Looking for voice coach in the Washington DC area

Philip Hwang

Hello everyone: I am getting ready to jump into this field, and I know I need to find a voice coach who will train me and help me prepare a demo CD. I live in the Washington DC area. Can anybody recommend anyone?

Tom Pagnotti · Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007, 12:45 (GMT) Post subject:

Hello Phillip

There are several in the DC area - one of the best is Michael Minetree. http://www.minewurx.com/html/yourcoach.html

I can highly recommend this guy... he will “audition” you… and he’s not inexpensive, but cheaper some others.

But the bottom line is that you’ll learn from someone quite successful in the field. And you’ll learn from the moment you start training with him.

Good luck!

Caryn Clark · Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007, 13:21 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Philip,

You don't necessarily have to train with someone in your area. For example, I live in Florida, and while the area I live in is chock full of pro vo artists that we all hear everyday, they don't necessarily coach. Most coaches will do "phoners" - coach by phone. I've had coaches in NYC and LA this way.

Break a lip! Caryn

Tom Pagnotti · Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007, 13:30 (GMT) Post subject:

Good point Caryn... in fact, while I spent 15 years in Washington - it was coincidental that I found and used this guy in DC - I live in New England now and we did our sessions via Skype.

Jeffrey Johnson · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007, 05:37 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Philip,

I'm in the same boat in Northern Virginia -- wanting to explore the waters in VO. I found Michael Minetree via google and he has a great site and seems to be a pretty impressive guy, but I'll be damned if I can get ahold of him. Over the past two weeks I've e-mailed him and left a voice-mail, but he hasn't called back, for whatever reason. Maybe he's not doing any screenings right now.

Fairfax County cable access (channel 10) offers an intro voice-over class, which might do to see if I stand any chance at this. I'll be interested in following this thread to see if any other local coaches come up.

All the best,
Jeff

Lia Pendarvis · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 25 Sep 2007 Posts: 6

Hello Everyone!!

I recently took my first "test the waters" class over at Marshall high school after years of being told this is the industry I should be in. I'm still in the process of deciding if I should take Dan Levine's Master Class in Vermont (I can't get any students to write me back).

As for as Mike Minetree goes; I have too have been trying to contact him as he lives practically down the street from my home! I guess the VO business is keeping him busy these days.

I have purchased my equipment and am reading everything under the sun, but my next big hurdle is coaching. I took voice lessons for awhile many moons ago, but a lot of that is coming back to me as I read through VO literature.

Maybe telephony might be the way to go for now.

Good Luck Everyone

Roy Bunales

Hi Philip,

I grew up in the Washington DC area. I got my start at the Columbia School Of Broadcasting in Northern Virginia back in 1998. I've been in the biz now 6 years. It was affordable and it teaches you more than just broadcasting. It teaches you to develop your own style of voice. Keep in mind, you have to have a passion for it or you'll easily be frustrated.

I'm not the kind of guy that likes to say I love my job . . . but heck . . . I sure love what I do. And I don't mind receiving compensation for what I do. Check out CSB and the instructors will be your voice coaches and friends for life.

Dale Leopold · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007, 20:30 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Philip,

I just started working with an excellent voice coach in Bethesda, MD named John Burr. See http://www.johnburrproductions.com for contact info. He has an excellent understanding of vocal dynamics, coming from a musical background. How good is he? Well, let me put it this way: I'm driving up to Bethesda from Richmond, VA every other week to work with him...

BTW I was also considering Minetree, even got a positive appraisal about him from James Alburger (albeit not from his own personal coaching experience). But I was put off by the lack of 2007 updates on his website and message board. Don't know what the story is, and I won't speculate out of ignorance. keine ahnung

As for Lia's message further up-thread, I also got the Master Voice class fly to Vermont studio yada-yada pitch from Dan Levine, which was very exciting and flattering considering he was the first professional to hear me read copy. But I balked at the price, and decided that however good he may be, I didn't like the idea of recording a demo with only a few sessions of training. Rolling Eyes

As it stands now, I'll probably record my demo with John Burr in Feb. or March '08--but only if we both think I'm ready.

Anyway, best of luck, and if you decide to check out John, tell him I sent you.

Cheers,
Dale G. Leopold
Richmond, VA
"The Next Voice You Hire"

Philip Hwang · Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007, 16:57 (GMT) Post subject: THanks!

Thanks for all your input everyone, I appreciate it!

Phil

Michael Minetree

I just found this post 9 months later.... Funny I guess.
I was hard to get a hold of then - probably not as hard to get a hold of now.. I'd like to thank you all for your consideration and kind words.. Sorry we never met up.. I don't call everyone back all the time - mainly because I don't take all comers as students... It's the one thing that makes me different from all the others. Please don't take it personally. Hope you all found a good coach and some success.. Minetree