Meet the Young Actors HQ Team!
Our coaches are all professional working actors with extensive coaching & teaching experience. We offer tailored 1:1 coaching in the areas of film & TV, commercials, and voice over. Looking to understand more about the business side of the industry, seek guidance on how to create a demo reel, or receive tailored advice on how to pitch to agents? We also specialize in 1:1 business meetings!
Lauren Akemi Bradley
Lauren is an award-winning actor and Co-Founder of Young Actors HQ. As the driving force behind the YAHQ community, she leads with a clear vision: to cultivate a professional, supportive environment where young actors can grow.
Now one of the most sought-after youth acting coaches, Lauren has guided actors to book major roles, including series leads and recurring guest star appearances. Having begun her own career as a working actor at the age of 10, she brings both lived industry experience and a deep understanding of the evolving film and television landscape.
Through a personalized approach, Lauren customizes her coaching to each actor, empowering her students to make specific choices in their work that will stand out to casting!
Private Audition Coaching: $90 / hr (or $50 / half hr).
Private Custom Coaching: $100 / hr (or $60 / half hr).*
*Tailored, custom curriculum developed.
Jillian Walchuk
Jillian is a professional actor, producer, and Co-Founder of Young Actors HQ, with over a decade of experience training children, teens, and adults. She plays a key role in shaping YAHQ’s strategy, programming, and industry partnerships.
After relocating from the Canadian prairies to the West Coast to pursue her acting career, Jillian built an extensive resume across film, network television, and commercial work. Her firsthand industry experience informs her practical, strategic approach to coaching.
Jillian specializes in helping actors navigate the business side of the industry, refining personal brand, pursuing agency representation, and creating a clear path for long-term career growth.
Private Business Coaching: $90 / hr (or $50 / half hr).
Laura Adkin
Laura is an award winning writer, director, actor and producer who has spent more than two decades in front of and behind the camera. Laura uses her unique perspective as a filmmaker to help students learn how to properly communicate with directors and understand what they are looking for.
Everything Laura teaches is through the lens of the business of being an actor and she encourages her students to take a proactive approach to their careers and to always think outside of the box. Originally from Vancouver and based in LA Laura is able to provide a grounded understanding of what is current in all the major North American markets.
Private Coaching Rate: $85 / hour (or $50 / half hour).
Jessica Ocampo
Jessica is a well established and successful working actor. With an extensive resume in film, network tv, commercials and voice over, Jessica brings a wealth of industry experience to her coaching. Her charismatic and engaging personality sets the stage for fun, collaborative sessions with her students.
Jessica takes a student led approach and tailors her teaching to where the student is at. Jessica creates a safe space for students to explore their instrument and provides the tools to elevate your craft!
Private Coaching Rate: $85 / hour (or $50 / half hour).
Erin Neil
Erin is an Actor, Voice Actor, and Producer, born and raised in Grande Prairie, Alberta. While Erin loves acting on screen and stage, it’s the world of Voice Over that captured her heart.
Erin is a force in the Voice Over world, lending her talents to major companies including Sunlife and ATB Financial. In the wild world of Animation and Video Games, Erin has brought characters to life in the mobile video game “Mythic Heroes”, a variety of characters in multiple Poketoons Shorts, and most recently Sofia Callaghan in Nintendo’s “Another Code: Recollection”.
Erin loves working with students where they are at and having fun all the while. She strives to create a safe, supportive, and creative space for her students to flourish.
Private Coaching Rate: $85 / hour (or $50 / half hour).
Tiera Skovbye
Tiera was born & raised in the film & television industry, having started acting at the age of 7. With over 20+ years experience and nearly 50 professional credits, Tiera has found her success in both Canadian and US markets.
Her incredible scope of work includes 7 seasons of the smash-hit Riverdale, 2 seasons of Global TV and NBC's Nurses and most recently, leading the all new drama Ride airing on CW!
Tiera possesses a deep passion for education and nurturing the next generation of aspiring artists. With her commitment to and knowledge of both the industry and teaching, Tiera brings a unique blend of creativity and expertise to her role as an instructor and educator.
Private Coaching Rate: $85 / hour (or $50 / half hour).
Hannah Pederson
Hannah is a well-established actress, acting coach and writer in the TV/film industry. In addition to her time in front of the camera, Hannah has spent over a decade in casting, working for several well-known & Emmy award winning casting directors. With her keen eye for what works in the audition room, Hannah offers immense knowledge, with audition techniques that will greatly serve your career.
Hannah is passionate about tailoring her coaching style to the needs of each individual actor. Whether you are new to the Tv/film industry or a seasoned actor, Hannah will use her experience and a deep love for the craft, to build a safe, joyful, and creative space for you to hone your skills.
Private Coaching Rate: $85 / hour (or $50 / half hour).
Leah Hennessey
Leah Hennessey is a working actor with a lifelong love for the performing arts and a passion for inspiring young performers. As an enthusiastic and dedicated coach, she creates a fun, supportive, and safe environment where children of all ages can explore their creativity and grow in confidence.
Drawing on her professional acting career, her experience as a parent, and a strong background in teaching, Leah brings warmth, imagination, and encouragement to every session. She believes every child has a unique voice and talent, and she loves helping young performers discover their abilities while embracing the joy of storytelling and performance.
Private Coaching Rate: $85 / hour (or $50 / half hour).
Lillian Doucet-Roche
Lillian is a graduate of Studio 58, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA), the Canterbury Arts Theatre Program, and the Shakespeare Voice Intensive . With extensive training in musical theatre, classical theatre, Shakespeare, and film and television, she brings both strong technique and real-world industry experience into her teaching. Lillian has appeared and starred in film and television projects on Netflix, Prime, HBO Max, and Tubi.
As a coach, Lillian focuses on helping young actors develop confidence, emotional awareness, teamwork, and on-camera skills- whether they are brand new to acting or already auditioning. She is known for creating a supportive and encouraging environment, emphasizing kindness, play, and growth, while gently teaching discipline, focus, and self-trust. Lillian believes that when children feel safe and supported, their creativity truly shines.
Private Coaching Rate: $85 / hour (or $50 / half hour).
Tess Atkins
Tess has a rich background in acting and performance, with professional work spanning over 15 years. Tess fell in love with theatre at a young age, participating in her school productions as early as Grade 4!
She began her professional acting career at the age of 14, gaining valuable experience in various film and tv productions. She attended theatre school at Circle in the Square in New York, where she developed a strong foundation in voice work, acting for the stage, and movement.
Tess has experience working in movies of the week (MOWs), feature films, and episodic television. With her diverse background and expertise, Tess is dedicated to coaching young performers, helping them cultivate their skills and confidence in the craft of acting for the stage or the screen.
Private Coaching Rate: $85 / hour (or $50 / half hour).
NEWSLETTER
Stay Connected
Make sure you don't miss out on our latest tip videos, upcoming webinars, workshops, course offerings and more!
You're safe with me. I'll never spam you or sell your contact info.