Our grade 7 and 8 class has just finished a wonderful two-day session with Ms. Milano and the “Act Up” drama program. It was an incredibly fun, educational, and inspiring experience. Ms. Milano began by establishing our learning goals (personal improvement through dramatic arts) and quickly created an environment that was both safe and encouraging for the students.

She used drama warm up games to build trust, and soon after, the students were fully engaged in improv activities that were very rewarding, and of course, entertaining. The program then built towards a short, three-scene play that included a scripted role for every student. The drama content was exceptionally valuable for the students as they were able to tap into new skills, build new connections with each other, and surprise themselves and each other with their impressive performances.

But the workshop was more than just a fun drama experience. Ms. Milano was able to deftly integrate her lessons on mindfulness, personal interaction, and our need to unplug from our devices. She did so in a way that the students could see first-hand the benefits and rewards of: creating spontaneous connections, being “in the moment”, using mindful breathing techniques, and quieting the noise around us. Most importantly, Ms. Milano conveyed these messages and facilitated the experiences for the students in a competent, caring, and respectful manner. She made an immediate impact on the students and she quickly established a bond with not only the group, but with many individual students as well. 

Ms. Milano is a wonderful teacher, a skilled actor, and a caring advocate for personal mental health. I can’t recommend her program enough. Your school and your students will be lucky to have her.

Michael Martins

Teacher, All Saints Catholic Elementary School

I am writing this letter of recommendation on behalf of Ramona Milano. She was a guest instructor for my Grade 11 drama class and did some work on improvisation with the students. I cannot stress how much fun the students had while learning about presenting for an audience.  

The students absolutely loved having her in the class and have been asking to have her return at some point!  I found her to be well prepared and incredibly in tune with the student’s abilities.  I would not hesitate in having her return to work with my class again.

Edward Skibinski

Drama Teacher, Christ the King Secondary School, Georgetown, ON.

Dear Ramona,

I am writing to thank you for volunteering at our Boys’ and Girls’ night in, two years in a row on behalf of St. André Bessette staff and students. The reason for this night was to promote Wellness, both physical and mental. I truly believe that you created an environment of acceptance during your sessions with our children. This allowed our students to feel safe and respected, which in turn, allowed them to be themselves and express their true feelings. Through your talent, you helped so many kids reach their potential and venture out of their comfort zone because of the confidence that was instilled. The drama you provided for our students can be linked to Dufferin Peel’s virtues and the Graduate Expectations, as it positively affects so many areas of personal growth, imparting compassion, acceptance, and empathy. It can foster a reflective, creative and holistic thinker.

Drama lends to creating a collaborative contributor and an effective communicator. Our students learned without realizing that they were learning because they had so much fun in your session. I hope that you are able to continue to work with our school on a more consistent basis. Our students would be all the better for their time with you. Your expertise, enthusiasm, and genuine love for your craft is demonstrated through your work with children.

Once again, on behalf of our school and myself, thank you so very much for generously giving of your time and talent to benefit our students.

Lisa Schiavi

Special Ed Resource Teacher at St. Andre Bissette Catholic Elementary School, Brampton, ON.

I have owned my dance and music school in Toronto for close to 15 years, and during that time I have invited various guest teachers from the tv, film and stage industry to work with my students. One workshop that stood out with my students was conducted by Ramona Milano. She was extremely generous by sharing her knowledge and passion of acting with my young students. It was a fun, engaging and educational workshop that taught students the basics of acting, stage presence and artistic expression. We look forward to having Ramona join us again at the Beaches Dance & Music Studio!

Stacey-Lea Marhue

Owner/Artistic Director of Beaches Dance & Music Studio, Toronto, ON.

I recently had the great pleasure of having Ramona Milano generously give her time to lead our GEMS girls group (which is similar to Girl Guides) through a drama class to help achieve their drama badge. Ramona led a group of 15 girls aged 10 to 13, as well as 3 adults, in an improv lesson that lasted about an hour.

Ramona was an amazing teacher and leader for the group. She was able to immediately connect with the girls through a discussion in a circle. I was impressed with her ability to get to know them through being interested in them, their opinions and affirming their contribution to the discussion through positive reinforcement. She was always encouraging throughout the exercises, no matter what kind of acting ability there was. We felt safe from judgment, which helped us get out of our heads and into our intuition.

I was also very impressed with her ability to direct 18 people through different exercises. We started off with warmup exercises and then moved onto two different improv exercises. The girls listened to her instruction very well. Even though sometimes the girls became very excited and animated, Ramona was always able to steer them in the right direction in a positive and upbeat way.  

Ramona has a gift for teaching and for passing on her magic to others. She is truly an aspiration leader for children who are interested in drama. I would recommend Ramona for any teaching or instructional program that involves acting or improv.

Nicole de Larzac

GEMS Leader

When I was in the 7th grade, my mom signed me up for a theatre class – essentially forcing me to get out of the comforts of my own silo. Convinced I wasn’t going to fit in or like it, I anticipated the worst and pleaded with my mom to let me decide after my first class whether or not I would continue. Although I had no experience with theatre and despite my own feelings of insecurity, my awkward and self-conscious 13 year-old-self had no other choice but to attend. Little did I know it would open up a realm of possibilities for me that extended far beyond the walls of Ramona’s drama studio

Throughout my 6 years with Ramona I made friendships, connections to theory and practice, developed and challenged myself, produced, performed, critiqued, laughed, cried, shared, and grew alongside the peers I was initially so terrified I wouldn’t fit in with. Not only was Ramona’s pedagogy one I follow to this day when it comes to the performing arts, she also provided me with the necessary social skills for the 21st century workforce. ​Having a professional actress as a mentor, teacher, and friend who was somehow able to connect and dedicate time to each and every one of us (individually and within a group setting) speaks volumes.

That being said, one of the things I admire most about Ramona is her passion for what she does and her drive to help others find theirs. Because of Ramona and her various lessons, the once awkward and self-critical teen left her class with confidence and expertise in the field of theatre. Ramona and SVDS were there for me during all the turbulences of my youth, helping guide and encourage me through the auditions and University applications to various theatre programs. Although this was not the career path I ended up perusing, I truly believe Ramona’s class helped launch my undergraduate degree and my career.

With all this being said I am confident that anyone interested in drama/theatre will appreciate Ramona’s unconventional, exciting and challenging approach to teaching drama. Thank you for creating a safe and inclusive environment that encouraged self-exploration. But above all, thank you for helping me find my voice.

Brooklyn Sanford

BA, University of Waterloo BEd, University of Ontario Institute of Technology

SVDS gave me a safe space to explore my creativity and grow throughout the entirety of my adolescence. Under no other instructor have I been able to learn both the craft of acting and how to navigate the arts as an industry as efficiently as with Ramona Milano. Ramona is a mentor to me who gave my guidance creatively, professionally, and personally when I needed it most. I hope she knows just how much she did at SVDS to shape its students and prepare them both for the arts as an industry and the reality of life. I went to SVDS to learn the art of acting. What I found was a passionate and experienced mentor; a safe space with open-minded and encouraging individuals; and the skills I needed not only to succeed in a hard industry, but in life. 

Kyle Gray

Marketing Coordinator at Pink Triangle Press

Mona creates an open and welcoming environment in her classes. As a shy high school student, her lessons helped beyond measure with my confidence, I still carry the skills I learned from her to this day. In my adolescent years, speaking in a classroom, or even talking with my peers was a challenge. So joining Mona’s class was a very new experience for me, but I am so glad I did! Mona is also one of the most supportive instructors I have ever had in any capacity. Practicing scenes in front of the group was a little daunting at first, but would get much easier over time. Her critiques of the scenes we worked on were always constructive and kind, she would always make clear that we were all there to help each other up, not bring each other down. It was her energy, thoughtfulness, and support that helped me become the person I am today. Now as an adult, I have been successful in running large group meetings and workshops with fortitude and poise. I will never forget my time in Mona’s class!

Justin Maalouf

B.A. at UofT in Art History and Classical Studies, Master of Library and Information Science at Western University

Growing up I was always shy, so I decided to enrol in a recreational drama class to help
increase confidence. Shortly after taking up classes with Mona I really discovered my passion for the Arts. Not only was able to use my classes as a creative outlet, but I was also able to work on my public speaking skills. I studied with Mona for a few years and participated in many unique performances (The Breakfast Club was my personal fav!). I ended up applying to a local Arts high school where I had to perform a monologue as part of my audition. Mona helped me prepare until it felt absolutely perfect. I ended up being accepted and went on to study drama for the next four years. Although I did not pursue a career in the arts (I now work in sales) the skills I learned in Mona’s drama studio outstandingly prepared me for my endless sales presentations. Thank you, Mona!

Mara Markham

Strategic Development Manager

Ramona is my go-to acting coach. She propelled my growth as a performer, and she consistently helps me dig deeper and trust my instincts with language and thought-provoking exercises.

Emilie Wilkinson

Actor & Comedian

Ramona’s honest feedback and creative ways to help you achieve the scene goals make the journey effortless. She is a gem.

Chhavi Disawar

Writer/Actor

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Ramona on my self-tapes. She has a great ability to direct actors and bring out the truth in their performances. Ramona made me feel comfortable to explore and create without fear of judgement, which greatly boosted my confidence in my work.

Nobahar Dadui

Actor
Professional Figure Skater
Movement & Flexibility Coach

Ramona really knows when and how to make you feel proud of what you’re doing and also when and how to correct or encourage more from you without you ending the session feeling like you can’t do anything right. She was quick to pivot and work the scene or instruction from a different angle. She is genuinely interested in YOU and how YOUR mind works. Her warm-ups are relaxing and soothing and I found my mindset was shifting, even after only 6 sessions.Her acting techniques, breath work, mental strength and agility, boosted my confidence in trusting my gut. She was always so flexible and accommodating with rescheduling.

Meliah Brauweiler