"Everything in the vocal audition that made me stand out were specifically things Damien had told me to do. Without him, not one of those habits would have been present at the audition ... and I wouldn't have been excepted to the Ray Bolger Musical Theater Program at UCLA..." (Read more)

"For nearly two years now I have had the pleasure to know, and work with Damien Lorton. I met him when I stumbled upon an audition for what was then his new theater company "One More Productions". As luck would have it I landed a part in his show and quickly realized that I had a wonderful new mentor to aid me in the business.

Damien actually came at the right point in my life. I had been a regular performer throughout California for fifteen years and was close to considering a new career choice as college was fast approaching. When I had the opportunity to work with Damien in that first show he found a way to build up my confidence to a level where I had decided to follow my passion in school, theater. A skill all teachers should possess. As my two years at Junior College came to a close, with his influence I chose to keep up performing with the hopes of transferring to one of the nation's best performing arts schools. It is rare when you can find a teacher who pushes you to not only do what you know you can, but to do things you never thought possible of yourself. This is Damien Lorton at his regular, which is always his best.

Working with him in shows I have seen that this man leaves no detail behind and throws every ounce of his energy into what he works on. He is a brilliant musician to say the least and he is great at taking his knowledge and transferring it in way students can comprehend. I've seen him take a cast of amateurs and turn their vocal power into something that easily resembles a Broadway recording.

The biggest surprise of Damien's skill came to me about a year ago exactly. Auditions came up for my first choice in schools. This one in particular was for the Ray Bolger Musical Theater Program at UCLA. The school held auditions in five cities throughout the country. A total of 643 students auditioned for a transfer spot that would only accept five. As I thought I was completely over my head I contacted the one person I knew who could aid me in the best possible way for the audition, Damien Lorton. We spent one night working on the songs, usually a time amount that is unheard of for any kind of professional audition. We recorded the session and Damien corrected habits of mine to what he thought would be in my best interest. The lesson lasted for two hours and the difference is undeniable by the end of the recording. He helped me immensely.

The greatest day of my young life happened three months later when I finally received a letter of acceptance from UCLA, letting me know that somehow I had been chosen as one of their five. I credit this accomplishment solely to God, and Damien. After we began classes' teachers reviewed with us why he had gotten in. They looked at our audition tapes and explained certain things to us. Everything in the vocal audition that made me stand out were specifically things Damien had told me to do. Without him, not one of those habits would have been present at the audition.

I will never be able to thank him enough. I only hope to one day be able to thank him in a program biography for professional theater.

What Damien can do as a teacher, mentor, and friend are things that should never be taken for granted. He has a gift and I strongly recommend him for any kind of position. Whether it be as a private vocal coach, musical director, direction, or acting. He knows what he is doing and should be teaching at any college, at any level. I believe this firmly."

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"...I recently was awarded the lead in The Laguna Playhouse's (A professional Equity house in Southern California) production of "The Great Squirrel Uprising" that led to two other productions. I firmly believe that this is due to Mr. Lorton." (Read more)

"For over a year I have had the pleasure of having Damien Lorton as my vocal coach. He has strengthened my instrument, given me a much stronger understanding of my voice and how to use it properly, and taught me the techniques needed to go into any audition with confidence and courage.

Being a student of the UCLA Musical Theater BA Program, I was quite pleased in the education that I was receiving, however I wanted more time focused on me and my voice. I knew of Mr. Lorton through his production company, One More Productions, and was very impressed with the high caliber of his performances. I even had the opportunity to perform in a production of "A Chorus Line" for him that he directed and I had always been amazed that not only did he direct with such passion and understanding, but that he allowed the actors to have choices. He gave me and the others in the cast opportunities to not only create something new and alive, but the tools and education to take these new lessons into other arenas of our art as well as our lives.

As my vocal coach, Mr. Lorton, has taken me to new levels of not only understanding the music but expressing the music as well. I have learned with Mr. Lorton everything from ways to improve my technical aspects of preparation and choice of a song, to diaphragmatic breathing, to audition technique, to vocal strengthening and expansion of my range, to goal setting. I have learned to be a prepared individual both on and off the stage, having respect in both my art and in myself.

Mr. Lorton possesses excitement when he teaches. He is truly genuine in his actions and choices. He has allowed me to take the skills I’ve learned with him into the real world. I have gone on many more auditions while studying with Mr. Lorton and more importantly, have received even more callbacks. I recently was awarded the lead in The Laguna Playhouse's (A professional Equity house in Southern California) production of "The Great Squirrel Uprising" that led to two other productions. I firmly believe that this is due to Mr. Lorton.

In summary, I feel that Mr. Lorton is the perfect candidate for any serious actor looking for the vocal coach that can take them to the next level. Whether one is looking for that extra preparation they need for an audition or if they need to strengthen their core technique, Damien Lorton is the ideal teacher because of his understanding of music and voice from both the performer's and technical perspective. He has taught me the skills needed to make the right choices when performing music for auditions and performance alike. I would highly recommend him to any actor or performer."

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"I recently went to my first audition in three years, which Damien helped me fully prepare for, and I garnered a call back!" (Read more)

"I would like to take this opportunity to whole heartily recommend Damien Lorton as a voice coach/teacher. I have had a great journey with Damien since I began taking lessons from him in early 2006. During the last year, I have learned more from him than I have any other teacher.

Not only has he taught me excellent technique, he has taught me how to audition and pursue my hobby of musical theatre. Damien has helped me set personal goals (both performance and life goals), and has helped me expand my repertoire as a performer.

I recently went to my first audition in three years, which Damien helped me fully prepare for, and I garnered a call back!

If you are interested in becoming a better performer, there is no one better to aid you than Damien Lorton. With his passion for performance and his dedication to his students, he really can change your life for the better."

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