VO Education & Training
As the great Dee Bradley Baker says... "So you wanna be a voice actor?" Well, there is A LOT to learn. And figuring out where to start is daunting to say the least. Jay has put things in the order that helped him get started on his vo career. Of course you don't have to follow his path, everyone's path is unique and messy and glorious. Another amazing place to start is Dee's website. Just click that quote above. Even when you are done with that site, there will be plenty more here for you to explore.
A word of advice...Even though you are an eager little VO beaver and want to do it all right away, choose a focal point. There are many avenues in voice over and if you try to do them all at the same time you will spread yourself too thin and it will only take longer. Focus on ONE aspect of VO until you master it (or at least start to make money in it) and then move on to the next. You will be more likely to find success at a much faster rate.
Below is a small curated list we've put together over the years, for even more options in every category please visit The Voice Over Resource Guide!
The VO Bookshelf
Books are one of the absolute best ways to start learning something you don't already know. It's also a great way to test your commitment to your craft. Reading a book isn't for everyone. Some people just hate reading. Why would you want to buy a book and read when you could just ask someone who's doing it all your questions for free? Well, those people like you asked these authors below so many times that they wrote a book with all the answers. Seriously, some of the nicest and most successful voice actors answered all your questions below.
In fact, we believe in it so much, we started a Book Club!
"Read more BOOKS...BOOK more work!"
In Fact.. JOIN this Month's BOOK CLUB!
The VO Schools
There are a good amount of online and in person (when the world goes back to normal) VO Schools and Academy's these days. Here are just a few of our favorites.
A WORD OF ADVICE... make sure you are a well-rounded talent. Don't just choose one school or one coach and then go make your demo. You didn't have the same math teacher for 8 years, the same goes for VO. Learn as much as you can in order to be the best well-rounded voice actor you can be.
GVAA is an online voiceover school that provides a strong and caring support system for each and every student. Not only do we offer all the voiceover services you’ll need to achieve your goals, we create a personalized action plan to help you every step of the way!
At The Halp Network Entertainment Academy, one of our goals is to provide hands-on experience for folks looking to grow their skills in a practical fashion within the rapidly changing world of entertainment.Our workshops and classes are designed to advance and elevate our industry in a collaborative and engaging (currently online) environment. Come learn something new and share what you know.
Voiceover Camp's mission is to help you find your genuine voice and forge your own path! Whether you’re looking for a career in voiceover, want to assert yourself in whatever profession you’re pursuing, or just looking for a creative outlet, we're here to help you discover your journey through workshops, workouts, and classes led by working pros!
The V.O. Dojo is a training, networking, and resource center connecting voiceover actors of all levels, from those with an initial spark of interest to seasoned V.O. professionals.
Inspired by the discipline of martial arts and the fun and playfulness of improv, we encourage voiceover artists to approach their craft fearlessly and with the wisdom of a warrior.
With close to 30 years of experience, we are the premiere source for producers searching for excellence in voice casting and for VO talent seeking to refine their VO acting skills and brand through our VO acting education program.
The gold standard in training for motion capture acting, directing and production. We have headquarters in London and Los Angeles, and all our staff are veterans of the industry that bring their extensive insight and experience to every class.
VoicePrint West’s teachers are working professionals in the voice over field ranging from Casting Director to successful VO artists. We provide you with up-to-the minute understanding and training through interesting, challenging workouts for your advancing success in the voice-over business.
The art of voice over is an ever-evolving process. Enjoy the ride.
The two principal instructors are Terry Berland, Casting Director, and Nick Omana, Voice-Over artist.
Acting and Technical Training for the Beginning Voice Actor in All Things VO, in the Southwest Region and Beyond!
We are a group of professional voice actors and coaches, based in the southwest region of the U.S.
Focused on constant growth-- we provide classes, workshops, and opportunities to help support voice actors along their journey and hopeful success in voiceover.
Voice One is the leading voice over school in San Francisco, offering a comprehensive training program for everyone from the novice to the professional. Our Core Curriculum features classes in commercial, character, narration, and acting to build a solid foundation in skill and technique. Advanced students get the opportunity to meet agents, casting directors and producers as well as membership on a talent database for exposure to local job opportunities.
At Edge Studio, we have long believed in building a thriving community around the art of voice over, and our programs are centered around making you a part of that community. At Edge, we’ve identified 3 major categories of learners that come through our doors – Casual Learners, Aspiring Professionals, and Working Professionals.
The Queer Vox Academy was initially intended to be an introductory, pay-what-you-can voiceover class for emerging queer VO artists. They offer Classes and workshops for LGBTQIA+ VO talent, all pay-what-you-can, all keeping the unique challenges of queer/trans talent in mind.
We have one simple goal: to provide an Actors Creative Environment (ACE). In this environment, actors will learn from industry professionals and gain the necessary tools to enrich their acting career. The ACE Studios VO department focuses on one night classes with varying directors, casting directors, and other industry professionals to grow your skills as a voice artist.
Gravy For The Brain Ltd offers an ever-expanding range of online courses, face-to-face and online events, and valuable resources - all designed solely to benefit the voiceover community and raise the standard of the voiceover industry.
Weekly live mentoring sessions from our industry experts and up to 10 monthly webinars with special guests from the industry.
LOOKING FOR MORE!?
Just head on over to the Industry's most definitive resource guide below!
The VO Workshops
Workshops are plentiful! They differ from classes because usually they are just one-off's or offered for a week or two. You can take workshops in pretty much EVERY aspect of voiceover. They are taught by anyone who has had any sort of success in their fields, big or small. From Casting Directors to Agents, Pro Talent to Voice Directors, if you are interested in something chances are there is a workshop for it. Below is an ever growing list of where to find workshops, but they will pop up everywhere so keep your VO eyes peeled!
VOICE ACTORS NETWORK IS A PLACE FOR THE WORKING/AUDITIONING VOICE ACTOR TO CONNECT AND RECONNECT WITH OUR TOP INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS.
Bill Holmes has been a voiceover actor/director for 35 years. He started referring to himself as The Voiceover Doctor because of the style of teaching that he has developed over the past 35 years. It's a unique self-improvement system for voiceover actors.
The VO Pros is a supportive and exclusive environment that invites talent and industry professionals to connect at our studio in Los Angeles and, with some events being offered via Zoom.
We have a full curriculum available to you from entrance level to advanced. You can participate in the entire curriculum, or jump in any place in-between, as long as you meet the criteria for that particular workshop.
The Voicecaster is the largest voice casting company in the country. Workshops are currently held online via Zoom and are conducted by Owner & Head of Casting, Kelly Moscinski, various Casting and Booth Directors from The Voicecaster, amongst other talented VO veterans!
Our workshops and private coaching focus on one thing - improving your commercial VO auditions. Drawing on daily casting conversations with VO buyers, Elaine will arm you with tools for successful self-direction and give you a current, legitimate perspective on the industry.
Perfect your voice acting skills while we all stay safe at home. Adventures in Voice Acting now offers online versions of our in-studio training events!
Virtual Courses are held on Zoom on Pacific Time (PT), and are open for students around the world!
Animation • Gaming • Promo & Trailer • Commercial • Spanish Language • Home Recording
Always changing • Industry Pro's
Join the Weekly Workouts for 1 or 2-hour practical coaching sessions, over 6 weeks, with Victoria Atkin and her team of top coaches in Voice Acting as well as Performance Capture. Victoria also offers 1-1 Voice Acting coaching for Video Games and Performance Capture.
For booking inquiries email: weeklyworkoutsvopcap@gmail.com
The VO Coaches
You can be coached in EVERY aspect of voice-over. Do your research, ask your peers. Find the coaches that you vibe with. Don't just pick one. Trust your instincts as well. Test out a coach in a workshop setting first and if you like the way they teach, start coaching. A solid coach can make all the difference in your VO career. Below are just a few of our favorites.
Champion of talent for over 2 decades, NANCY WOLFSON is a private Voice Over Teacher. Her coursework has been accredited at the university level for beginners, working pros, and celebrities.
Commercial • Animation • Narration
We create a customized voiceover curriculum just for you based on your experience, strengths, challenges, and goals. We can focus on ANY area of voice over
Every and Anything VO
With Mary Lynn Wissner, you’ll learn how to adapt, apply and succeed with the ever-changing trends in advertising and production. You’ll gain the skill set and techniques tailored to your abilities, talent and range.
Commercial • Career
The core of Dave Walsh’s revolutionary voiceover coaching is what he calls The TrueTell which is an easy and effective method for anyone, to accurately zero in on that most connected and passionate part of themselves and how they communicate
Commercial • Promo • Narration
We create a customized voiceover curriculum just for you based on your experience, strengths, challenges, and goals. We can focus on ANY area of voice over
Commercial • Promo • Narration
Whether he’s coaching, casting, directing, writing or performing, it’s Keythe’s commitment to telling stories clearly and effectively that drives him in everything he does.
Commercial • Animation • Video Games
Anne Ganguzza is a professional voice actor, coach, and award-winning producer with a dynamic presence and a passion for all things voice + technology. She works with talent around the world who are interested in boosting their VO career to the next level, using target-marketed demos and customized marketing strategies in addition to vocal coaching.
