It's one thing to want to grow and another to know how to achieve it. Most of my career growth has been shaped by time spent in the trenches. When I first reached out to Saul, I wanted to develop in a very specific area: pitching creative to clients. In that regard, I couldn't have found a better resource. Saul not only coached me to become a more effective communicator, but he also helped me connect more deeply with the work and ultimately unlock more creative potential. This latter point shifted the trajectory of my career and ambitions, transforming our relationship from "speaking coach" to mentor. The relationship and continuity we've built have been transformational, influencing the way I approach my role as both a creative and a leader, and shaping everything our company does. What began as a specific goal has evolved into something infinitely more personal and gratifying: exploratory and broad, yet always directed toward developing a clear vision that I've been able to hone over time. It's no exaggeration to say that the time I've spent working with Saul has completely changed my perspective on what I am capable of achieving and broadened my horizons. We've been at it for over five years now, and I plan to continue for many more. read more

As psychotherapist and an introvert, my comfort zone was working individually with people or being behind the scenes. But I reached a point in my career where I needed to do some public speaking and was going to lead trainings, and I knew I needed help. When I found Saul's work online, I had no real concept of voice training--only that I needed to address my public speaking anxiety. My work with Saul not only profoundly transformed my relationship to my anxiety, but also invited deeper layers of connection with myself as I connected with others. I learned how to better engage with self-critical parts, trust more of my experience, discover enough safety to melt old places of freeze, and make real sense of the word "embodied." Most importantly, I learned how to more deeply and clearly express what I really care about. While it wasn't easy, there were so many good and great surprises along the way. The work we've done together--supported by his compassionate presence, attention to my specific needs and process, creative approach to learning, and deep experience in somatics and voice work--has been truly life changing. Our work will continue to affect not just my public speaking, but all areas of my life where confidence and connection really matter. read more

When I needed help with my voice, to feel more confident and powerful when expressing myself, I searched online and found a bunch of folks. But Saul's website was the only one that was a gentle invitation to the work I needed to do. And that's 100% what it's like to work with Saul. He invites you to learn, improve, grow, and most of all, to understand. He helped me understand what I needed on a much deeper, emotional level, and how those needs showed up in how I was using my voice to express myself. What I especially appreciated was that Saul made the work fun, and I always felt like I had a partner who was eager to learn alongside me. I left every meeting not only with new tools, but with deeper insights. And Saul did it all with joy, kindness, humor, encouragement, and deep, deep, deep empathy. I would walk out his door buzzing with energy, excitement, possibility, and life. Saul is a pleasure to work with, dedicated, and a gem of a human being who cares deeply about helping you grow. read more

When I met Saul, I could not imagine speaking a sentence -- let alone having a conversation... let alone performing a concert (!) -- without my primary experience being discomfort. I desperately wanted to enjoy my concerts, but could only dread them as they approached, and remember them as a blur after they were finished. During the past year, with Saul's guidance, I have not only experienced communicating without pain, but I have experienced points during communication and performance which have felt *good* and *nutritive* to *me*. The possibility of speaking and singing being a thing which *gives me* life and healing is beyond words for me, and at the same time it is becoming a real possibility, thanks to my work with Saul. Saul's patience, perspective, and love through this process has been life-giving and life-changing, and I look forward to learning all I can from Saul over the years to come. read more

Saul is a certified MASTER TEACHER in Fitzmaurice voicework, one of only 11 in the world. I am an acting teacher in Los Angeles and have referred my students to Saul for years (no kick-backs) and never heard of anyone being disappointed. Countless actors I have sent to him over the years have found greater vocal freedom and far more access and expression in their emotional life. I believe every serious actor should have at least two years of voice training. I am a great believer in Fitzmaurice voice work and Saul truly makes that work his own. read more

I can't say enough good things about Saul and his way of teaching, I feel beyond blessed that I was able to work with him! I took the 3-day workshop for performers and I cannot recommend it enough for actors and singers, AND those who may just want to connect with themselves and their voices and bodies. It's an incredibly freeing experience to find yourself moaning, groaning, panting and crying while you're twisted in some shape you normally only reserve for sex or yoga. ;) Seriously though, to be able to get to that space among strangers - and receive the incredible emotional, mental and physical benefits of it - is truly a wonder, and so very much because of Saul and the environment he is able to create for everyone. Saul does an amazing job to create a calm, welcome, relaxed and utterly free space. He respects your space, encourages everyone else to do the same and encourages you to respect your OWN space, your own process and, most importantly, your inner voice. It was also juts FUN! He can also go really deep with you while working, and you feel he is right there with you, supporting you and helping you use/deal with whatever it is that comes up. It's an excellent balance that helped me feel very safe and well-regarded. He's just a warm person who is also highly gifted at what he does. The two go hand in hand. The work itself is amazing - freeing, therapeutic (potentially on a deep, primal level that you cannot imagine) and just plain interesting and rewarding. I found myself having some insane breakthroughs and profound emotion releases in connection to my voice (literally and figuratively) which has taught me so much about how I have approached (and how I now want to approach) singing. You cannot get that really anywhere. Unless you're rolling your muscles around on a tennis ball for 2 hours and having some kind of Kundalini-energy exorcism. Trust me, this is a lot more fun and probably safer, haha. If you struggle with breathing, personal boundaries/being heard, or if you're an actor or want to become a better singer... even those seeking healing and therapy from trauma or emotional pains, GO TO SAUL! :) Go with an open heart and an open mind. You will learn so much and be so thankful you met him. read more

Saul is a wonderful voice teacher. He is patient, caring, understanding and he creates a safe environment to work on your voice. It's a very vulnerable thing to work on your voice and Saul understands that. He has helped me tremendously as an actor and as a human. I would highly recommend him, he has changed the game for me as an artist. If you want to take your voice to the next level you need to be working with Saul. read more

I first met Saul in 2005 for a 5 day workshop. I have been taking voice with Saul from privates to classes on and off since 2005 and I am constantly learning new things to help me open up to myself and others in my work as a performer as well as my personal life. I study with Saul because he is always evolving himself as a teacher and constantly challenging himself as well as his students. Saul encourages you to challenge him and to discuss your own experience so that he can help you make the work yours. He is encouraging, nurturing, and incredibly sensitive to what a performer needs. I have studied with multiple voice teacher since 2002 and I always recommend Saul for LA actors who are serious about their work. read more

Saul is a teacher who lives, breathes, and patiently encourages presence. Never have I met someone as attentive, compassionate, intuitive, and insightful as Saul Kotzubei, and that he so generously and thoughtfully shares his life experience with his students has served as a model and an inspiration in my own life and teaching. Saul works with an incredible range of clients -- performers, professionals, novices, seasoned veterans, students, teachers -- and he consistently supports and encourages all of his clients through attentive listening, compassionate engagement, and highly specific and aware feedback. He is the Co-Director of Fitzmaurice Voicework and the Fitzmaurice Institute, as well as being one of the original Master Teachers of the work -- and his immense talents and intelligences extend well beyond his utter efficacy in awakening the power of the breath and voice. As a performer, I have found a greater connection to my sense of truth and presence through Saul's nuanced questions and integration of imagination and physicality. As a teacher, I have found greater compassion and acceptance in my approach to my work through Saul's modeling, both in his desire to teach effectively and to challenge himself to grow through consistent mindfulness. And as an artist, I have found greater clarity of purpose and the voice with which to express that purpose through Saul's unwavering commitment to integrity and honest self-exploration. There is no teacher -- of Fitzmaurice Voicework, of breath and body work, of imagination and self-expression -- who can match Saul Kotzubei's unique commitment to helping his students challenge themselves and grow. Time spent with Saul is always time incredibly well spent, usually with life-changing implications. I cannot recommend him highly enough. read more

I've been studying with Saul for several years now - he is not your traditional voice teacher. We do warmups, but more in the way one would tune a musical instrument. I once heard another actor from class call it his actor yoga voice class. Saul's teaching of the Fitzmaurice technique is the most well rounded vocal work that I have ever done. Not only is my voice stronger and freer, but I think my acting is as well. I recommend Saul to every professional actor I meet (and even people who just need to get up and speak to others). Saul is one of a kind. I will be studying with him as long as he is teaching. read more

The improvements I saw with Saul were totally unexpected in extent and scope. After only a couple beginner lessons, Saul's exercises not only dramatically improved my contact with my voice, but they made me feel fantastic. Jon Kabat-Zinn would be proud. Of course, you have to actually do the exercises every day, but it becomes rewarding. For me it was transformative. That word is overused, but that is the right word. He taught me that the key to your voice is to be in touch with it. Sounds trite, but I mean, really in touch with it, in ways you may not have experienced. Getting there isn't obvious, but seems to involve mindfulness and psychology as much as technical practice and kinesthesia. It was a surprising delight to begin to get in touch with this foundation for the first time since I could remember. It didn't happen overnight, but I got results in a matter of weeks with consistent practice. It also opened a new door to mediation and relaxation which has been very powerful. It's clear to me that Saul understands the big-picture essence of his art and how to convey ownership to a novice. This is what makes a great teacher. read more

Saul is an incredible coach (and person) with a wealth of knowledge. One of the few coaches I have ever had to expressly communicate that his studio is a safe space and one where the student's comfort and security is valued. I have experienced trauma that can make expressing myself vulnerable and frightening -- Saul is the first coach I have worked with who is truly and purely interested in helping me to heal and grow, with no ego involved. After only a few weeks of working together I began to feel a shift in my life and attitude, and now have tools and exercises to practice on my own away from sessions. I wish that everyone I know could work with him, as it is so rare to be heard and seen in such a thoughtful, curious, and compassionate way. Frankly, I am having a hard time writing a review that does my experience justice! I am so grateful to have him as a guide. If you have trouble expressing yourself or finding your voice -- call Saul. He is one of a kind. read more

Saul is a brilliant voice coach. I've had the honor to work with him for a few months and attend one of his public speaking workshops. Both have been the most valuable work I've done to improve my speaking. Although Saul may be more expensive than other teachers, his advice and teaching is more insightful, so you actually save time and money. Give him my highest recommendation and would recommend him to anyone. Saul is a teacher cut from the finest cloth. read more

I had been studying as actor for about four years and it wasn't until I took Saul's voice classes that everything began to click and the dark cloud of my own personal blocks began to clear. Through Saul's listening, I am finally finding my own voice as a performer. He studies each of his students at the individual level, recognizing that each must find their own distinct path to freedom of voice. He's a humble, caring, down-to-earth teacher who is constantly learning and questioning even his own methods. Check out his website and you'll not only see that he's well connected, but that he's at the top of his game. He is a teacher of teachers. He really is the kind of teacher who, once you've taken from him, you want all of your friends to take from him. Thanks Saul Kotzubei! ;) read more

I recently took Saul's Fitzmaurice Voice workshop in LA. It was truly an incredible experience. It not only gave me more access to my voice, it helped propel my acting to a new level. What he teaches can easily be incorporated to an artist's toolbox to complement other techniques and methods. I plan on not only using what I learned at the workshop on a regular basis, I will continue to further pursue studies of the Fitzmaurice technique. Thanks for a wonderful artistic and physiological exploration of voice and emotional depth! HIGHLY Recommend. read more

Saul is a great teacher with a deep soul and a tremendous amount of compassion for his students. After a lifetime of regularly losing my voice to laryngitis, I haven't lost it once since we began working. I've learned to be more present in the chaos and be able to speak effectively. Saul and Beth, a teacher trained by Saul, have encouraged me to keep going when my confidence wavered while giving me the freedom not to pretend to always have my act together surrounding my practice. I recommend working with them -- they will bring the Human out of you and help you shine. read more

I have studied voice for a long time, and it is through Fitzmaurice work (the work Saul teaches) that I have had the most significant breakthroughs. Fitzmaurice work will bring you face to face with many of the fears that come with public speaking and performance, especially the fears of looking silly in front of others or being judged. Saul creates a truly safe, non-judgmental space that allows you to explore your voice freely. He is an incredibly kind, patient teacher. His work has allowed me to tap into my real strength and power and to find the freedom to express that inner strength physically and vocally. Because of working with Saul, I speak with greater self understanding and confidence. read more

I love the work that goes on in Saul's classes. He is such an understanding and caring teacher. I've been studying with Saul for a little over a year now. It's given me new avenues into my work as an actor and made me so much more aware of my experience, moment to moment. I recommend working with Saul to everyone. It has not only helped me to evolve me as an actor, but also as a human. This work blends into my life everyday, and Im so thankful for it. read more

After reading Regna's review of Saul I felt I had to write my own. I worked with Saul several years ago. I took his workshop and also some privates. I found the work amazing and Saul to be a meticulous and caring teacher. I'm an acting coach myself and am very picky about whom I refer my students to. I send them to Saul without compunction (and no, I don't get "kick-backs" of any kind). I'm sorry that Regina had a bad experience, but I have to say, Saul clearly states on his class policies that the deposit is non-refundable. He is a professional and deserves to be paid for his time and effort. read more

I've always said Saul is one of the best teachers I've ever had FOR ANYTHING. His approach and methodology makes learning from him so accessible and with such ease that I compare any other teacher to him. I wish he could teach me everything. And with voice, his patience goes far. I feel like my voice was an abandoned, beat up dog afraid to come out of his hiding place. But with soft guidance working with Saul, slowly my real voice has emerged more and more. To the point where I find pleasure speaking and feeling the vibrations in my body. I really cherish this gift of speaking. And further more, doing this work, has made my self and body feel alive, like radically alive. Its grounding. Its nourishing. It's life affirming. I can't express enough gratitude for this man, and this voicework. Run to him, though be patient with your voice...the softer approach will always yield greater rewards. read more

I've been studying in privates and group classes with Saul for a year-and-a-half. I credit his great skill, sensitivity and integrity with reinvigorating my passion for my profession. The classes have given me a solid daily workout for my voice, and Saul also incorporates a lot of exercises that can be used to lessen the psychological stress of the audition situation, which I use at each call-back. The structure of his classes and his appetite to expand his own skill level also make him a role model for me in my own work as an acting teacher. read more

I have been working with Saul for a few years now and I'm not sure if i can put into words how helpful he has been. I started with a weekend intensive which knocked me out (physically and emotionally). I have to admit that I was a bit resistant since it's hard to tell how this method is going to help at all- I thought it was coming at the voice work sideways compared to what I had done in college. But however I got there, I am amazed at how much more open vocally and emotionally available I am when I work. The physical tensions that had been holding me back from fully expressing emotion are no longer an issue- and when they do come up, I know what to do. My voice now allows me to express with power and vulnerability like never before. My acting has changed forever for the better thanks to my continuing work with Saul. read more

After researching various voice coaches, I decided to give a weekend workshop as a gift to my husband, who is an actor. I contacted Saul by email, and asked about pricing etc, and technique. Although it was a little pricey, he appeared to be someone who really wanted to help performers overcome hurdles in their chosen profession. Someone who was not about just the almighty dollar. Boy was I wrong! So, we sent in the $100 deposit, as required. Then, as luck would have it, my husband had an audition 2 days before his weekend intensive was scheduled...and he got his first booking in over 2 years and it shot that weekend! He called Saul K and told him the great news, and asked if he could take the next intensive. Saul said he would think about it; but we never heard back from him. Then we emailed him again, and Saul said the deposit was nonrefundable. We asked Saul if he would consider applying the deposit to another class or a private, and he said NO, he was keeping it. Now he doesn't return emails or calls. Obviously its about the money, and not helping actors improve their craft. If you need a good and caring coach...look elsewhere! read more

Saul was recommended to me by my acting teacher to help me access more of my voice's potential. My growing edge was to experience extreme emotion without pushing or controlling it, while remaining articulate within the scene. Saul helped with this immensely. Initially, I worked with Saul in private coaching. His insight and attention to detail were evident and immediately helpful in allowing me to broaden my vocal range and deepen my presence as a performer. What I have been most impressed by is the way the work I do with Saul evolves and grows in me as a performer with time. Over the years, I have continued to work with Saul in his ongoing class, workshop settings, and private coaching for the unique needs of specific performances. With him, I have always found both an ease and familiarity in my body, and unexpected and exciting ways to engage my voice and presence. The growth Saul has helped facilitate in me has been noticed in professional and non-professional contexts, and I am grateful for it. I recommend you check him out. read more