FEATURING MORGAN
ABOUT THE V.O. DOJO
The V.O. Dojo was inspired by a period in my own career when things had taken a downward turn for the first time. I had to dig deep in a moment of doubt, remember what it was that made me a successful voiceover artist, and reclaim my VO mojo.
At the same time, I was invited to lead a peer group for Northwestern alumni, where I shared the things I had been reflecting on. Just as I felt my calling in my first voiceover session, I realized that I had something powerful to share through teaching.
The word Dojo means "the place of the way" in Japanese. The V.O. Dojo is a place where committed individuals can come and learn that voiceover is not only a great way to make a living, but becomes a way of life.
The idea of a dojo was inspired by my years of training with my kickboxing sensei, the legendary Benny "the Jet" Urquidez and his wife, Sara Eaglewoman, a powerful medicine woman and urban shaman.
I recognized that VO requires a similar rigorous commitment to learning, discipline, and structure to build skills toward mastery, delving deep into oneself to align mind, body and spirit, and to fearlessly cultivate the light warrior spirit that is required to have a sustained successful voiceover career.
Consistency, Continuity, Connection, Community, and Self-Empowerment are the pillars that we build on.
For those who don't know, how would you describe The V.O. Dojo, and what sets it apart from other programs?
The V.O. Dojo is a hands-on, hearts-in, full training center that guides, supports, connects and accelerates you every step of the way, from "I don't know" to working pro-and beyond.
It's not easy, but it doesn't have to be hard. At the Dojo, we do it together.
The "It's not easy, but it doesn't have to be hard. At the Dojo, we do it together."
Wherever you are on your VO journey, we will meet you there and help you get to where you want to be.
The Development Division lays foundations with our You Should Do Voiceover Launchpad + Workouts, a comprehensive overview and hands-on exploration of everywhere your voice can be making money, what it is and what it takes.
Using a martial arts model, Launchpad is the first of five Belt Levels in our Mystery to Mastery Program that provides a full structured path to working pro:
White Belt - Awareness Yellow Belt Exploration Green Belt Self Exploration/Demo Prep → Blue Belt - Demo Production → Brown Belt - Business Launch
Each belt level develops the seven areas of mastery that are necessary for your sustained successful voiceover career:
Unlike other programs that offer beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes, with short commitments with random people, at the Dojo we recognize that building mastery to competitive levels requires time, patience, determination, and collaboration. You are climbing the mountain and learning to be an excellent mountaineer along with a group of other committed and focused people. We are here to support you and keep you powerfully on the trail-together.
The Working Pro Division begins when you have earned your Black Belt. We call it the Nth Degree Program. It continues to deepen your skills, support and connect you as you take on the next challenges of building your voiceover business practice together! Now you are ready, now your work begins.
One of its anchors is The V.O. Pro Fight Club, our working pro workout that connects top-notch talent with the high- caliber decision makers who can hire us in all genres. Past guests have included decision makers from Sound + Fury, Crunchy Roll, Disney, and many more. It's a fiercely friendly faceoff that uncovers the process of how casting decisions get made and helps to build relationships with the people who are making them. One of our members, who is now the voice of Minnie Mouse, first met the decision maker at a Fight Club! We vet talent to be players and everyone can be a spectator!