I began my performance career in school plays like Henry the Horse in The Wind and the Willows and the Wizard in The Wizard of Oz. My father’s business being public relations and advertising, saw my potential, and he encouraged me to try voice overs. I then started my professional voice over career at the age of 14 for a production company called Gravity Music, doing a kind of raspy, German announcer for an airport promo. I later went on to do a variety of radio promo/commercial ads, often times silly character pieces including Lewis Black, Ernest Borgnine, and a Blues Brothers Dan Aykroyd read for a corporate dinner.
In addition, I read instructional videos for companies like G.E. Motors and Parkview medical center, as well as doing voice overs and acting in commercials for Hoosier Healthwise. I then interned at two radio stations, Summit City Radio Group and WLDE Oldies 101.7, learning to write and record copy, as well as doing on air promos. I have also worked at special volunteer stations, such as Northeast Indiana Radio Reading Service, reading the news paper to the blind and disabled on a special radio frequency.
I went to college at Cal State University Northridge to study Cinema and Television Arts: Radio, from which I obtained my bachelor’s degree. During college, I became involved in narrating several student films, independent, animated films voices and narration as well, and also continued doing radio commercials and instructional videos, while also dipping into on camera, host segments for various college promos and shorts. This included on camera television production classes, which featured announcing and reporting of student written scripts.
Also took a cartoon voice acting class with famed animation director Marsha Goodman at Voice Caster in their Burbank studio, who was instrumental in getting me a few auditions. I also did an informal internship with voice actor Corey Burton, who I toured around with for several weeks, observing and noting his different techniques of voice acting. Later went on to direct and act in several short films in college, including directing a Stephen King dollar baby, which is currently in post production. I have additionally done background work on television, and was a featured plaintive on the People’s Court with Gloria Allred.
As far as equipment, I have an Audio Technica 2020 mic, well as a One by Apogee USB interface. As far as recording equipment, all I have right now is Garageband v2.0.2 (50), so I would need to go to a recording studio for the highest possible quality. Since I live in North Hollywood, there are several located near me.
My best quality in terms of my voice, is my ability to take direction and make adjustments. Also, because of my background in theater and film, I have a strong sense of performance and storytelling. These elements, combined with some knowledge of the advertising world, all ultimately serve to help sell the brand of whatever product, character, or idea my voice is inhabiting. Knowing this helps to keep my focus on the right aspect of my overall performance, which helps to make a better, more engaging project.