Story & Lesson Highlights with Kelly Meyersfield of North Hollywood

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Kelly Meyersfield. Check out our conversation below.

Kelly, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
My 13 year old performed (with a lot of coaxing and cajoling from his mom) in his school Music show. He sang Golden Hour by JVKE and he killed it. He started out nervous and as soon as he got a few cheers from the crowd a smile erupted and he had all this confidence and I was so proud!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Kelly Meyersfield, owner and executive director of the Professional and Musical Artists Workshop, an incredible acting school for all types of performing artists! I am also an actress, singer, writer and comedy performer. I took over PAW/MAW from its founder, the amazing Gary Imhoff, after studying with him for most of the last 25 years. I just celebrated my one year anniversary of the new gig! It’s been truly incredible. I love teaching and I am very passionate about helping artists.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I remember being at sleep away camp as a 6 year old—I went that young because I couldn’t bear being away from my older brother another summer so I followed him! Anyway, I was sitting outside by myself and I started to sing and I really liked the sound. It was the first time I had the idea that I was a singer! And I ran around the camp making everyone listen to me. I sang “I sing the body electric” from Fame. That moment changed me!

When did you last change your mind about something important?
I think I always had an idea about what I could and couldn’t do—I had fears that limited my ideas of what I could accomplish. I remember my predecessor asking me YEARS ago about teaching and absolutely knowing it was such a huge purpose of mine but having this thought like what authority do I have? Who wants to hear my thoughts or viewpoints? I was afraid to get up and assert that I know things. But since then I have been asked to direct some large scale theater projects and I have helped people one on one for as long as I can remember so when Gary asked me if I wanted to take over I jumped through any remnants of that limiting fear and said YES! And it’s been incredibly rewarding.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Probably helping. I always want to help my friends and now my career is based on helping. It’s my passion and purpose to lift people up. It’s why I love comedy. It’s why I perform. I want to help people—make them laugh, help them to feel less alone, help them to get on with their dreams.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace after teaching an amazing class and then going home to my babies. My babies are 3 and 13. My most important and favorite things about life are the rewards I get from creating, watching others create, giving them my insight and thoughts about their work…and coming home to chill with my adorable kids!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Kmartistsworkshop.com
• Instagram: @kmartistsworkshop @kellymeyersfield
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kellymeyersfield?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr