Isabel has trained as an actor and teacher in both the U.S. and Italy, focusing on physical theater and psychologically based methods of acting. She has taught acting to singers for over a decade both nationally and internationally, during which time she has developed her own very personal style and vocabulary for the training of young singers.

Her psycho-physical approach synthesizes opera performance traditions with the work of acting teachers such as Michael Chekhov, Uta Hagen, Lee Strasberg and Anne Bogart (Viewpoints) into a highly physical, unified method that strengthens audition skills, emboldens stage presence, and fuels character development. Within the inspiring arena of her classes, she guides her students to create charged, multidimensional and compelling characters.

In combination with acting and physical training, Ms. Milenski brings to her students an intense focus on translation and interpretation of operatic texts. Her fluency in Italian and French, and her working knowledge of German, are indispensible in helping students conquer the challenges of nuanced acting in foreign languages.

Milenski incisively identifies individual performing challenges and addresses them with enthusiasm, accessible tools and rigor. Her students have gone on to perform at the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera and Santa Fe Opera, to name just a few.