SONDER
n. the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own—populated with their own ambitions, friends, routines, worries and inherited craziness—an epic story that continues invisibly around you like an anthill sprawling deep underground, with elaborate passageways to thousands of other lives that you’ll never know existed, in which you might appear only once, as an extra sipping coffee in the background, as a blur of traffic passing on the highway, as a lighted window at dusk.
- Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows
Shane Savage
Owner, Head Coach
Born, raised and trained in Melbourne, Australia, Shane has been a working actor for 17 years and a professional coach for 12.
After completing a Bachelor of Creative Arts from Deakin University with a double major in Theatre and Film Production, Shane went on to train full time at the Howard Fine Acting Studio Australia under instruction from some of the best acting coaches in the world, including Howard Fine, David Coury, Jean-Louis Rodrigue, Kristof Konrad and Ted Brunetti.
Shane was honoured to call the above his colleagues when he joined the faculty of the Howard Fine Acting Studio Australia in 2015. Shane has also served on the faculty at Australia’s National Theatre Drama School, where he designed and taught multiple curriculums, proudly teaching and mentoring the third year graduating ensembles in the creation of original work.
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Upon immigrating to Canada in 2018, Shane started working for a 3-time Emmy award winning Casting Director, before shifting his focus back to education and coaching as an Associate at JBA for 4 years.
A firm believer in artists creating their own opportunities, Shane wears many hats including Actor, Coach, Director, Producer and Writer. His work as a Creative has won awards internationally including Best Writing from NYC Webfest, Best Online Video from the London Film Awards, and 2 x Best Comedy from the Australian Online Video Awards. In 2021, he Associate Produced the short film FREYA, nominated for 9 and winning 5 prestigious Leo Awards. Freya is currently in development as a full-length feature film.
*Shane is currently only accepting new clients via referral
Pictured: Shane as the on-set coach for 'Sorry For Your Cost'
Kian Pitman
Acting Coach
Kian Pitman is an award winning, multi-disciplinary Performing Artist and Educator.
As the epitome of a third culture kid (from being born in Australia, to growing up in the multicultural nation of Malaysia) Kian’s acting career began at age 14 touring around Malaysia with a Cantonese Musical Opera, “Paper Crane” dir. Joe Hasham.
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Kian moved to London at 18 where she studied at RADA and The Actors Centre. She was also an ensemble member of the Tower Theatre Company and performed in several short films and theatre productions during her time there, including “Nicky” in “Shakers" dir. Orna Joseph (London).
​Kian then returned home, completing her acting training at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts where she received many awards, including the 2018 Shakespeare Award for her role as Romeo in “Romeo and Juliet”.
Kian has always valued contributing to educating young minds from the perspective of a working Actor and as such became a teaching artist, director and coach for some of Australia’s leading youth arts institutions, including NIDA, ATYP and more. Kian is also a proud collaborator of the Smith’s Family Foundation.
Monica Sowinski
Singing Coach
Monica is a Polish-Canadian soprano and passionate voice teacher based in Vancouver, British Columbia. She holds a Master’s degree in Voice Performance and Vocal Pedagogy from the University of Toronto, a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice Performance from Western University, and a Music Diploma from Capilano University.
Monica has also completed all three levels of Somatic Voicework™, the LoVetri Method, and continues to expand her toolbox to better serve her students.​
With over six years of teaching experience, Monica has had the privilege of working with singers of all ages and coaching vocalists in various genres, from classical to pop, musical theatre, rock, alternative, and indie. Her teaching philosophy is all about creating a supportive and safe environment where singers feel empowered to explore their vocal potential with freedom and authenticity.
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Monica takes a student-centered approach to her teaching, ensuring that every lesson is a collaboration between teacher and student. Her teaching emphasizes not only technical proficiency and expression but also highlights the relationship between singer and self. Her goal is to help singers develop a reliable and sustainable vocal technique while being kind to themselves and their voices.
