FEATURING ELIAH
You've helped so many to launch and grow their VO careers. What makes you most proud as a teacher and mentor?
I love that the Dojo is a home for such a diverse array of people who are ready to heed the call and take action on their VO visions. We have a beautiful range of ages, from 14 to 80, and life experiences- Broadway cast members, Grammy Award- winning opera singers, influencers, models, retired judges, firefighters, army colonels, and creatives of all sorts-getting their voices aligned with making money to live their passions fully and freely.
What's one of your favorite success stories from a V.O. Dojo student?
There have been so many over the years, but one of our recent Dojo Black Belts, Anderson Stinson III, embodies everything the Dojo is about.
A pre-med student turned theater major, Anderson took You Should Do Voiceover, when he was just finishing college. He went off on his own and had some success in booking some jobs, but he came back to the Dojo, recognizing that he wanted to reach the highest levels of the business and wouldn't be able to get there alone. With humility, he chose to start at Yellow Belt, the beginning of the Mystery to Mastery program. Anderson consistently showed up and quickly became the backbone of a committed, connected, and collaborative community-a shining example for and biggest supporter of his Dojo colleagues.
When he was a Blue Belt, he was scouted by Cope Management, a top voiceover management company, and was ready to deliver! He also signed with Portia Scott at Coast to Coast and is booking regularly, being mentored by legendary VO talents, and is aligned for his first six-figure year.
What do you think is essential for breaking into voiceover today?
Making the decision to do it. Embracing an empowered mindset. Developing your skill set to a competitive level. Practice and "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."
persistence, hands-on experience. Support, and doing it together with community.
What excites you most about the future of voiceover?
As Al becomes more prevalent, I think it is going to require that each of us really examines and advocates for what it means to be human. Our voices are the heart of how we express being human, and the demand for authentic connection and genuine emotional resonance will only increase. We are going to need to stand up for that concept and stay in an authentic relationship with each other. Like with any technological advances, voiceover will need to adapt and evolve. So, how will we be thinking ahead and sticking together?
LET'S CONNECT!
If you are just starting out or ready to take it to the next level, sign up for a Voice Over Once Over Call (www.theVOdojo.com/fusion) to talk about where you are and how we can help you get to where you want to be!
With your Voice Over Once Over, you'll get a FREE Spectator Pass ($49 value) for one of our V.O. Pro Fight Club Workouts. Watch and learn from the pros! Check our website (www.theVOdojo.com) for FREE monthly events like our Ask the Sensei Q&A (with recent guests like Bob Bergen and Dave Fennoy) and Get to Know VO, inspiring webinars to move your VO career forward. Follow us @theVOdojo (Instagram, Facebook, X)