Will Stokes is a New York City actor, singer, and producer. Will started their music career from a young age. First, they participated in a choir with the Florida Boy Choir. This ensemble allowed them to perform with the Saint Petersburg Opera in Carmen.  Additionally, through the Florida Boy Choir, they traveled the country performing in different churches and event spaces with the choir. For the choir, the boys would travel all across Florida, Georgia, even New Orleans performing in Latin, French, Italian, bebop’s, and jazz.

Soon, Will would discover the incredible world of musical theatre. Most notably, Will attended Stagedoor Manor each summer throughout middle and high school. Every summer was a way to really focus on one’s craft. Will took belting masterclasses, dance from contemporary to ballet, and performed in the our time cabaret troupe. Will loved playing various roles in cabaret, Chad in Diaster, and got to work on the camp movie workshop where they were interviewed by Seth Roudesky.

Will started taking private music lessons with Barrett School of Music when they were 13 years old. They studied directly under Laura Hollis for seven years. Every week was another week to connect and learn through music. Focusing on the importance of breath work even at a young age, have Will’s voice foundation, variety, and most importantly longevity. Voice lessons aided Will with routine and stability when everything else around them was changing. Getting to connect one on one with a teach who was excited to push Will to the next step, made the decision all the easier to join Barrett School of Music.

Will would help the studio and took over the Tampa studio for Laura while she was away. Working with different teachers, meeting the studios, curating and executing events was so invigorating, when Will and Laura performed in New York the following spring, they decided to embark on building a third branch of the studio in New York.

Throughout high school, Will developed a love for songwriting and music production. Consequently, at age 15, Will would go to Nashville to write and produce their music and songs. Eventually, they released the 2021 EP Poster Boy along with the self-produced music video Venus Fly Trap. Growing up listening to legends such as Amy Winehouse, Carole King, and Stevie Nicks, Will was always drawn to the raw emotions executed through their performances. Songwriting started as a therapy in a fun kind of way.

Currently, Will is on the film circuit, starring in the short film RAT PARK, directed by Elizabeth Bluhm. Additionally, Will starred in their cabaret-style show, A Fabulous Blonde, at the Green Room. Will is a NAACP nominated producer for their work on "Small Victories".Will is eager to pass everything he knows onto his students. The skill of being able to change between on camera acting and live theatre, changing one’s singing voice from punk rock to classical opera, and connecting the voice to the body are so essential in their lessons. Adaptability is everything.

“I’ve always loved teaching because I can be the teacher to a younger version of myself. It is an incredible gift to see a student not only grow as an artist, but also how they can grow into themselves, and I am grateful to be a part of that process.” Will Stokes

Will specializes in teaching voice, piano, ukulele, acting, and musical theatre. For any questions for information email either [email protected] or reach out to Will directly [email protected]