Our review of MasterClass: All your questions answered about how it works and the best celebrity-led online classes to take

Who better than Shonda Rhimes or Serena Williams could teach you how to write for television or hit a tremendous backhand?

Unfortunately, it is difficult to communicate with 23-time Grand Slam champions and renowned showrunners. MasterClass is thereby bridging the gap by enlisting the most talented individuals to teach us their trade secrets.

MasterClass targets a different demographic than the majority of e-learning platforms, which focus on teaching hard skills such as cloud computing and UX design.

You can learn about writing, cuisine, sports, business, and wellness, among other topics, each of which is taught by an authority. Access to all of the site's courses is available for $180 a year.

MasterClass is one of our favourite educational venues upon which we report (as well as one of our go-to gifts). The films have a high level of production value, the courses are fascinating and quick-paced, and you receive both practical tools and insights into the lives of our favourite celebrities.

MasterClass FAQs:

How much does MasterClass cost?

MasterClass' annual subscription costs $180 ($15 per month), which grants you access to all programmes until you cancel.

How does MasterClass work?

On average, MasterClass sessions last between two and five hours, with individual lessons lasting between two and five minutes. Classes consist of instructor-recorded video lessons, a class workbook, interactive tasks, and sometimes community service. MasterClass may provide students with opportunity to submit work for instructor critique, but this is not the standard.

Is MasterClass worth it?

If you plan to utilise MasterClass more than a handful of times each year, the annual pass may be worthwhile. Consider alternative online learning sites, such as Coursera or edX, if you choose not to or if you require something more intensive or typically academic.

Some of the best MasterClass courses:

The Power of Empathy

Pharrell Williams, Robin Arzón, Roxane Gay, Walter Mosley, Robert Reffkin, Gloria Steinem, and Cornel West discuss the value of empathy.

In MasterClass's first multi-course, multi-instructor series, The Power of Empathy, renowned performers, authors, entrepreneurs, and activists discuss what it means to live an empathic life from many viewpoints.

Anna Wintour Teaches Creativity and Leadership

Anna Wintour will teach you inventiveness and leadership.

Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue, has been the subject of films and books, but what makes her such an influential fashion icon? In this MasterClass, Wintour offers advice on making difficult decisions, leading with your intuition, and managing a trustworthy team. Here is a review of the course.

Chris Voss Teaches the Art of Negotiation

Chris Voss will instruct you on the art of negotiating.

During his tenure as a hostage negotiator for the FBI, Chris Voss mastered every aspect of communication and compromise. While everyday discussions may not be as high-stakes, Voss's tactics can help you get the outcomes you desire, whether it's a promotion at work or a major relationship decision. Here is a review of the course.

Samuel L. Jackson Teaches Acting

Learn acting techniques from Samuel L. Jackson

It is difficult to believe that Samuel L. Jackson had a stutter as a child, one that prevented him from speaking for a year. You may learn about how he overcome this challenge to become an Oscar nominee in this acting course that focuses on character development.

Thomas Keller Teaches Cooking Techniques

Learn cooking skills with Thomas Keller

Numerous Michelin stars have been granted to Thomas Keller's restaurants, such as The French Laundry, and guests anxiously wait months for appointments. In his MasterClass, he explains the fundamentals of some of the most important cooking methods, such as braising and preparing stocks. This page contains a review of this course and other MasterClass cookery courses.

Ron Finley Teaches Gardening

Gardening instruction from Ron Finley

Ron Finley has initiated a movement centred on gardening as an unusual form of protest. Finley was issued an arrest notice in 2011 for planting fruits and vegetables on the kerbside strip in front of his South Central Los Angeles home, which is a food desert. Two years later, his narrative influenced the modification of LA legislation, and ten years later, he helped plant hundreds of community gardens. Finley instructs students in his MasterClass on how to cultivate their own food, how to prevent dying their plants, and the beauty and fellowship found in good food. Here is a review of the course.

Hillary Rodham Clinton Teaches the Power of Resilience

Learn the significance of tenacity from Hillary Rodham Clinton

Hillary Clinton reads her potential 2016 victory speech for the first time ever, sharing wisdom from her decades-long political career as former first lady, US senator, Secretary of State, and first female US presidential nominee. Learn more about the course and the MasterClass White House series on this page.

Serena Williams Teaches Tennis

Tennis instruction from Serena Williams

To become a professional, you must practise like one. Experience the same drills that Serena performs on a daily basis and gain insight into the importance of mental toughness in the game.

Questlove Teaches DJing

Discover music selection and DJing with Questlove.

The legendary DJ, Grammy winner, and drummer for The Roots, Questlove, teaches collecting and mixing music. You will learn how to switch between genres to create the ideal playlist, whether for yourself or to wow your friends.

Margaret Atwood Teaches Creative Writing

Margaret Atwood will teach the craft of creative writing.

Writer's block is a significant obstacle, but hopefully some inspiration from Margaret Atwood can help you overcome it. The Man Booker Prize-winning author's courses focus on character development, point of view, and novel structure.

Annie Leibovitz Teaches Photography

Photography lessons with Annie Leibovitz

Annie Leibovitz is the first woman to hold the position of chief photographer at "Rolling Stone," among her many other accomplishments. Here, she explains her photography philosophy and demonstrates how a shot comes to life.

Christina Aguilera Teaches Singing

Christina Aguilera teaches you how to sing.

Whether you wish to hone your vocal technique or have no musical experience beyond singing "happy birthday" to your friends, Christina Aguilera has the tools to help you take your singing to the next level. The Grammy Award-winning artist provides practical advice on how to improve your sound, as well as career anecdotes.

Apollonia Poilâne Teaches Bread Baking

Bread preparation instruction from Apollonia Poilane

Apollonia Poilane, the third-generation baker and CEO of the renowned Parisian bakery Poilane, instructs you on how to use all of your senses to prepare the perfect loaf from scratch. She discusses best practises baking a range of French breads with warmth and clarity, including rustic wheat, rye, brioche, and her favourite sourdough loaves.

Neil deGrasse Tyson Teaches Scientific Thinking and Communication

Neil deGrasse Tyson teaches you how to think like a scientist

Neil deGrasse Tyson's accomplishments include Ivy League degrees, best-selling books, and a Grammy award. In this course, a renowned astrophysicist will help you get insight into the thinking of a scientist, equipping you with numerous techniques to enhance your ability to think and communicate.

Carlos Santana Teaches the Art and Soul of Guitar

Carlos Santana will teach you how to play the guitar.

This course is probably not for you if you're seeking a traditional, technical guitar lesson. If, on the other hand, you're interested in learning how one of the world's most prominent guitarists approaches the instrument, finds musical inspiration, and develops his distinctive style, you'll like this class with Carlos Santana.

Bob Iger Teaches Business Strategy and Leadership

Business methods and leadership abilities taught by Bob Iger

Bob Iger, the former CEO and current Executive Chairman of The Walt Disney Company, was responsible for some of the company's most significant acquisitions, such as Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm. His course covers everything from business lessons from the acquisition process to how to properly and successfully utilise your time.

Kelly Wearstler Teaches Interior Design

Learn about interior design from Kelly Wearstler

Have you ever pondered how to make your place look like it was ripped from the pages of "Architectural Digest" but still feeling uniquely yours? Kelly Wearstler has built enough celebrity residences and boutique hotels to provide you with all the secrets and tactics necessary to reimagine your own place. You will discover how to select colours for any area, make a place appear larger, and even curate an art collection.

Dominique Ansel Teaches French Pastry Fundamentals

Learn the principles of French pastry with Dominique Ansel

Dominque Ansel is renowned for his inventive interpretations of delectable pastries, such as the Cronut, a croissant-donut hybrid that attracts hour-long lineups outside his SoHo bakery in New York. In this course, you will learn the precise method Ansel employs while baking his renowned confections. You will learn to prepare fruit tarts, chocolate cakes, and little madeleines, among other delicacies.

Daniel Negreanu Teaches Poker

Poker instruction from Daniel Negreanu

Six-time World Series of Poker champion Daniel Negreanu is the best person to help you master your poker face. He will assist you in understanding even the most intricate poker topics so you may enhance your win rate the next time you sit at the felt.

A review of MasterClass:

MasterClass is one of my favourite online learning platforms, and I have used a significant number of them (Coursera, Skillshare, edX, Rosetta Stone, CreativeLive, and so on).

MasterClass' online classes are structured more like a one-sided discussion than an academic setting, which can make learning more enjoyable.

I adore being able to learn conventional and non-traditional methods and tips from industry titans, including some of my favourite authors, performers, singers, and chefs. Total class time ranges from 2 to 5 hours, with each instruction lasting between 5 and 25 minutes.

In addition, I have access to notes, other reading materials, and a community. When my attention span is limited, it's convenient that I can download lessons or utilise Audio Mode in the car as a de facto audiobook.

In addition, the variety, calibre, and adaptability of its online courses are unrivalled. When I'm in a culinary phase, I can watch bite-sized clips that are informative and entertaining. And even if a subject is not my primary interest, the attraction of a "master" keeps me interested in the lessons.

I personally appreciate yearly access. If you are a lifelong learner, it enables you to switch between disciplines with features such as "theme playlists" that queue up content you might enjoy. It's instructive without feeling unduly rigors or overpowering; it's worth the $180. I would suggest attending a course on Coursera or edX rather than paying $180 for admission to a single MasterClass if you are interested in a deep dive into a single topic. — Mara Leighton, senior journalist