Phyllis A Travis

Characterizations, as always, come with the script, as I honestly believe what the character wants, seeks, feels, needs, etc., is original to that creation. In voice, it is in my power to bring the script to life, allow the listener to hear more than just a basic 'character', if even in a corporate presentation, as there is still room for imagination and a bit of an adventure, beyond what is/was traditionally expected:) Once upon a time, being called 'sir' on the phone really bothered me, until I realized it was a gift: my voice is gender-neutral, so it can appeal to a wide variety of audiences and age groups, from teenagers to elders. Other than my native Texas "slang", which is not really conscious day-to-day, when I sing or perform, it is with a stage presence, not any dialect - for instance, though never contrived, I have been told wherever I am at the time, I sound like I am from that region - when I lived in Boston for 20 years, I instinctively adapted a Boston accent, although I have been told I sound like I'm from The East Coast, the West Coast, the Midwest, and the Southwest, so again, depending on environment and what is needed, my voice apparently has the ability to blend accents and eccentricities enough to create a unique and interesting result:)

From my days as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in a University environment [Univ of Houston - Sociology] to my career as a claims manager and Trainer in a very dry Corporate (Insurance) environment, I have constantly been challenged with the task of delivering relatively boring material in a challenging manner, so audience members actually "buy in" and listen .... Early on, I realized it was less a matter of preparation (seriously) than it was the "delivery" .... think about it. How many times have you attended a seminar you were really excited about, only to leave right after arrival because the keynote speaker put you to sleep? Or tuned in to a really promising podcast only to discover you drifted off after a few minutes because you could not stay attentive? Or on the opposite end, how many times have you expected to be bored but found you were deeply engaged in a presentation/performance/project? Voice is everything, I've learned. A "true" voice sets the stage, clothes & prepares us for the journey ahead, consoles us through every loss, and guides us through every hairpin turn in the adventure. How many times have we heard the adage, "listen to the voice within" as sound advice for knowing how to navigate the unknown? We know instinctively what "rings true" and what sounds false, pay attention immediately to anything authentic, because it is not what we expect. A "voice-over" from my point of view, is the gift of that challenge: giving the listener an authentic experience, no matter what the material, project, task, or presentation. ACADEMIC: BA - Sociology - University of Houston (1976) JD - New England School of Law, Boston (1989) [New England Scholar, Academic year 1986-87] Church Divinity School of Pacific, Berkeley, CA (2002), Certificate in Theological Studies PROFESSIONAL: CPCLA - Casualty Property Claims Law Associate FCLA - Fraud Claims Claw Associate Admitted - Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, 2005 [Admitted to Practice in Good Standing] CREATIVE/PERFORMING ARTS: Dramatic Arts - High School & University of Houston Repertory Theatre [After Dinner Players] 1970-1975 Performing Singer-Songwriter WEBSITES: www.phyllisatravis.com www.reverbnation.com/phyllisatravis www.sonicbids.com/PhyllisATravis www.facebook.com/PhyllisATravis www.twitter.com/PhyllisATravis www.myspace.com/PhyllisTravis I am certainly willing to record in any local studio; however, my home studio includes the following software & equipment: Songs on my website(s) have been created using the Zoom H2 Recorder & Cakewalk VST for instance. Pro-Tools Cakewalk Sonar 7 Cakewalk VST Studio Shure & Samson Microphones ZOOM H2 Audio Recorders (updated & original) ZOOM H3 Video Recorders (updated & original) Sony Vegas As a performing singer-songwriter, I had to get into the 'electronic' age awhile back, because audio tapes were no longer being submitted for songwriting contests or other creative gigs ... I am a self-taught audio recording engineer, have learned (and continue to learn) all that is required to keep me viable in today's creative market, which usually means an updated EPK (Electronic Press Kit) and the ability to submit mp3's or mpeg's at a moment's notice for audio or video files. This also means being able to record and 'share' files, especially in co-writing gigs, so others can record in their neck of the woods, kick the file back, and we can get it polished for a demo or as an added track to a CD or creative project. I remember the days I spent hours dubbing and over-dubbing on a dual cassette deck or "board" just to get the right sound ....learning how to wash sound and echo, filtering out the noise. Whatever the project, I can tailor the sound ... When I discovered there was a part of me that was deeply creative, it was during a social time when careers in the 'performing arts' were not fostered: I could not be successful unless I had a pocket full of degrees (all preferably advanced) and credentials to boot as a well-heeled professional (lawyer, doctor, engineer) to prove my success. As a result, although I knew clearly at age 13 I wanted to create, write, act, perform, (all such skills viewed as hobbies), I focused on a professional career and put all my attention into that academic and professional path. You lose enough in life along the way however, and you begin to question those early choices: were they mine, really? Or choices made purely to satisfy what was the expected path of the times? Shortly before "911", my baby sister died of lung cancer at the age of 43, leaving a young toddler behind. As a well-respected insurance professional/manager & lawyer, I was at the top of my game, trying to help other young professionals on their respective career paths. I used music, special effects, any medium available to do this, but the passion (I knew in secret) was missing. When it was no longer authentic, it was time to move on ... I resigned my career, went back to my roots, took a year off to go to Seminary so I could learn about parenting & get the spiritual grounding I needed to raise a toddler. In the process, I discovered an old audio cassette, the very first 'album' I ever did as a songwriter in Boston. I got jammed up by the studio who never promoted it, so the 'scam' left me in the dust .... But, laying on the floor in my old bedroom that day, I heard the music and that 'voice' wafting through all the dust on that ceiling fan, and realized where my passion had always been. I've never looked back since ... as one of my songs asks, "Show Me" How to lead my heart to the place it sings .... An authentic voice always inspires, always sings, will always capture the heart/attention of others ...