The first hint of a voice over career emerged in 1997 when, with my first job in NYC, I was answering phones for Morgan Stanley. "Oh, you must work in radio" was a common response to my "Thank you for calling Morgan Stanley...". A friend of mine that had been working on Madison Ave encouraged me greatly, and after being laid off from another job I decided to take a summer off and attend different voice over, speech and acting schools. My first paying gig was reading the tag line for a David Grey "White Ladder" commercial. Shortly after, I landed a job as receptionist for a major New York recording studio. From there I got recommendations for much of my portfolio. A simple "Good afternoon, thank you for calling Avatar Recording Studios" landed me the announcer job for "The 25th Annual Sports Emmy Awards" FOX SPORTS NET, a reading of the definition of "Orbit" for an artist in session that loved my voice, a radio spot for a cabaret act, The introduction for a national tour of the Kanagawa Philharmonic, "Ladies and Gentlemen, please take your seats, our concert is about to start...", the voice of "God" for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, TELARC RECORDS, and then as host for a popular, world wide jazz formatted pod-cast "Avatar Studios Presents" which includes my interviews with some of the greats of Jazz (Hank Jones, Grady Tate) as well as song introductions and record label information. I am also the narrator for the Avatar Studios online studio tour, and still hold the distinction of being "The voice of Avatar, a year after moving to the Philadelphia area.
Weist Barron School for Television and Radio New York NY Voice Over
H B Studios New York NY Speech/Acting
Voice Actors of New York NY NY Voice Over
Have been attending various other voice over seminars over the years.
As previously stated, hosting a jazz formatted pod cast has been a great help in my narration delivery.
I am currently using:
Mac OS Computer
Edirol Fire Wire
Logic Recording Platform
Avatar A76 Micrphone (Modified to Neumann U87 specs.)
My deep, sincere voice has landed me various employs where strong phone skills were essential. Being dubbed "The Voice of Avatar Recording Studios" should let you know instantly that such a world class facility would only select a vocal presence that exudes confidence and warmth. My voice just may be the first impression a client has to their company. I have, on some occasions, been met with silence on the phone as the caller is expecting my voice to be a recording, and they are waiting for further instructions or a tone to record their message after. It is not that my voice is mechanical, it is just that professional and, honestly, that unique.
Having been in a studio setting for some years, I have learned first hand the editing process (removing lip-smack, breaths...), the understanding of how budgets and time constraints work, and the importance of timely, professional work.
I am also a singer/song-writer, and enjoy improv. acting.