Such A Voice: A Journey of Passion

As most of you know, I founded Such A Voice more than thirty years ago. Hard to believe! Many of you also know that I am a composer and keyboard artist, with a Broadway Musical as one of my credits (Anna Karenina). 

Now, as I prepare for the release of my first smooth jazz album (more about that later), I find myself looking back and reminiscing about my journey with Such A Voice.  I’d like to share some of my thoughts with you, and let you in on some of the reasons why Such A Voice was created in the first place, and why those of you who are with us have been working with people who are unquestionably the very best in the industry.

How it All Started

For me, it all began with music – and a deep fascination with and love for it. At two years old, I started playing the piano by ear. My mother played the piano at home when I was an infant, and I truly believe that listening to her play all day, every day, contributed to my playing by ear – much like babies picking up a language. 

Music was as much a language for me as speaking. I started playing actual songs before I could speak, and from that point, playing the piano was for me, the easiest way to express myself, my emotions, my ups, my downs – everything. The passion that I had and still have for music was the guiding light in my life that kept me from needing to submit to peer pressure…I had my music. 

Guided by My Love of Music

After graduating from the Manhattan School of Music, I began writing musical advertisements (jingles) which I continued for many years, and at the same time produced voice-overs for my clients. During that time, I also joined the BMI Musical Theater Workshop and began work on what would become my first musical; I never dreamed it would land on Broadway and earn me a Tony Award nomination, but it did.  

In the early 90s, jingles began to fade away. The industry took a nose dive as advertisers started using existing pop songs instead of original jingles. I thought about my next steps, and reflected on how every single major endeavor of mine was born out of passion: the piano gigs, the jingles, the musicals. It was one fun adventure after another.  And that’s how Such A Voice was born: wanting to share something that people are passionate about. 

From Music to Voice-Overs

Let’s face it, most people who use their voice for voice-overs feel as passionate about getting into that field as I did about getting into music. So it was a no-brainer to build a business around something people are passionate about. But I didn’t just want to build an average business. Just like I didn’t want to write a musical that would only be performed locally, I was intent on getting it to Broadway, despite all the nay-sayers who bemoaned that it would never happen. Well, it did! They said the same thing about my jingle business, “it’s too hard to get things sold and onto the radio” they said. Wrong again! I made it happen and in a very major way, always using the very best singers, the best musicians, the best studios. 

So when it came to teaching voice-overs, I wanted to start a company that not only helped people get into voice-overs, but one that would become the best in the industry with the best staff, the best coaches, the best ears in the business. I’m happy to say that after thirty years, I feel the pride and accomplishment of knowing that goal has come to fruition, and you, our students, are the recipients of that goal. Such A Voice has the most comprehensive voice-over training and production program in the industry, and that is no doubt thanks to our talented team of coaches, producers, and staff. That’s something I will cherish for the rest of my life, and I thank all of you who have helped make my dream a reality.

My Newest Venture: Over The Moon!

So now, after years of teaching voice-over classes, and with the knowledge that we have the most capable teaching staff bar-none, I have taken a step back from the regular classes that I have taught for almost thirty years, and have focused for the last year on my original passion: music.  

I am so excited to announce my first smooth jazz album entitled, Over The Moon!  I wrote all the songs, played all the piano parts, and have the same goals for my album that I’ve had for all of my other ventures: to make it the best it can be!  

To help me do just that, I have two very special guest musical artists on this album: Kim Scott (flute), currently the #1 smooth jazz artist in the country — and Jeanette Harris (sax), one of the leading jazz and r&b sax players in the world today.  

I am also very fortunate to have been taken on by the #1 radio promotion company in the US. They are the ones who promote Kenny G, Dave Koz, Boney James, Carol Albert and others.  The first single to be released is entitled, “Our Kind of Love”, and I have attached a sneak preview (not quite the entire song) to this blog. 

As you’ll notice, my style is a little different from some others that you might associate with smooth jazz. I’m not crazy about repetition and songs that don’t have a “likeability” factor.  But whatever you think of it, and I hope you like it, it all comes from my heart. Kim Scott was kind enough to write this endorsement:

“Look out music lovers! There’s a new melodist on the scene and his name is Dan Alan Levine! Step into the creative oasis of this talented keyboardist and composer and you’ll be met with invigorating melodies that will stay with you forever. His style is classy and timeless, with a uniqueness that will undoubtedly set him apart from his counterparts in the smooth and contemporary jazz scene.”

– Kim Scott

I am including my middle name as part of my “performer name”: Dan Alan Levine, so when you see it out here, you will know it’s me.

Please visit my music website at www.danalanlevine.com.  

Even though the official release of the album is not until January 3, 2023 (single release is July 1, 2022), I am offering the album now to all of you who on the Such A Voice blog at a discount with the following code which you can enter in my store when purchasing the album: MYRJSAA

The single and album will also be available on all the usual streaming services including Apple Music, ITunes, Spotify, and Amazon. Right now it is only available at www.danalanlevine.com.

I want to thank all of you again for helping to make Such A Voice what it is today.  I hope each of you will discover your own special passion and use it to successfully achieve your goals and dreams.

Wishing you all the best . . .

Dan Levine

President and Founder of Such A Voice

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Talk about how you got into voice-over initially?

As an actress and singer since the age of eight, I never had known the voice-over business as its own industry, which it totally is. When I started studying at the Don LaFontaine SAG Foundation Voiceover Lab, I learned the biz from the ground up and met some of my mentors who I now call friends. Being prepared when I took a workshop from Vanessa Gilbert, was a match made in heaven. She is my agent to this day at RSA Talent here in Los Angeles.

What are your favorite types of voice-over jobs?

Anything that pushes boundaries; I also love the process of developing an original character with a director in-studio. That, and when I get to play a 90 year old. I can’t wait to be 90!

What is the most memorable role you’ve done?

I played the rapping Easter Bunny plush toy for Hallmark in 2019. My mom found one at Wal-Mart in Iowa. I got paid to rap. It. Was. Awesome. 

What would be a dream VO project for you to work on?

Doing multiple characters for Warner Brothers in an animated series!

What has been your favorite part of coaching at Such A Voice? Tell us a bit about your style.

I love the challenge of each student, and seeing them discover their imagination and how it applies to each script. I like to apply knowledge of my personal experiences in the studio and the eclectic jobs I have done throughout my career. I would describe my coaching style as “edutainment”. We have a lot of fun learning the curriculum and other tricks of the VO world today.

What advice do you have for students going through our program right now?

Keep your foot on the pedal with patience. Ask a lot of questions. 

Where has been your favourite place you’ve ever travelled? Where do you most want to go that you haven’t been?

I leave for Cancun in the morning…and I was last there 25 years ago. I’ll let you know if it’s still my favorite place!

What song is stuck in your head right now?

We Are the World – Lionel Richie & Michael Jackson

Anything you’d like to add, or projects you’d like to plug?

Sure! Check out the new animated series I’m in! I play Pearl the Mermaid who also narrates, along with a few other characters. Enjoy!

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How did you first get started in voice-over? 

About 14 years ago, I moved out to Los Angeles to pursue my dream of working on-camera in film & TV. Truthfully, I never had any interest in voice-over! People would tell me that I had a good sound for it and that I should look into becoming a voice actor but… I can be really, really stubborn when it comes to taking other people’s advice, especially when it’s about my own personal life choices. Then about 10 years ago, I was asked by an acquaintance at Pandora Radio to send in a demo. I know it sounds crazy but I was reluctant to do so; I had it in my head that I was only going to be working on-camera. Like I said, stubborn! Long story short, I got on their roster, started recording commercials and promos regularly, found the work to be a lot more fun that I had imagined (and kicked myself for not starting sooner), slowly built up my contacts and repeat clients through P2P sites and other avenues, and before I knew it, voice-over was my full time job. 

What is the most memorable VO job you have ever done?

Most of the VO work I’ve done falls within the commercial, promo, and narration realms but a few years ago I did dip my toe into video game dubbing and worked on one of the Blade & Soul games. I booked the job right around the time that I was placing most of my energy and focus on my intuitive guidance business, otherwise I probably would have pursued more of those opportunities. It was truly one of my favorite work experiences. I loved getting to voice different characters. 

What would be a dream voice-over role for you? 

You know, I’ve dabbled in most voice-over genres but I haven’t really done much animation. It would be cool to work on a show that made me laugh. And was somewhat magical. Perhaps

 with an uplifting or deeper message. For kids (so my nieces and nephew could watch it) but also for adults. I realize this is getting more specific by the minute. Maybe I just need to write it myself!

What has been your favorite part of coaching at Such A Voice? Tell us a bit about your style. 

I think my favorite part of coaching would have to be connecting with my students. I’ve met some really amazing people through Such A Voice! I love witnessing the incredible transformations students go through in the program. By transformations, of course I mean within their voice-over skill set, but I’m also referring to those other transformations; like feeling more confident in who they are and discovering a love for the sound of their own unique voice (even if they always hated it).As far as my coaching style goes, I treat every script as an opportunity to tell the truth of the moment, whatever it is. It doesn’t matter if we’re working on a deodorant commercial or Shakespeare, we still have to be present in the circumstances and tap into the emotional truth. We still get to play and “make believe” just like we did when we were kids. And I tend to utilize imagination and sensory-based techniques to do so. When working with students on scripts, I always aim to be honest, constructive, and encouraging. 

What advice do you have for students going through our program right now? 

Immerse yourself in the VO universe, absorb as much information as you can, and keep practicing! It really is like building a muscle. If you wanted to get stronger biceps, you would exercise your biceps. You wouldn’t expect to work out once a week and see the same results you’d see if you worked out every day. So much is learned in the actual doing; in the repetition and the hours spent focusing your attention on your area of interest. It’s ok if you get frustrated by your rate of progress, but just keep at it. You never know when things will start to click. Just like lightbulbs can only turn on when they’re plugged into a source of electricity, aha moments and insights can only arrive when we put ourselves in the right place to receive them. 

Pandemic notwithstanding, where do you most want to travel? 

Oh man, the list is long. But one thing I’ve realized about my travel-enthusiast self – which maybe others can relate to – is that it’s often less about WHERE I go and more about HOW. Meaning, I just love the traveler’s mindset. That’s the part that is most addicting about travel: feeling open to experience, walking around with a sense of wonder and possibility, finding the most common everyday things interesting. I could be in my own city or I could be halfway around the world, it doesn’t matter. It’s that feeling of new discovery. 

What is your favorite food?

Zen Bakery’s blueberry oat bran muffins especially when served with spreadable goat cheese and a hot cup of dark roast coffee. [Editor’s note: Yum!]

Anything you’d like to add, or projects you’d like to plug? 

About my favorite food? Well, I’m bummed they don’t sell them where I’m living in South Carolina but I’m sure I can find a way to get them shipped out here.  

Otherwise, yes, I do have a project I’m really happy to share! This year, I published my inspirational message books, Wisdoms Of The Formerly Wilted: Vol. I & II. They’re available for purchase through Amazon and some other places where books are sold. More info can be found on my website: erikadward.com  

Check out our free PDF with pro-tips from real working voice-over actors here!

Want to learn more about voiceover? Signup for our introductory VO webinar.

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How did you first get your start in voice-over?

I knew this was the thing for me from a very early age. When my grade-school classes did plays, I was always The Narrator. My voice changed when I was about 9 or 10 and everyone said, “Wow, little boy, you should go into radio!” I LOVED rock & roll – at 10 or 11 I had just discovered The Beatles (This was about 1979 or so) and consequently I also discovered the dying days of AM Top 40 radio. This may be a dated reference but I wanted to be Johnny Fever so badly. Three days after I graduated from high school, I was in my first radio broadcasting class at a college in St. Louis, where I quickly became the program director… and discovered both the joys and heartbreak of radio. 1987 was a golden age for free-form college radio and we had 50,000 stereo watts to play with in the St. Louis area. At 18, I had a taste of fame. 

Over the years, I worked “town to town, up and down the dial” like a lot of radio folks, and I got tired of working for as little money as possible, so I started looking for other ways to make a living. In my 30’s, I found myself in Los Angeles, working as a stand-up at the Improv and the Comedy Store, as well as with various improvisational troupes in LA including the Groundlings, Upright Citizens Brigade, and the LA Connection, and I was introduced to my first VO mentor, the late Lori Tritel. She saw something in me and took me under her wing. I remember working with her at the legendary Buzzy’s studio on Melrose in LA (where all the celebrities who had recorded there had signed the wall – I was more excited to see Soupy Sales than Rob Paulsen) and Andy, the owner of Buzzy’s, pulled me aside and said, “Tim, you’re ready. Let’s do this.”  And ever since, I’ve been able to work with clients like Disney, Warner Brothers, a ton of Netflix projects, and a lot more. 

What was your favorite part of working in college radio? Is there anything you learned then that you hold on to in your career now?

Those are two very good questions. In the 80’s we were still playing vinyl records and MTV was still playing music videos. We weren’t beholden to sponsors, so we could do pretty much whatever we wanted as long as it didn’t violate the college’s code of conduct. I remember being the first station in the St. Louis area to play U2’s “Desire” as a special gift from the record label. We got to play new releases from “new” acts who you now hear on the overhead music at your local grocery store:The Cure, Depeche Mode, The Ramones, REM. he DJs could play 

whatever they wanted, as long as it was cool. If you ever saw the movie “Pirate Radio” with Phillip Seymour Hoffman (and you should; it’s awesome!) it was a lot like that. Crazy, young men and women living, eating, and breathing good music. 

The biggest lesson I carry with me today is to never buy into the pretense of celebrity. Just because you get recognized for your voice at a concert, or because you get fan mail, it doesn’t make you any better or more important than anyone else – and further, you need to consider the feelings of others. You’re never so important that you can afford to be impolite or arrogant. Be courteous, protect your personal boundaries, but ALWAYS be kind.  In other words, and these are OLD words in Hollywood, “Never believe your own press.” 

What voice-over jobs have been your favorite to work on? Why?

The one that stands out for me is when I was hired to do an ADR (Automated Dialog Replacement, or “dubbing”) job for a movie on Netflix. I was paid a good amount of money per hour, and guaranteed a two-hour minimum, so I went to the studio prepared to give my best performance and put in a good, strong workday. I got into the studio, met the director and the engineering team, got mic’d up, and watched the scene I was to dub. In the scene, my character was a guy in a cell-phone costume dancing outside a cell phone store, and he gets jostled by the lead in the movie. My line, my SINGLE line, was a four-letter word that polite company might replace with “fudge.” I did 8 takes, I made the full two-hour pay, and I was back in my car in just 28 minutes. 

I’m sure my mother is proud. 

What would be a bucket list VO role for you?

My DREAM job is to play Marvel superhero Mister Fantastic in a full-length CGI Marvel movie starring The Fantastic Four. I’ve been a Marvel fan since 1975 and I’d love a chance to play in that universe.  

How have you enjoyed your time at Such A Voice so far? Give us some insight into your coaching style!

Such A Voice’s internal staff are all wonderful people, It’s rare that you join a company where EVERY SINGLE PERSON you encounter is not only devoted to what they do, but good at it. From the accounting team, to the admins, to the home studio coaches, to us on the front lines, every single person I have worked with has been excellent.

My coaching style morphs from client to client. I consider myself a coach instead of a teacher. If someone could learn VO out of a book, they would. But like a sport, or a musical instrument, the learning process is a lot easier with someone in your corner reminding you to do what you’re supposed to do. I think there are more secure ways to make a living, so if VO is your chosen vocation, you better have fun at it. Otherwise, go get a desk job. So I try to approach my sessions with a sense of fun and playfulness, knowing that you “gotta get the work done.” 

Heather Costa says I get “epic fan mail” from my students, so I guess my style is working.  

Plus, I’ve had clients who have booked their first job BEFORE they’re even done with me. That’s saying something. 

What advice do you have to newcomers in VO? 

Work on performance first. Anyone can read off a piece of paper – what will get you the job is your ability to make it compelling to listen to, to be believable, to connect with the listener. Having a good voice or a $5000 microphone no more makes you a voice actor than having a Fender Stratocaster makes you Eric Clapton. Performance, acting, theater, script analysis – all the parts that aren’t glamorous – are what sets you apart from the hundreds of people who bought a $50 mic on eBay and think they’re the next Mel Blanc.  The reason Billy West gets the money he does is because he takes the time to prepare his performance – not because he can sound like Stimpy the Cat. 

Where is your favorite place you’ve ever travelled?

You know, this sounds dopey, but I used to live blocks from Hollywood and Vine, and I used to LOVE to walk up and down Hollywood Boulevard and see the stars on the street, the handprints in front of the Chinese Theater, the old NBC studios where Bob Hope worked, the Columbia lot where they shot The Three Stooges, The Capitol Records Building where Stan Freberg recorded all his brilliant stuff.  I moved out of Hollywood proper, but I’m only 15 minutes away now.  I’ve been all over the place, but I am very happy to live here in Hollywood. We could use a better place for pizza in the entire LA area, but otherwise, it’s pretty cool.  

Best-ever slice of pizza?

Fortel’s Pizza Den in St. Louis. Ask for Shelley. There is no debate on this whatsoever.  

Since you’re working from home: are you the “get up and get dressed in real clothes”-type or the “sweatpants forever!”-type?

I haven’t worn a pair of socks in five months! After 12 years of Catholic School uniforms, I swore I’d never wear a tie or a shirt with a collar ever again. I do from time to time because, well, my wife makes me, but left to my own devices, I’d be in my Captain America pajama pants every day. I’ll put on Levi’s to run errands, but more often than not, at home, I’m in pajama pants. To be honest, I’m glad it’s getting cooler, because I love a good, cheap hoodie, too. 

Anything you’d like to add or plug?

As a matter of fact, yes. Beginning September 22, you can subscribe, FREE, on your favorite Podcast platform, to “Carcerem: The Series,” Carcerem is a completely original audio drama series featuring a full cast, original music, and immersive sound design. More like a movie than an audio play, this captivating fantasy series put you in the middle of the action. Featuring sword fighting, monster attacks, giant battles, heartbreak, and humor, Carcerem is the next step in the evolution of audio entertainment. The cast includes Neil Flynn, Jane Lynch, legendary VO director Kal-El Bogdanove, Piper Laurie, the guy who was Cousin Oliver on The Brady Bunch, Pat Fraley, and me.

Dig it here: https://www.carceremtheseries.com

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Karen-Eileen Gordon is one of our newest coaches and is already getting rave reviews from students and staff alike for her talent and enthusiasm. In addition to coaching, Karen-Eileen has led a 10+ year long career in voice-over, doing hundreds of commercials, audiobooks, video games, and mush, MUCH more! Read about her and her VO journey below!

What first struck your interest about the voice-over industry? 

When I was a kid, I (gently) kidnapped my younger brother and sequestered us in a bedroom with a giant, old-school cassette recorder and the Disney “Haunted Mansion” sound effects record…I cast us as a million different characters, and we’d do what I now know was a Radio Drama, LOL! I feel like I came onto the planet already enormously predisposed to love all things voice and voice-over!

When did you get started?

I had an experience in college that really started me on this path, without my knowing. Almost daily, I’d change the outgoing message on my voicemail – different characters and impressions, usually trying out something funny – and the campus newspaper found out about it, and voted me “One of the 10 Funniest People on Campus!” 

I had no idea what voice-over was yet, but I had the light-bulb moment of, “Is there a career that exists, where I get to play like this with my voice…and make money?!” As it turns out, YES!

My official entry into this voice-over world came when I met my first mentor, a woman named Connie who had a huge voice-over career in New York and was in love with teaching, and starting voice-over careers of newbies. She’s responsible for my launch. And, in what I now know is unusual, my on-camera and voice-over careers grew in tandem; I’ve done both, from the start, and they have delicious things to share with one another in terms of technique.

 What kind of voice-over projects have you done so far? 

I am in love with this question, because it still blows my mind how wide and vast and deep the voice-over world is! Even voice-over artists who have been working for a bit find things that are new to them. Plus, as the world of technology and social media continues to balloon, new categories of voice-over come into being: for example, demos for podcast intros/outros or apps was not a “thing” until recently. 

My great blessing is that I’ve done something in almost every category that I currently know about – and I’m always excited to imagine what’s coming. I’ve partnered with clients on hundreds of commercials, narration, lots of industrials, audiobooks, animated projects, video games, IVR, things in Spanish, podcast intro/outro, dubbing…and I’m about to debut my very first podcast! Another area of voice-over where I’ve been blessed to have lots of experience is ADR: Automated (or Automatic) Dialogue Replacement – that’s a world lots of folks don’t know about, and working with the “Loop Groups” who are on studio sound stages creating those voices for crowds, non-principal characters, background actors – it’s technical and fascinating and improv-heavy and gorgeous. One of my great passions, in addition to storytelling, is wellness, so I’m creating original voice-over content in that universe to give to the planet.

Tell us more about your role here as a voice-over coach at Such A Voice. How would you describe your voice-over coaching techniques?

First and foremost, as a coach, my core values are kindness and patience. I had mentors and coaches who were so patient with me – especially with the tech. For Such A Voice, I’m thrilled to coach both Technique and Home Studio Advisory. When I started in VO, I literally would call my mentor in tears over some tech shenanigans that made me want to give up! So, my students all know they can ask me the same question a thousand times and it’s all good. I’d also say I’m a “whole body” voice-over coach – I think EVERYTHING plays a part in how we tell the story authentically: mind, heart, body, emotions. All of it needs focus and strength.

As a coach, what advice do you have for newcomers to the voice-over industry? 

I’d say (and everyone reading this is already here), find a really strong, knowledge-filled voice-over “village” to plug into. There is no artist on the planet who succeeds without a giant, mighty support village behind them.

What would be an all-time dream voice-over gig for you?

Three answers here: I would say being the go-to audiobook narrator/producer for Rights Holders who love putting out high-vibrational material – fiction or nonfiction – things designed to empower, illuminate, bring joy. And, a hilarious animated character that lifts people. Also, doing motion capture for a creature-or-human that I then have the privilege of voicing!

Onto the fun stuff!

Where is your favorite place that you’ve travelled? 

I was very honored to live in Paris for a bit – that was amazing: every street and building oozed this incredible history and refinement. (Plus, it blew my mind that every meal was meant to be a highly-celebrated and deeply savored experience!) Also, I have ancestors from Scotland (Clan Gordon!) in Aberdeen. I’ve visited once, and had the most surreal experience of déjà vu and connection. 

What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?

I jumped out of a perfectly good airplane. It was a tandem skydive, so I was strapped to an instructor – terrifying and phenomenal. Someone else jumped out with us (with a camera on his head!) and recorded the whole thing – so I have it to watch! After I catapulted myself into the void and stopped screeching…when the parachute opened…there were precious moments where I literally felt like I was standing still in the sky. I actually reached out with my hands, and passed them through CLOUDS. So amazing. 

What odd food combinations do you really enjoy? 

This is a really great question. I’ve always experimented with ways-of-eating,…and have been vegan, vegetarian, a food-combiner, organic-only, an alkaline eater, pescatarian…now, I’m Alkaline Green Pescatarian Keto, LOL! The most odd thing to others (to me it’s normal!), is that I can eat little hunks of firm tofu as a snack, just plain. I think they’re tasty!

What’s something that will always be in fashion to you, no matter how much time passes? 

Kindness. And, a solid-black outfit with a single dreamy piece of jewelry.

What are some of your favorite summer activities? 

Long list! When the world is open and humming: beach at sunset and night-time, munching on fresh summer berries, bonfires, picnics or pot-lucks with loved ones, a great binge-movie-night on an outdoor screen, with tasty snacks and folks to share…and awesome interviews like this. <3 Thank you!

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SAV:

Macphee: I’m excited to be a part of the Such A Voice team! I got my real start in the voice-over industry five years ago, but funnily enough my first VO audition ever was when I was a teenager for the babysitter role in The Incredibles movie! No pressure, haha! I then went on to pursue musical theater in undergrad and found my way back into the voice-over world afterwards. I truly love it!

SAV: What kind of voice-over projects have you done so far?

Macphee: I have a lot of experience in commercial voice-over. Right now, you may hear my voice in a television commercial for Lay’s Poppables, or if you stream TV – Smirnoff. Other clients include Fisher-Price, Birchbox, Nina Ricci Fragrance, Our Health California, and others. I am excited to be working on my first animated television series on Yu-Gi-Oh! Vrains as Emma/Ghost Gal which is recording now.

SAV: Tell us more about your role here as a voice-over coach at Such A Voice. How would you describe your voice-over coaching techniques?

Macphee: Such A Voice has such a wonderful curriculum which reflects back to a lot of the training I have had as an actor. Like many of the talented coaches here, I like to also bring my training and style to the curriculum as well. At Such A Voice, we discuss the importance of warming up your body as well as your voice to prepare yourself for the work. I love this  technique that involves reading through the script as flat as possible with no inflection to get the words in your muscle memory and not getting attached to any particular read or inflection. I have tips and tricks to using my body in a way that changes the sound of my read (ie. shrug of the shoulders for a more conversational read, actually pointing to emphasize something in a copy, etc.) We discuss script analysis and ask questions like, “Who am I talking to? What am I really saying? What am I reacting to?” This makes a read sound much more authentic and conversational which is absolutely desired in the industry right now.

SAV: As a coach, what advice do you have for newcomers to the voice-over industry?

Macphee: Persistence and authenticity. I think those are my two words of advice. As with any industry, the work you put in is what you are going to get out of it and you need to be at the top of your game. Even as a professional, you always have to be practicing and keeping your tools sharp, taking classes and coaching sessions, practicing copy, and consistently getting in the booth. I’m having so much fun exploring other aspects of this industry that I am not as familiar with and I’m constantly seeking out growth opportunities. It’s also important to be authentic and find your true voice and niche of where you fit into the industry. I really believe success finds people when they are being true to themselves and allowing their unique light to shine. Clients want to work with the person who knows who they are and what amazing quality they can bring to their project.

SAV: Who is your role model in the voice-over industry?

Macphee: Gosh, so many! My coach Doriane Elliott is an amazing strong lady whom I’ve learned so much from. Darren Dunstan, the director of Yu-Gi-Oh, is also a voice actor. He is a genuine, wonderful person and a great director. As I get to know the wonderful women on staff at Such A Voice, they become great mentors. The list grows throughout your lifetime!

SAV: Who is your favorite superhero?

Macphee: Wonder Woman. That movie was so great and to finally see a strong woman saving the world – nothing beats that!

SAV: What are some of your favorite summer activities?

Macphee: I love eating at a great Mexican restaurant with a margarita in hand. I also love catching up on books to read on a beach or by a lake. In NYC, I like catching up on theatre, maybe seeing Shakespeare in the Park, heading to Central Park or the High Line to hang.

SAV: Which one is better: watching a movie or reading a book?

Macphee: I really love both, depends on my mood!

SAV: Oceans or lakes?

MacPhee: I prefer lakes, I grew up going to the Adirondacks and relaxing by the lake.

SAV: What do you enjoy the most about being a voice talent?

Macphee: I literally love lending my voice and energy to someone’s project and being of service in that way! I also love the community. I find the voice-over community one of the most collaborative and supportive communities in the entertainment industry and I am proud to be a part of it.

We want to thank Megan for taking the time to catch up with us and to thank you for tuning in each week to our blog. We always enjoy hearing your feedback, so be sure to join in on the conversation and see what’s trending about Such A Voice!

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For this week’s staff spotlight, we’d like to introduce you to one of our live class instructors, Bridget Renshaw!

Such A Voice: Hi Bridget, thanks for joining us today! We’re excited to have you on the SAV team. What inspired you to become a voice-over instructor?

Renshaw: I love what I do and teaching people about it. I think that learning to use your voice is so powerful and I’ve always loved helping and encouraging others.

Such A Voice: What do you consider your niche in VO to be?

Renshaw: I have a youthful voice, so my sweet spot in commercials is a teenage girl. I also do a lot of millennial driven commercials, kid voices, and characters.

Such A Voice: What character has been your favorite to voice?

Renshaw: The voices for Guan Yinping and Dong Bai in Dynasty Warriors 9. Video games are always fun because there is so much expression and play involved. Always a good time.

Such A Voice: What part of the voice-over industry do you enjoy talking about the most in your classes? Why?

Renshaw: I enjoy working with the students on voice-over techniques. It’s fun to play around with everyone’s unique voices and personalities when they are reading through the scripts.

Such A Voice: Out of all the places you’ve traveled to for classes, which has been your favorite state to visit?

Renshaw: I loved Savannah, Georgia. Such a cool area with good people.

Such A Voice: What songs/type of music do you listen to on the road?

Renshaw: Anything I can belt out at the top of my lungs or really jam to. If it’s a longer drive, I listen to non-fiction audiobooks and podcasts. I’m always trying to learn something new.

Such A Voice: Would you rather have unlimited sushi for life or unlimited tacos for life?  

Renshaw: Tacos.

Such A Voice: How would you explain your basic life philosophy?

Renshaw: I believe that your thoughts and dreams create your reality and if you believe in yourself, the world will believe in you too. Follow the things that set your soul on fire, chase joy, and not fear. You can create whatever life you imagine and set forth to create. And don’t rely on the opinions or thoughts of others too much, nobody knows what they’re doing anyways. Do you.

Such A Voice: What exciting gigs/trips do you have coming up?

Renshaw: I’m excited to voice the main character on an animated cartoon pilot and do the dubbing voice for a teenage girl on a Russian short film that’s being converted to English. Never a dull day.

Had a positive experience with Bridget as a voice-over coach? Write about it here.

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For this week’s staff spotlight, we’d like to introduce you to our Home Studio Advisory Coach, Ben Marney!

SAV: Hi Ben! We wanted to congratulate you on your new gig at Sirius XM! Can you tell us more about what you’re doing for the station?

Marney: I was originally hired to do about ten pages of Channel ID’s, intros for the Skynyrd band members shows, and promotion spots for the new Free Bird: Lynyrd Skynyrd Southern Rock Channel, Sirius XM channel 30 Those responsibilities were quickly expanded. So far, I’ve done 18 pages with more coming. They have also asked me to do an audition to be the voice of another existing Sirius XM channel, but I can’t talk about that one yet.

SAV: What’s your favorite part about working in voice-over?

Marney: Without question, it’s being able to jump out of bed and walk 50 feet to my business– my home studio. I don’t even have to comb my hair or put on pants to go to work! Ha. It’s also the long-term friendships I’ve developed with my clients. For example, I’ve been the brand voice for Home Federal Bank for ten years now. The producer and I have become great friends over the years. And I have several other long-term clients/friends.

SAV: What does your role of Home Studio Support Specialist consist of on a day-to-day basis?

Marney: I believe what I do for SAV is a critical part of a student’s success. Without a quality home studio and a good understanding of the recording software, they will not be able compete in this industry, even if they have a golden voice. I have sessions in the evening from 5:00PM To 10:30PM EST, Monday through Thursday. In my sessions, I make sure their equipment is hooked up and working properly. I suggest ways in which they can create a “sound bounce proof” studio with a low noise floor and I teach them how to use the Audacity software to create quality auditions.

SAV: What kind of equipment do you use for your own home studio?

Marney: I also produce music, so I have a little more equipment than is really necessary to just produce voice-over. I work with on a 27” iMac with a second 30” Vizio video monitor, about five feet of screens in front of me.  

I have several studio microphones, but my prefered recording chain for voice-over is my Blue (baby bottle) microphone, going through a Focusrite ISA one processor, on to my Scarlett 2i2 interface.

I use ProTools recording software, mixed through a small Mackie board connected to two Advent Tuned Reference 10” studio monitors. In my vocal booth, I record with Sony MDR 7506 headphones.

I actually own several much more expensive microphones, but I like my voice the best on my Blue baby bottle.

SAV: Do you have any tips for someone who wants to soundproof their studio?

Marney: First of all, unless you bury a concrete bunker in your backyard, you’ll never get a “soundproof” home studio. All you need is a “bounce” proof studio and that’s easy to accomplish. My first recommendation is to always put the microphone in a closet, if possible. It doesn’t have to be a walk-in closet, just a closet big enough so they can put their microphone and head in. I know a lot of very successful VO talents in New York City that only have a small coat closet to work with in their tiny apartments. They cover the back wall with either Auralex foam or blankets, quilts, carpet, really anything non reflective and dense enough to absorb sound. They then spread their coats apart a foot or so, stick the microphone and mic stand in as far back as possible, put their head in between the coats, and there you have it. It’s just that simple.  

When I’m on the road working out of a hotel, I make a pillow fort around my microphone and stick my head in. I actually did three episodes of Hillbilly Blood for the Discovery Channel that way.

This is what we talk about in my sessions. Everyone has a different situation to work with. I also stress the importance of having a comfortable desk and chair for their computer. They’ll spend much more time there editing than they will in the booth recording.

SAV: What has been your favorite niche to work in so far?

Marney: I’m definitely Americana. I’m from Texas and I have a southern accent, so I concentrate on that kind of work. I don’t do many auditions for New York or Chicago. I’m more of an Alabama, Mississippi, Texas kind of guy.

SAV: What is your favorite song to listen to on the radio nowadays?

Marney: Of course I have to say Free Bird. By the way, you can hear that song on Sirius XM channel 30, Free Bird: Lynyrd Skynyrd Southern Rock Channel. Again, sorry I just can’t stop myself.

SAV: Who do you look up to in the voice-over industry?

Marney: I’d have to say Sam Elliott. I love his voice and delivery. I’ve met him a few times and he’s a great guy. Very down to earth for a big star. And of course, our own Heather Costa. She’s amazing!

SAV: If you could be a member of any TV-sitcom family, which would it be?

Marney: No question about that one! Modern Family. I’d work for free to be able to see Sofía Vergara every day.

SAV: Do you have a quote that you live by?

Marney: It’s something my father said to me the day I left for college. He said, “Son, there are a lot of stupid people out there in the world… try not to be one of them.”

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For this week’s staff spotlight, we’d like to introduce you one of our voice-over class instructors, Will Kamp.

SAV: Hi Will! Thanks for taking the time to speak with us. We’re so happy to have you on the SAV team! What appealed to you in the voice-over industry?

Kamp: I love the flexibility this industry allows for. Working from my place in Chicago, or my hometown San Diego, or a couple weeks in Costa Rica, makes me a pretty happy fella! I also enjoy that it allows one to be creative and a little goofy. Getting paid to play around is awesome!

SAV: Tell us more about the live classes you teach. What can students expect to learn in these classes?

Kamp: I like to have the students walk away feeling inspired, and hopefully they learn a lot that surprised them about this industry. The voice-over industry is always changing, and there are so many opportunities for new people to begin their own journey. It’s exciting to see people get pumped up about pursuing their dreams and goals in this field of work!

SAV: What advice do you have to offer to those who are just getting started in voice-overs?

Kamp: Think about WHY you want to do it. Be clear on what your big picture goals are because that will always continue to push you through the beginning stages of this business. Remember, it’s about having fun and pursuing your passion. Success won’t come overnight, but if you’re clear on your WHY, it all adds up for a very fun and exciting journey.

SAV:  What do you like the most about your hometown?

Kamp: San Diego is the best city! I love everything about it (except not having a winning sports team). The weather is great and I love the fact that you can literally do ANYTHING you want within a two-hour drive. You can ski, surf, dirtbike, go to another country, hike, root for the Dodgers to lose! Anything you want to do is right there for ya. Oh, and California burritos from hole-in-the-wall taco shops. That’s a must.

SAV: If someone narrated your life, who would you want to be the narrator?

Kamp: Tom Hanks or Paul Newman, if we could get a time machine up in here.

SAV: What odd food combinations do you really enjoy?

Kamp: Peanut butter and jelly on a hamburger. Yup. I’m serious.

SAV: What’s something that will always be in fashion to you, no matter how much time passes?

Kamp: Third Eye Blind and/or any 90’s alternative rock.

SAV:  What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?

Kamp: I lived in Madrid, Spain for a little while tutoring English to Spanish families, and on my off time, I traveled through Europe on my own. Traveling solo is a must for everybody in my opinion.

SAV: Would you rather watch Star Wars or Star Trek?

Kamp: Neither. Not a fan of anything sci-fi. I know, I know…many people hate me for it.

SAV: What’s the funniest joke you know by heart?

Kamp: I love comedy and I adore doing comedy improv but the only standard jokes I know by heart are cheesy dad jokes. How do hockey players kiss? – They PUCKer up.  *high five*. Thank you, thank you. I’ll be here all week. Tip your waitress.

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For this week’s staff spotlight, we’d like to introduce you one of our newest team members, Evan Lacon!

SAV: Hi Evan, welcome to the Such A Voice team! We’re happy to have you here. We’d love to get to know more about you – what are some fun facts about yourself?

Lacon: I just wrote a book called Finishing: 21 Tools Guaranteed To Help You Reach Your Goals, Even When Things Get Tough. I wrote it for people who want to make a change, but aren’t avid readers. It’s great bathroom reading as each chapter is only three to five pages.

SAV: Walk us through your everyday responsibilities here at Such A Voice.

Lacon: I work closely with Ben Werlin, who is the CEO for the company, and help support our beloved and amazing live class instructors.

SAV: What is your favorite voice-over phrase?

Lacon: “Stand clear of the closing doors.” It’s so obscure, but it’s so very important to do!

SAV: What do you like the most about living in the state of New York?

Lacon: The mountains, streams, and waterfalls. Plus the myriads of historical towns with their unique charms.

SAV: If you could book a trip anywhere outside of the US, where would you decide to go and why?

Lacon: Costa Rica because my husband is from there.

SAV: What kind of music do you like listening to on a long drive?

Lacon: On long drives, I listen to Business Radio channel 111 on Sirius XM. This channel is sponsored by the Wharton School of Business and the content is excellent. The greatest thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and scholars of the world can be heard there. (I swear I don’t own stock with them, haha!) Other than that, I like singer-songwriter, classical, and techno/house music.

SAV: If you were home on a rainy Sunday afternoon, what would you want to see the most on television?

Lacon: Don’t judge, but Star Trek Voyager, Schitt’s Creek, Law and Order SVU, any PBS nature, cooking, or travel show. And if I’m feeling particularly degenerated, The Real Housewives of Atlanta.

SAV: If you could paint a picture of any scenery you’ve seen before, what would you paint?

Lacon: So many to choose from, perhaps the early morning sun rising over the Atlantic Ocean.

SAV: If you could learn any language fluently, what would it be?

Lacon: Spanish, so I could talk to my husband’s family and friends from Costa Rica.

SAV: What are you looking forward to the most this year?

Lacon: Being able to make a meaningful contribution to SAV and losing 30 pounds. Oh, and my book hitting the NY Times Best Seller list for bathroom reading.

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