MTCA Advising & Essay Services
Advising Services
MTCA is your one stop shop for all of your organizational needs throughout the college audition process.
MTCA offers a variety of College Advising Packages for all of your application planning needs. Our advisor, Amy Breslow is a two time MTCA Alumni mother. She’s gone through this process personally and knows exactly how stressful and complicated it can all feel. Working with our College Advisor saves parents time, energy, and frustration in guiding the organizational and strategic parts of the applying process, while allowing your child to focus on the artistic responsibilities.
If you are planning to work with Amy, we strongly recommend that you start now so you can avoid some of the common pitfalls that cause trouble for students in their senior year. Amy can aid you in everything from school list prep, class requirements for schools, SAT/ACT planning and more.
Amy Breslow
College Advisor
MSW in Social Work, University of Pennsylvania
BA in Psychology, University of Pittsburgh
She/Her
Amy was born and raised in the Philadelphia area. After completing her undergraduate degree (BA Psychology) at The University of Pittsburgh, Amy went on to receive her Master’s degree in Social Work from The University of Pennsylvania. She has been working with students and their families for over 25 years in a variety of settings. Amy started her private counseling practice 20 years ago and in the last 5 years she has seen a growing need for assistance in the area of college advising. Amy is committed to the belief that each individual has a unique set of talents, abilities and interests that can be enriched and developed with the proper guidance. She enjoys working with students to try to make the college application and audition scheduling process more fun and interesting, and less stressful, confusing, and anxiety-provoking. Amy resides in South Jersey with her husband and two children. Her oldest child is a recent MTCA alum. Being a college audition parent survivor combined with her social work/counseling background provides Amy with a unique perspective allowing her to offer comprehensive guidance to students and their families through the college process.
Essay Prep
If you’re auditioning for college theater programs, you know you’re doing a lot on top of the normal application process. You’re preparing songs and monologues, working on your dance skills, and recording prescreens — but one thing no one tells you is just how many essays you’ll be writing.
In addition to your Common App essay, you’ll be answering what can feel like a hundred variations on “why musical theater?” and “why our school?” Whether you’ve painstakingly completed your first draft or you’re staring at a blank screen, our essay coaches can help.
Lea Sevola
Essay Coach
BFA in Musical Theater from Ithaca College
She/Her
Lea Sevola is an actor/singer/dancer from Randolph, NJ. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Ithaca College with a BFA in Musical Theatre, and she is a proud MTCA alumna! In New York City she has worked alongside Broadway’s Mauricio Martinez in the workshop of Jaime Lozano’s new musical, Present Perfect. She is also a member of the USO Show Troupe, traveling nationwide singing for Veterans and active military at military bases, professional sporting events, and patriotic events. Lea’s acting career has taken her across the country to various regional theatres, and she has traveled to four Middle Eastern countries playing Wonder Woman in a touring Justice League show. In addition to her performing career, Lea prides herself on being a dedicated academic. While at Ithaca she achieved Dean’s List for 8 semesters and earned the Dean’s Award for graduating at the top of all Fine and Performing Arts students. She also graduated with Departmental Honors and Departmental Distinction. Lea tutors middle and high schoolers in English and writing as well as in SAT/ACT preparation. Lea has been guiding students through the college application process for several years, and working on the college essays and supplements is one of her favorite aspects of that work. She is also an avid writer herself and is eager to help her students share their unique personality and voice in their essays.
Natasha Warner
Essay Coach
MFA from Juilliard
BA from Barnard
AEA, SAG-AFTRA
she/her
Natasha received her BA from Barnard, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude, and her MFA from Juilliard. While at Juilliard Natasha received the Laura Pels Award, the Bill Irwin Scholarship, and the prestigious Goldman Fellowship for her teaching work. In the writing sphere, Natasha worked as a writing fellow at both Barnard and Juilliard; as well as working as a copywriter and grant writer. As an actor, Natasha has appeared at New York theaters including HERE Art Space, MCC, The Civilians, The Lark, and New York Performance Space (formerly PS 122). Regional credits include New York Stage and Film, SPACE on Ryder Farm, The Geva theater, Merrimack Repertory Theater, The White Heron, The Cape Playhouse, Boston Court, and the Gulfshore Playhouse. TV: Ground Floor (TBS); and Betas (Prime). Film: Odyssea (Slamdance) and Farah Goes Bang (TriBeCa). Upcoming: Space Cadet (Prime). Natasha also worked as a producer and on-set acting coach for the film The Unknown Country which premiered at SXSW in 2022. As a director and teaching artist, Natasha has worked at Juilliard, PlayMakers Rep, The Vineyard, Shakespeare at the Manor, Bellarmine Jefferson High-School, and with community programs like 52nd St. Project and Hunts Point Alliance for Children.
