• Leah Elliott Hamilton

    Founder, Bright Dawn Media

  • Ella & Satchmo

    Office Assistants

I’m a teacher, a poet, and a lover of language.

I offer the following services:

  • 1:1 and group English communication coaching for psychology professionals

  • editing and proofreading for creative and academic writers

  • writing critiques and coaching

I have taught:

  • English to adult immigrants in the US

  • applied and academic music courses to university undergraduates

  • writing and literature to high school students

  • academic and life skills to adults with intellectual disabilities

  • creative writing to individuals in addiction recovery

My years of teaching have taught me that:

  • Everyone is intelligent.

  • We are all more alike than different.

  • We need each other to solve our common challenges.

“Leah has completely changed my mind about learning a foreign language and about teachers and classes in general. I don’t feel like I’m in a class. It’s a safe place for me where I can learn about life, music, nature, culture, and how to be a better human while improving my English.”

~Sofía, English student, Colombia

“Leah is able to tune into the needs of the other party, paying attention to important details—she notices areas for improvement while also knowing how to support and encourage, which is particularly important when one has doubts and uncertainties about their own skills. Leah is willing to tailor the lesson to the client's needs, asking in advance what the content will be so she can prepare accordingly.

“I especially appreciate her willingness to engage in role-play exercises because, even though it's training, such activities can be uncomfortable for many people. Thanks to her expertise not only in language but also in social / emotional intelligence, sessions with Leah can be valuable for psychological consultants and trainers who focus on teaching soft skills/communication skills and need to focus on linguistic nuances in expression, as well as on the content and emotional aspects of communication.”

~Marie S., 1:1 client, psychologist, entrepreneur, Czechia

My role as a teacher and communication coach is to support your natural ability to learn.

Given the right conditions, humans will learn as naturally as flowering plants will blossom. My role is to provide those conditions. I do this by:

  • creating a space of mutual trust and respect

  • providing authentic and engaging content for language instruction

  • asking questions that require high levels of thinking

  • encouraging questions

  • providing clear explanations and opportunities to apply new learning

I hold B.A. and M.M. degrees in music, vocal performance. I approach language as first and foremost a sound-based system and speech as an embodied activity. What this means for you as a communication client is that if pronunciation is a concern for you, I can help you address this with specific physical instructions so you’re not guessing at how to produce the sounds you need in order to communicate clearly.

“I highly recommend Leah because she creates a comfortable environment in her sessions. She offers corrections when necessary, always with warmth and encouragement. Above all, she provides prompt and valuable feedback on assignments.”

~Marina P., 1:1 client, psychotherapist, Spain

My role as an editorial professional is to support your words and your work.

I provide editing and proofreading services to help you communicate as clearly and effectively as possible. Together we can work through creative blocks, tackle conceptual challenges, and develop a disciplined writing practice. I will help you eliminate errors and shape your words into high-impact messaging for your audience and community.

“I used Bright Dawn's editing services, because I had become stuck with my book. Leah's feedback was timely, clear, and constructive. She didn’t try to change the tone of my book as I had feared. I didn’t feel pressured at all. Instead she opened my eyes to possibilities for me to consider. She helped me understand how the wording I chose may be perceived and helped me see my own writing with fresh eyes so I could make changes I thought were appropriate and become more clear in the direction I wanted to take to finish my book.” 

~Rachel Adorno, editorial client, author and community organizer

I care about your success as though it were my own. Because it is.

I mean this not in the typical “happy clients are good for business” sense, even though this is true. I believe our fates are all more interconnected than we often appreciate, and I believe in the power of clear language and communication as a tool of personal and interpersonal empowerment.

Language is my strength and gift to offer as we all work toward better ways of being and relating in our world.

In learning, life, and love, we’re all here to practice.

Learn more about my editorial services here.

Learn more about my poetry here and also here.

Request the free bundle of English communication resources for psychology professionals or register for monthly group coaching sessions.

“Leah is an excellent teacher, so professional, the program met my expectations. She is so kind, she has extensive knowledge of English. She is very empathetic. It has been a great experience to meet her.”

~Mariana N., 1:1 client, psychotherapist, psychoanalyst, Mexico

“It’s great to find people from other areas of the world, to know podcasts and articles that I did not know before, to have the opportunity to meet people and have real conversations, and Leah is a fantastic teacher and ‘group manager’. It has been a wonderful time of learning and fun. I really liked the experience, it gives me insights not only in communication but as a human being as a whole.”

~Eduardo M., group coaching member, psychotherapist and professor, Brazil

English Student Testimonials

  • "Leah is an excellent teacher! In addition to being fully committed to her work, she is fully committed to each of her students. For those of us who speak Spanish, add the plus of knowing our language. The explanations are very clear. The classes are dynamic, entertaining, and in addition to learning English, we always learn about some other interesting topic."

    Maria Celia, English student

  • “I always enjoy Leah’s English class. She is very open-minded and friendly, which makes class very enjoyable and comfortable. She is also intelligent. Every time I have questions, she explains very clearly. She loves music! We all enjoy listening to the music she shares during class!"

    Hanako, English student

  • "Leah has changed my mind about learning a foreign language, and about teachers and classes in general. There are no wrong questions for her, she was made to teach! I really appreciate how respectful she is with everyone, our different points of view, backgrounds, and English levels. I don’t feel like I’m in a class. It’s a safe place for me where I can learn about life, culture, music, nature, and how to be a better human while I’m improving my English."

    Sofía, English student

  • “I learned English with Leah, and she is an extremely good teacher. She is a very professional person and dedicated to what she does. She really has the talent to teach other people. She has good communication with students and teaches you everything step by step. I personally learned a lot from her and I really recommend her to people who want to learn English.”

    Abraham, English student

  • “The English class I've been taking with Teacher Leah for almost a year has been the best class I've had, because it has helped me reach the point of feeling confident enough to open my own business and interact with groups of people who have businesses also. This is all thanks to the confidence in the language that I have gained and the miraculous improvement in my grammar, all thanks to Teacher Leah. Now she also checks my business documents to make sure everything is professional and correct, and with her support, I feel driven to help others.”

    Herlinda, English student and entrepreneur

  • "Feeling scared, shy and embarrassed are now not part of my life when I'm taking the class. I feel free, comfortable and happy to learn more with Leah! Again, thank you so much, this word is too short for all that is in my heart and mind for you!"

    Sara, English student

  • “Leah can teach English kindly and carefully. Also, she uses beautiful poems and fun games to teach it. She is a writer and very emotional, so she can teach the deep meaning of the sentences. I really enjoyed doing that with her. When I asked some questions, she answered until I was able to get them.”

    Yuri, English student

Editorial Client Testimonials

  • "Leah saved my story! She kickstarted my stalled piece of short fiction to completion with suggestions on character development, plot improvement, and ideas for moving forward with the story. On top of that, I got a close edit for grammar and punctuation. All of this in an efficient and timely manner. It was way beyond your average editing service."

    Donna Banta, author of Mormon Erotica, False Prophet, and Seer Stone

  • “I used Bright Dawn's editing services, because I had become stuck with my book. Leah's feedback was timely, clear, and constructive. She didn’t try to change the tone of my book as I had feared. I didn’t feel pressured at all. Instead she opened my eyes to possibilities for me to consider. She helped me understand how the wording I chose may be perceived and helped me see my own writing with fresh eyes so I could make changes I thought were appropriate and become more clear in the direction I wanted to take to finish my book.”

    Rachel Adorno, author and community organizer

  • "Leah is a professional, reliable, and highly competent writer and proofreader. She has delivered a range of challenging editorial and proofreading projects, often under pressure and to short deadlines, yet always to the highest quality. Leah is a reassuring presence in any editorial team, in that she is consistently communicative, detail-oriented and confident in her work."

    Alex, Civilization Research Institute

  • “I recently needed some feedback on a 1,500-word essay that I had been working on for a while. Leah's editing provided me with practical guidance and insightful comments and questions to strengthen the essay. She noted areas in the essay that were working as well as areas that needed further development and clarity. Her feedback was clear, constructive, and timely. It was easy to work with Leah and I would highly recommend her for authors who are seeking feedback on their nonfiction writing.”

    Sheri R. Klein, artist and author

  • "Leah is skilled in both writing and visual style. She has a keen attention to detail, and a refined aesthetic sense. Furthermore, she has a way with words, and is a strong editor and proofreader. Would highly recommend."

    Arielle Friedman, writer and editor at Liminal magazine

Member Editorial Freelancers Association
Bright Dawn Media

English language education. Editorial services.

We’re all here to practice.