thanks to my work with Joel, I was able to communicate my ideas and experience intelligibly and with confidence to land my dream job. I highly recommend speech lessons with Joel to anyone struggling with similar issues.

Libby Center

Clara Pagone

Associate Instructor

Clara Pagone is an associate speech instructor with over 12 years of experience. Her expertise ranges from the corporate world to the arts, working as a lawyer, public speaker on trustee boards, in corporate training, international debate tournaments, in vocal health for stage, screen, singing, dance & movement, directing, producing, bilingual performances, and dialect coaching.

Clara has Bachelor's Degrees in Law and Biomedical Science from Monash University, and she is an alumnus of Anne Bogart's SITI Company Conservatory NYC.

Clara grew up between Italy and Australia and is fluent in both Italian and English. She discovered a passion for studying Romance languages and was accepted to study in Salisbury, Great Britain. She participated in tournaments with the Debaters' Association and public speaking teams, later adjudicating state debating and state performance competitions. Clara has directed at Melbourne's notable La Mama Theatre, lead directed for Acting Antics, devising self-motivated children's performances, and worked as a trainee lawyer for Maurice Blackburn, specializing in Medical Law and Consumer Affairs.

Clara's speech coaching is an integrated approach, focusing on classical text articulation and breathing techniques, principles of meditation, hydration, sight, scientific awareness of the body as a changing entity, corporate sensitivities, and the relationship between ear and voice. Clara is skilled in the ability to equip any person with the tools and confidence to move an audience and to communicate clearly and with conviction.

As a more introverted startup CEO, I struggled to lead inspiring pitches and meetings with VCs, teammates, and customers. I understood our technology backwards, but I struggled to galvanize others with my words. From our first meeting, Clara was able to outline paths to overcoming my areas of weakness in confidence, tonality, enunciation, and clarity. Working with her gave me the skills I needed to deliver consistently powerful messages that resonated with my audience. Thanks, Clara!

Steve Startup CEO

I am a young professional working at a design agency where I need to present my work in front of Creative Directors every day. I came to Clara because I was experiencing presentation anxiety. Clara is very professional and really knows her craft. I have learned many valuable things from her, like how to control my breathing and to project confidence and clarity in my presentations. She has also helped me to comprehend and manage anxiety in more general situations. Clara is a woman of many talents and I highly recommend her!

Camille A. Designer

My work with Clara has truly changed my life. I have struggled with social anxiety that has made certain work and social situations very difficult for over 20 years. I sought answers in the fields of CBT, Alexander Technique, Hypnosis, Mindfulness. I struggled and suffered and continued to seek answers about how to live the fully alive, engaged, and authentic life that I craved. When I met Clara I was amazed by her depth and breadth of knowledge. With her clarity of thought and great skill, she met me where I was and taught me the techniques that helped me get out of my head and into the present moment. She taught me how to do it physically in my body with movement, breathing, and vocal exercises… and she taught me that by changing my physical body, I can change my mind and find my way to grounded, authentic presence.

CR Social Worker

Eric Van Tielen

Associate Instructor

Eric Van Tielen is an associate speech instructor with over 10 years of experience in professional teaching and private coaching. Eric's teaching combines his background in corporate communication, speech and debate, theatre, and classical singing for a practical and professional approach to public speaking and voice work. He has been a voice coach and professional actor for 20 years and is equally at home with artists and professionals alike.

Eric works with his clients to discover their most free and natural sound. He strives to give his clients a working knowledge of their voice and the ability to control it in any situation - whether a job interview, a presentation, social interactions, or corporate meetings.

Corporate clients such as Bloomberg News, New York 1, Pinterest, and Morgan Stanley count on Eric to be their executive presence specialist. He has consistently empowered his clients to "walk the walk and talk the talk."

Eric has led workshops across the country with universities and theatre companies including Indiana University, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Syracuse University, and Berkshire Theatre Group. As an actor, he has been seen on the Broadway stage, in national and international touring productions, and regionally at theaters around the country.

Tricia Veldman

M.S., CCC-SLP, TSSLD / Founder of Georgia Speech Coaching / Instructor

Tricia Veldman is a bilingual speech-language pathologist currently living in Savannah, Georgia. She holds a Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Bilingual Extension in Italian, from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a Bachelor of Health Science from the University of Florida.

Tricia is trained across a variety of speech-language domains. Her more specific experiences include public speaking, voice, fluency, bilingual populations, accent modification, and adolescent social skills training. Tricia focuses on equipping others with the confidence to feel comfortable with public speaking in any situation, conversation, or presentation. She combines her knowledge of psychology and interpersonal communication to guide clients in promoting their own self-expression and personal success.

As a passion project, Tricia co-hosts The Lost Art of Communication podcast. Each episode analyzes the evolution of communication in a digital age and includes actionable steps for listeners to implement in their day-to-day conversations.

Recognizing that learning styles vary on an individual basis, Tricia utilizes client-specific therapy and coaching to achieve the most impactful and long-lasting results. Her business clients include lawyers, consultants, entrepreneurs, health coaches, graphic designers, engineers, teachers, and employees of companies such as: Conde Nast, Reddit, Equinox, the United Nations, and Disney.

Tricia offre tutti i servizi anche in Italiano.

I highly recommend New York Speech Coaching. This place is built with a friendly and professional team. The guidance in my learning process was really helpful and thoughtful for my specific needs as a voice over artist. My coach Tricia Veldman was simply the best I could ask to coach me, with a very technical and human approach to the learning process. Don't think twice — take classes at NYSC. You will not regret it!

Carola Carstens Professional Voice-Over Artist

I worked with Tricia and she was professional, knowledgeable, supportive and a pleasure to learn with. We went beyond my original goal of eliminating an accent and worked on public speaking and general presentation. Highly recommend NY Speech Coaching.

Jill Menoff Architect

I had my voice and speech training with Tricia at New York Speech Coaching. Tricia taught me the core vocal techniques and how to cultivate discipline to articulate my ideas consistently with confidence. Tricia is empathetic and thoughtful, and she genuinely cares about her clients. After my lessons with Tricia, my vocal tone has become more relaxed and grounded, and I have more control over my voice.

Julie Jung Graphic Designer

Caleb Shomaker

Associate Instructor

Caleb Shomaker is an associate speech instructor, voice and text coach, and educator. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre and Mathematics from New York University and is an alumnus of the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. Caleb honed his appreciation for the art of public speaking while participating in the New York Speech Coaching Teacher Training Program under the instruction of Brendan Houdek and John West. His style of coaching incorporates his experiences as both a performer and acting coach with his passions for anatomy, psychology, and philosophy.

Caleb is currently the Resident Vocal Director at Shakespeare in the Square. He uses the same skill set to help his clients enhance their vocal instruments by practicing the techniques necessary for honest, expressive, and effective communication.

I came to NYSC with the goal of improving my pronunciation. After just the first session with Caleb, I started to become aware of how the tongue muscle should be used to produce different sounds. A few months later, with Caleb’s patient, persistent, and scientific instructions and targeted exercises, I now speak “more clearly” (to quote a colleague giving me feedback). This makes me more confident in my job where I frequently need to moderate meetings and occasionally need to do presentations, as well as casual conversations with friends and coworkers.

M. Project Manager Financial Services

Josephine Barton

Associate Instructor

Josephine is a voice, speech, and accent coach. She has an Master of Arts degree in Voice Studies from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, London, and studied acting in Sydney.

She has extensive experience coaching public speaking, presentation skills, and accent modification for clients in the US, Australia, and the UK. She has coached voice in drama schools and universities, including the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Drama Studio London, City Academy, University of Notre Dame, Sydney, and London Metropolitan University.

Josephine understands that each client is unique, and all sessions are tailored specifically to her clients' needs. Using techniques drawn from acting training, scientific research, and business communication skills, Josephine works with the client to achieve vocal health, stamina, audibility, clarity, expression, and confidence.

Jordan Smith

Speech Writing Associate

Jordan Smith is a former speechwriter for New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Comptroller Scott Stringer. He was also a speechwriter for the American Public Transportation Association, a Washington, D.C.-based trade group. He has penned keynote addresses, short talking points and everything in between for elected officials, CEOs, and nonprofit leaders. He is the author of the best-selling Kindle Single, Humanity. His writing has appeared in more than 50 national publications, including the New York Times, The Atlantic, Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal.

Beth Sherman

Speech Writing Associate

Beth Sherman… is not very good writing about herself in the third person.

Hello and nice to meet you. I'm a multiple Emmy-winning comedy writer with comedy credits that include Ellen, Letterman and the Tonight Show, and award show credits that include MTV’s Video Music Awards and the Oscars.

Over the past few years, I’ve expanded my professional work to include speechwriting. As it turns out, it’s a natural extension of my existing skill set -- being funny in someone else’s voice. Now, instead of being funny in Jay, Dave or Ellen’s voice, I’m funny in yours.

On the personal side, I've written well over a hundred best man speeches, grooms’ speeches, father of the bride speeches, toasts for the rehearsal dinner, speeches for friends and family acting as officiants and on a few occasions, I've even ghostwritten the vows themselves. I’ve also written birthday toasts, anniversary speeches and quite a few eulogies. Yes, eulogies. Is there anything better than a genuine, universal laugh to break the tension at a terrible moment?

On the professional side, I’ve written and punched up TED talks, retirement speeches, acceptance speeches and commencement remarks. My client list includes professors, physicians, tech entrepreneurs, an Air Force major and a Coast Guard admiral.

Even though my focus is comedy, I understand that jokes aren’t appropriate for every situation. Sometimes all you need is a light dusting of funny to brighten the tone and loosen up the room. I know how to bring out the organic humor in your piece, and more importantly, how to do it in a way that sounds like you, not me. My goal is you, but better.

I can write your project from scratch or I can spend a few hours improving what you've written yourself. If you're not sure how (or if) you'd like to proceed, I'm happy to jump on a call and talk it through.

All of my speeches are collaborative. I’ll start by putting together a list of questions about you and the event. The questions are meant to generate material, give me context and get you thinking. I'll also happily take any notes you've put together already. Once I have enough to go on, I’ll put together a first draft, and then we’ll go back and forth fine-tuning the piece until you think it's ready.

Additional information and client reviews available on www.BethSherman.com

Justin Stoney

Founder and President of New York Vocal Coaching and Affiliates

Justin Stoney founded New York Vocal Coaching and affiliates including New York Speech Coaching, and is currently available as NYVC's head instructor for those interested in singing sessions. He is an internationally recognized Voice Teacher and Vocal/Speech Coach. As one of the leading Voice Teachers in today’s music industry, he has appeared on the NBC Today Show, CBS, Fox News, Fox 5 New York, The Insider, and is a frequent guest on Huffington Post Live’s interviews of celebrity singers. His teaching has been featured in publications such as Esquire Magazine, Newsweek/The Daily Beast, NME, Fox News Magazine, Discovery News, Medical Daily, NY Daily News, New York Magazine, UK’s Daily Mail, Vice Magazine, Marie Claire, and Backstage Magazine. Backstage readers also voted Mr. Stoney as one of New York City’s best Voice Teachers and Vocal Coaches. For more on Justin and New York Vocal Coaching, please click here.

About New York Speech Coaching & Staff

John West

Brendan Houdek

Joel Rainwater

Clara Pagone

Eric Van Tielen

Tricia Veldman

Caleb Shomaker

Josephine Barton

Jordan Smith

Beth Sherman

Justin Stoney