Masterclasses, Workshops, Comprehensive and Restorative Art Conditioning

“Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” Nelson Mandela

Quiana has been teaching since the age of 16. She taught theatre, dance, and speech to 4-5 year olds at Simple Simon’s Daycare in Omaha, Nebraska. The kids couldn’t pronounce her full name so she decided to use the nickname a high school friend called her. Thus, Ms. Q. was born.

Offered Classes and Workshops

Masterclasses

Offered Masterclasses: Musical Theatre, Acting, and Audition Technique (1.5 - 2 hour sessions)

Group Theatre Workshops

Visiting New York? Wanna find out how Broadway performers prepare for 8 shows a week? Wanna sing a little? Do some mock auditions? Do some scene work? Need some questions answered by professional Broadway actors? I can gear the class toward the needs of your group. Class is flexible. (2 hour sessions)

Vocal Coaching

Getting ready for an audition? I can help. Need help with song interpretation? I can help. Or we can just go through your book and make sure you have what you need. (1 hour sessions)

Voice and Movement

Exercises that helps one find his or her natural voice and explore movement of the body to aid in storytelling. Movement with music, speech production, and improvisation. For actors, singers, and dancers. (1.5 - 2 hour sessions)

Comprehensive and Restorative Art Conditioning

Comprehensive Art Approach

Designed for students with or without emotional, behavioral, psychological, and developmental challenges—using creative exercises in dance, theatre, fine art, culinary art, yoga, music, and more as a vehicle to meet education and personal goals. Comprehensive Art is an open and discoverable form of therapy, offering students a journey toward expression, initiating a movement within themselves to continue to reflect upon who they are, who they eventually want to become, and help create the world they wish to live in. Each applied exercise is designed not only to develop artistic ability, but to provide daily discipline, enhance communication, and support social skills. These skills and exercises condition the mind and body for long-term success in work ethic and goal setting.
• Hands-on art projects and imagery provides students with tools to visualize their communication.
• Scripts, poems, and songs provide a safe space for dialogue and an appreciation of language.
• Dance and music sets bodies and minds free, while covertly improving mathematical skills simultaneously.
The goal is learning and expressing who they are.

Restorative Art Approach

Designed for students with or without emotional, behavioral, psychological, and developmental challenges—using creative exercises of self-exploration and group activities to attempt to meet the students’ emotional and behavioral needs.
Students are held accountable for participation in the applied group exercises to create a sense of team building. The goal is to provide a supportive class atmosphere where students can learn to speak freely and learn to listen to others' needs, thus advancing their leadership skills, increasing their self-worth, generating confidence, demonstrating success, and enhancing their sense of community.

Booking Details

* Available to travel to your school outside of NYC
* Please contact Q. to discuss dates and rates.

Looking forward to helping you become your best self!

Q.’s excitement and energy is contagious for students and teachers alike.  She offers real strategies that help students learn and offers refreshing techniques to help teachers inspire students. Students always ask, “When is Ms. Q. coming back to work with us again?”  It is a true testament to her skills and abilities to work with struggling students.

Curt Elledge History Teacher at Penn Manor High School (Twighlight Program), Lancaster, PA

Q. Smith is the consummate artist-educator; authentic, truthful, candid, funny, and as inspiring in the classroom as she is fierce on the stage. My B.A. Musical Theatre students were absolutely mesmerized by her, and responded immediately to the keen, informed insights inherent to her strong, insightful teaching personality. I would eagerly have Q. back anytime!

Elizabeth Gerbi Musical Theatre Professor at American University, Washington, DC

QSmith is an asset to any classroom environment! Her connection with students is instantaneous. She’s supportive, dynamic and a sheer force of inspiration. She’s a natural teacher. I’d invite her back again and again.

Michael Perreca Director and Adjunct Professor of Brooklyn College (“Performing Arts Techniques for the Classroom Teacher” and S.T.A.R. Early College Program), Brooklyn, NY

Q. Smith is a phenomenal teacher. Maui Prep has a very different culture climate than most schools across the country. Because of our location, our students are limited in what they are able to experience. Q. was able to meet my students where they were at, gain their trust, and inspire them to step outside of their comfort zone all within a one hour workshop. Q. had the chance to work with students in our Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School, changing her style to fit with each different age group.

Vania Lee Jerome Director of Performing Arts, Maui Preparatory Academy, Maui, HI

Q. Smith is a beacon of positive and unflagging energy. Her passion inspires her students in an atmosphere of hard work flavored with humor. She is a 100% trustworthy and inspiring teacher and model of the kind of optimism, discipline, joy, and courage a theatre career demands. I am excited whenever I can put students in contact with Q., because I know they will come away delighted, excited, and motivated.

Susannah Berryman Associate Professor at Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY