Overview
MasterClass has reinvented online learning by providing access to preeminent leaders across fields like sports, cooking, photography, writing, business, and more. Through beautifully produced video lessons, viewers can virtually sit at the feet of icons like Steph Curry, Gordon Ramsay, and James Patterson.
With over 180 courses available on nearly any topic you can imagine, it can be hard to narrow down places to start. That‘s why I‘ve highlighted 11 can‘t-miss MasterClasses covering a diverse range of subjects. From honing your jump shot with an NBA legend to learning survival skills from a former Air Force specialist, these courses deliver unmatched insight straight from the greatest minds of our time.
Keep reading for the inside scoop on exactly what esteemed experts like Chris Hadfield, Annie Leibovitz, Judd Apatow and others have to teach in their MasterClasses – as well as what makes them the cream of the crop.
#1: Gordon Ramsay Teaches Cooking
The notoriously hot-headed Ramsay may be infamous for berating hapless line cooks, but his MasterClass students get the far gentler treatment. Across 19 video lessons and interactive exercises, the multi-Michelin starred chef gives home cooks a masterclass in preparing restaurant-quality meals.
Viewers gain priceless knife skills, learn how to break down pristine ingredients from whole fish to beef tenderloin, and master complex dishes from Ramsay‘s own repertoire. Aspiring chefs should pay special attention to the dedication Ramsay shows toward understanding the science of food on a molecular level – a signature of his cooking style.
Considering Gordon Ramsay has been a leader in revolutionizing British cuisine since the 1990s, there may be no better instructor to offer rare insights into achieving excellence in the kitchen.
#2: James Patterson Teaches Writing
As the world‘s bestselling author alive today, Patterson has published over 200 books that have sold some 385 million copies worldwide. Now through 22 videos lessons, he distills his decades of writing expertise into an accessible form.
Aspiring authors will benefit enormously from Patterson‘s intricate outline of the entire novel writing process – from generating ideas to working with editors. Notably, he provides in-depth guidance on gripping readers‘ interest right from the start – one of the hallmarks of Patterson‘s quick-moving thrillers.
Patterson also emphasizes writing as a disciplined craft that requires showing up and putting in the work every day. That work ethic has certainly paid off nicely, as Patterson has penned 21 consecutive #1 New York Times bestsellers.
#3: Annie Leibovitz Teaches Photography
Arguably America‘s greatest living portrait photographer, Leibovitz needs no introduction. Her MasterClass offers unparalleled insight straight from 50+ years working at the very highest levels. She shares hard-won lessons starting from her humble beginnings as a teenage prodigy snapping rock legends for Rolling Stone.
Across 15 video lessons, Leibovitz opens her notebooks to illustrate her creative process in vivid detail. Students get an inside look at planning shoots, directing subjects, arranging lighting, and even choosing camera lenses and film.
Especially interesting are her breakdowns of several career-defining portrait sessions with cultural icons like Queen Elizabeth II and Kobe Bryant. Leibovitz‘s deep passion for her craft is self-evident, making this MasterClass truly an artistic inspiration.
#4: Sara Blakely Teaches Entrepreneurship
Sara Blakely became a billionaire entrepreneur starting literally from scratch – selling fax machines door-to-door before founding Spanx shapewear using her own life savings. Today, Blakely is set to become the first female owner of an NBA team with her purchase of the Atlanta Hawks.
Through 14 video lessons, she distills hard-won lessons from her remarkable journey in business into an encouraging case study for aspiring founders. Notably, Blakely places special emphasis on the power of visualisation, self-belief, and fearlessness to drive breakthrough innovations.
Aside from these big picture mindset elements, she also offers extremely tactical advice around competitive positioning, branding, pricing models, and managing cash flow in a bootstrap startup. MasterClass students get access to the same roadmap to success that allowed a first-time founder to build a multi-billion dollar empire.
#5: Bob Iger Teaches Business Strategy and Leadership
Over a legendary 45 year career, Bob Iger oversaw Disney‘s rise into the world‘s largest entertainment company after taking over as CEO in 2005. Today, the prolific executive serves as MasterClass‘s own "business genius in residence" – sharing a lifetime of leadership experience across 13 video lessons.
Iger delivers insightful management guidance covering everything from company culture to mergers and acquisitions. But arguably his most valuable wisdom relates to navigating today‘s rapidly evolving media landscape.
He explains pivotal, forward-looking business decisions around purchasing powerhouse brands like Pixar Animation, Marvel, and Lucasfilm. In doing so, Iger demonstrates principles of sound leadership even in times of massive technological disruption.
#6: James Cameron Teaches Filmmaking
Responsible for two of cinema‘s highest grossing films ever in Titanic and Avatar, James Cameron has demonstrated visionary talent as a director across four decades making movies. His extensive MasterClass unlocks a treasure trove of knowledge from bringing imaginative worlds to life on screen.
Cameron shares hard-earned techniques around visualizing high concept stories, using technology as a filmmaking tool, and working with special effects. But arguably his most compelling insight relates to his perfectionist pursuit of advancing the art of film one boundary-pushing project after another.
Students witness Cameron‘s unrelenting work ethic and lifelong process of self-education – which led him to become an expert in deep sea exploration and even learn an entirely new language for Avatar.
#7: Judd Apatow Teaches Comedy
Apatow‘s credentials as a preeminent comedy director are unimpeachable, with a filmography spanning hilarious hits like Knocked Up, Bridesmaids and The 40 Year Old Virgin. Now through 32 video lessons, he covers everything from developing standup material to joke writing for movies.
Apatow brings rare insight into creating comedic characters, dialogues, plots and even directing actors for uproarious are all covered across six hours of lessons. Especially enjoyable are his firsthand stories from early in his career of bombing as a standup comedian – which helps students understand the regular struggles involved in mastering the process.
#8: Steph Curry Teaches Basketball Shooting & Scoring
Fundamentals are undoubtedly the bread-and-butter for any serious basketball player. So who better to learn them from than widely considered the greatest shooter ever in Steph Curry?
Across 17 video lessons, the 4-time NBA Champion and 2-time league MVP breaks down his entire scoring approach in intimate detail. Students gain unprecedented access to Curry‘s tutorials on ball handling, footwork, shooting form, hand positioning and more.
Especially fascinating are the slow-motion video breakdowns that reveal subtle technique points that even experienced players likely overlook. For anyone looking to take their game to the next level, gaining wisdom straight from Steph Curry‘s personal playbook is an opportunity of a lifetime.
#9: Chris Voss Teaches Negotiation
Chris Voss negotiated life-and-death hostage and kidnapping cases for over 30 years in the FBI. Today, he leverages that hard-won expertise teaching corporations and individuals foolproof negotiation techniques across 18 MasterClass lessons.
Students gain access to the exact playbook Voss has used to diffuse tense conflicts around the world – as well as tactics commonly used against him. He reveals simple but psychologically sophisticated methods for building rapport, regaining control of conversations, and bending negotiations in your favor.
Voss makes an art form out of techniques like mirroring body language, labeling emotions, and finding hidden drives and motivations. Given his background, it‘s no wonder his cutting-edge tactics can strengthen relationships and achieve previously unimaginable outcomes.
#10: Chris Hadfield Teaches Space Exploration
Chris Hadfield‘s MasterClass provides a simulated astronaut experience like no other. The retired colonel and former International Space Station commander became an unlikely viral sensation in 2013 with his zero gravity guitar cover of David Bowie‘s "Space Oddity."
Now through 28 videos lessons across nearly 8 hours, Hadfield brings unmatched insight from being one of the few human beings to have gazed upon our pale blue dot from space. He answers every question you‘ve ever had around practically experiencing the thrill of rocketing into Earth‘s orbit and working aboard the space station.
Especially fascinating are Hadfield‘s accounts of the physical and psychological stresses that come with space flight and confinement. Given his playful curiosity and contagious wonder about the universe, students will walk away feeling truly starstruck.
#11: Jessie Krebs Teaches Wilderness Survival
U.S. Air Force SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape) specialist Jessie Krebs knows a thing or two about making it out alive in extreme wilderness conditions. Now she imparts hard-earned wisdom to average citizens across 16 video lessons covering indispensable survivalist skills.
Krebs teaches step-by-step techniques for vital tasks like building shelters, starting fires, procuring potable water and identifying safe plants for foraging when stranded miles from civilization. She also offers psychological preparation for handling fear and panic when times get tough.
While we all hope to never need such specialized crisis training, Krebs delivers it with such dynamic positivity that it makes for a fascinating MasterClass nonetheless. And at the very least, we can all feel more equipped to brave the great outdoors with confidence.
The Takeaway on MasterClass Courses
I‘ve only just scratched the surface of the trove of compelling MasterClasses available on just about every topic imaginable. Business courses from Anna Wintour and Howard Schultz deliver leadership blueprints, while tennis legend Serena Williams helps athletes enhance competitive performance.
Countless other creative geniuses like Martin Scorsese, Tom Morello and Shonda Rhimes share one-of-a-kind insight into their artistic processes. Meanwhile Neil deGrasse Tyson and Jane Goodall help satisfy curiosity about the cosmos and the animal kingdom.
The access to living masters that MasterClass facilitates is truly unmatched. It represents the democratization of learning from the greatest practitioners across every discipline. No matter your interests, you‘re guaranteed to find courses taught by iconic instructors that expand your horizons.
So why not pick a MasterClass from this list that enlivens your passions? With wisdom straight from Steph Curry, Annie Leibovitz, Gordon Ramsay and other GOATS accessible anytime on your devices, what‘s stopping you from mastering a class of your own?
