WELCOME

Hi, I’m Adam! And a few years ago, I was a high school music teacher with a big, scary dream.

I spent years studying passion, motivation, and what makes people come alive. I even wrote my master’s thesis trying to understand how people find the courage to take those crazy bold leaps. And yet, I wasn’t following my own advice. I was playing it safe, wondering if it was too late, too selfish, or too uncertain to go all in.

And after almost 10 years of dreaming, I finally leapt. I quit my day job, stepped into the unknown, and everything changed.

Over the past decade, I’ve lived my dream as a professional actor and musician, bringing stories to life on stage and in rehearsal rooms across the country. I’ve coached artists, leaders, and creative professionals who are ready to shake off fear and start building the lives they know deep down they’re meant to live. I speak on stages to remind people of the power of purpose. And I stay grounded in the belief that the arts, coaching, and education are all rooted in the same thing: helping people come alive.

All of my research and lived experience has taught me one thing: modeling is everything. Sometimes, the only way we believe change is possible is by seeing someone else go first. That’s what I aim to do in every space I enter, whether it’s a keynote, a coaching session, or a creative collaboration. I want to reflect back to you your innate genius, your enormous value, and the unique light only you can share with the world.

So let’s find it together.

With an immeasurable amount of gratitude,

Short Bio

Adam LaSalle is an actor, musician, speaker, and coach whose unique career embodies the creative reinvention he champions. After transitioning from education—where he worked with Teach For America and prestigious arts schools—Adam built a successful performing career spanning television, film, music, and theatre. 

His credits include NBC's Chicago Fire, Off-Broadway's Spamilton as King George, and leading roles in regional productions of 2 Pianos 4 Hands, Elf the Musical, and more. A multi-instrumentalist (voice, piano, guitar, bass, ukelele, percussion), his voice can be heard in national campaigns for McDonald's and CodeCombat.

He is the founder of The Adam LaSalle Studio, helping others find their spark and design their own big, exciting, creative lives. Drawing from both worlds—nurturing others' talents and pursuing his own artistic excellence—Adam empowers individuals to align their careers with their deepest values and boldest aspirations.

 
Selected Credits

    • Fail-Safe - Lead, The Control Room

    • K1W1 - Lead, Make It Up Media

    • The Third Act - Lead, University of New Haven

    • In Real Life - Supporting, OpenTV

    • Chicago Fire (NBC) - Co-Star, dir. Stephen Cragg

    Learn more on IMDb

    • Spamilton - King George, Forbidden Broadway

    • The King's Wife (Developmental Reading) - Cardinal, Paramount Theatre

    • 2 Pianos 4 Hands - Ted, Northlight Theatre

    • Spamilton (Chicago premiere) - King George/Pianist/Music Director, Royal George Theatre

    • Beautiful: The Carole King Musical - Righteous Brother/Nick, Marriott Theatre Lincolnshire

    • Holiday Inn - Hollywood Director, u/s Jim, Marriott Theatre Lincolnshire

    • Darling Grenadine - u/s Harry, Marriott Theatre Lincolnshire

    • Pinkalicious - Mr. Pinkerton, Marriott Theatre Lincolnshire

    • Junie B. Jones - Dad/Mr. Scary, Marriott Theatre Lincolnshire

    • Elf the Musical - Standby for Buddy the Elf (performed), Drury Lane Theatre

    • Forever Plaid - Francis, Theatre at the Center

    • Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story - MC, Apollo DJ, Keys, Maine State Music Theatre

    • Elf the Musical - Buddy the Elf, First Stage Theatre

    • Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery - Actor 1, Theatre SilCo

    • Murder for Two - Marcus Moscowitz, Actors Theatre of Indiana

    • Lombardi - Michael McCormick, Actors Theatre of Indiana

    • New Faces Sing Broadway: 1941 - Singer, Porchlight Music Theatre

    • Rise of Kingdoms - Principal, Toasty/YouTube

    • Jim Beam - Principal, Canadian Club Whiskey

    • McDonald's - Principal, Food Journey Campaign

    • Ozaria (video game) - Principal, CodeCombat

  • Senior Customer Success Manager & Relationship Builder, CodeCombat
    (March 2021-August 2024)
    New York, NY

    • Designed and facilitated workshops and events that inspired growth, ignited creativity, and equipped clients with tools for long-term success

    • Designed and implemented systems to help clients and teams succeed, emphasizing collaboration and continuous learning

    Creative Development Mentor, The Chicago High School for the Arts
    (July 2017-March 2021)
    Chicago, IL

    • Designed character-driven curricula focused on grit, self-reflection, and personal growth, empowering students to uncover their unique talents and authentic voices

    • Led transformative professional learning experiences for educators, fostering innovative teaching methods and cultivating stronger, more connected learning communities

    Arts Leadership Coach & Community Builder, Noble Network of Charter Schools
    (July 2014-July 2016)
    Chicago, IL

    • Guided teachers to unlock their potential and inspired students to embrace their unique talents to nurture self-expression and build skills for a lifetime

    • Fostered meaningful collaborations with arts organizations, creating transformative experiences that opened doors and broadened horizons for students across Chicago

    Teacher & Community Advocate, Teach For America
    (July 2012-July 2014)
    Memphis, TN

    • Inspired students to embrace the power of storytelling and critical thinking through innovative teaching strategies

    • Led community initiatives, including establishing a school library, to foster a culture of growth and joy

  • Founder & Lead Coach, The Adam LaSalle Studio
    (October 2024-Present)
    New York, NY

    • Conduct one-on-one and group coaching sessions to help clients overcome obstacles, clarify goals, and take meaningful action toward their aspirations

    • Utilize evidence-based methodologies to support clients in developing self-awareness, resilience, and strategic decision-making skills

    • Track client progress through key performance indicators, ensuring measurable growth and alignment with personal and professional goals

    • Develop and deliver custom workshops and coaching programs designed to inspire transformation and sustainable success

    • Maintain a 100% client satisfaction rate with 96% of first-time clients returning for continued coaching

    Explore Coaching


    Inspirational and Motivational Speaker
    (October 2024-Present)

    • Deliver engaging keynotes and workshops at high schools, universities, and organizations nationwide

    • Focus on topics including grit, self-love, finding your creative spark, and the transformative power of reinvention

    • Draw on personal journey from education to professional acting to inspire authentic change

    • Facilitate interactive workshops on creative development and career transitions

    Explore Speaking

    • Actors' Equity Association (AEA)

    • SAG-AFTRA Eligible

    • International Coaching Federation (Candidate)

Even from a young age, Adam never liked wearing socks. And he always had an instrument in his hand.

Even from a young age, Adam never liked wearing socks. And he always had an instrument in his hand.

He found community amongst those who loved music theory, acting class, and choral harmonies that made you feel all warm inside.

He found community amongst those who loved music theory, acting class, and choral harmonies that made you feel all warm inside.

In his college days, LaSalle thought that scarves made him look cool, so he wore them when he would play at open mics. At the time of this writing, he still agrees with that premise.

In his college days, LaSalle thought that scarves made him look cool, so he wore them when he would play at open mics. At the time of this writing, he still agrees with that premise.

He traveled to Italy to study opera conducting, but found himself spending every day writing his own music, dreaming about being an actor, and teaching himself new instruments.

He traveled to Italy to study opera conducting, but found himself spending every day writing his own music, dreaming about being an actor, and teaching himself new instruments.

LaSalle took every gig that he could get his hands on. Or, rather, that one that his friend had booked in a basement. Ope - that's not right. The one that Adam and his friend had self-produced in Adam's basement. Yep, that's it.

LaSalle took every gig that he could get his hands on. Or, rather, that one that his friend had booked in a basement. Ope - that's not right. The one that Adam and his friend had self-produced in Adam's basement. Yep, that's it.

LaSalle continued to love scarves, hate socks, and devote himself to playing music with friends, but convinced himself that he'd need to "grow up" and silence his creative dreams.

LaSalle continued to love scarves, hate socks, and devote himself to playing music with friends, but convinced himself that he'd need to "grow up" and silence his creative dreams.

So, he pursued teaching, got a Masters studying education and passion, but couldn't quite get that passionate music and theatre kid out of him!

So, he pursued teaching, got a Masters studying education and passion, but couldn't quite get that passionate music and theatre kid out of him!

He took a risk: LaSalle quit his teaching job to pursue his childhood dream of being an actor. And his life began to flourish.

He took a risk: LaSalle quit his teaching job to pursue his childhood dream of being an actor. And his life began to flourish.

Adam now works across the country, creating a new community of kind, ambitious, and creative people - actors, musicians, theatre makers, and more - that he's humbled to call his colleagues and friends.

Adam now works across the country, creating a new community of kind, ambitious, and creative people - actors, musicians, theatre makers, and more - that he's humbled to call his colleagues and friends.

He knows it's nothing short of a miracle that he's pursuing a big, exciting, creative life, because for a long time he didn't. But he followed his heart, took a huge risk, and wants everyone in the world to know they're capable of doing it too!

He knows it's nothing short of a miracle that he's pursuing a big, exciting, creative life, because for a long time he didn't. But he followed his heart, took a huge risk, and wants everyone in the world to know they're capable of doing it too!

He's deeply humbled by the opportunities he's been given, and wants to help others feel that same sense of joy, fulfillment, and gratitude in their lives. Young Adam would never believe how far Present Adam has come.

He's deeply humbled by the opportunities he's been given, and wants to help others feel that same sense of joy, fulfillment, and gratitude in their lives. Young Adam would never believe how far Present Adam has come.

Featured Press

  • Get to know 2 musicians in Northlight’s ‘2 Pianos 4 Hands’

    Chicago Tribune

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  • Trust Your Gut: Breaking Free & Living with Purpose

    The Inul Chowdhury Show

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  • Miles to Go: Sing Us a Song — Don’t Miss Dueling Pianos Next Time at the Studios

    Keys Weekly

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  • Arts Avenue: ELF - The Musical at First Stage

    WISN 12 News

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  • Behind the Curtain with Two Pianos Four Hands

    WGN Radio Video

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  • Behind the Scenes of 'Lombardi'

    Actors Theatre of Indiana

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