Andrea's Birthday Wish - Voice Coaching

Hello friends!

It's Andrea and I am stepping out of my comfort zone as I approach my 43rd birthday at the start of April. I am asking for your support in my next life/career adventure, emotionally and financially. Phew!

I have gone through a pretty amazing evolution in the last 5 years. I left my regular teaching job because I literally felt like I was a stranger to myself and my family. I was unhealthy physically and mentally. I wasn’t teaching the way I wanted to and wasn’t parenting the way I wanted to. I certainly wasn’t the partner to Chris I wanted to be. I found a better balance with self-care and found the movement practice of Nia and Moving to Heal (life-changing). I reconnected with my whole self. In 2017 I started my journey of realizing I had an autoimmune disease (Ankylosing Spondylitis) and wanted to feel better. It was a gift of self-discovery and healing. Chris and I officially got married at the end of 2017 after 16 years of partnership. In 2018 I started teaching Nia. It quickly expanded to sharing Nia-inspired movements with kids at the school, yoga and SEL lessons (Social Emotional Learning). I was subbing at the high school I used to teach at and now sub at the elementary school my kids attend. I have had to learn over and over again how to balance work, overwhelm, self-care and family life on a limited budget. Chris has been the main source of income since I left my regular teaching job. It’s a lot of pressure on him to keep the kids and me afloat. When I fill my subbing schedule too much, the kids inevitably need more from me for whatever reason (sickness or emotional needs). If I do too much physical work, my body needs a longer time to recover from inflammation. I returned to a regular teaching position last school year and it was clear that the stress was not helpful for my well-being and I had no energy left to give my kids. Subbing now is helpful, but not quite enough financially.

The main goal:

I have been exploring career options and…I want to dive into VOICE-OVER work! During the last 4 years, my adult Nia students have shared how much they enjoy my voice during class and when reading quotes/meditations at the end of class. “Andrea, I will pay you to read a meditation that I can listen to at night.” When I completed my 200-hour yoga training with Breathe for Change in October, other trainees told me I could have a career in voice-work (audiobooks, meditation apps etc). I sat with that idea for a while pondering “what-if’s”. In February I completed a Voice-Over workshop where I learned about the basics of what voice-over work entails. There is a wide range: radio commercials (local and national), voice-overs for TV commercials, company voicemails, on-hold narrations, online learning experience narrations, audiobooks, meditations, character work (animation or video games) and on and on and on. During the workshop, I recorded a mock radio commercial and had so much fun! A whole new side of my personality came out. When it was played back with background music, dang! I sounded really good!

Having a “good” voice may not mean you have a “marketable” voice. After the workshop, I made an appointment with a voice coach to have my voice analyzed to see if I have a “marketable” voice. Turns out, YES, I do! And not just a voice for reading meditations. All my years as a classroom teacher and Nia instructor have really helped with my breathwork, tone and delivery.

To be successful in the voice-over field, I need voice coaching and professional demos made. I have a coach picked out who will guide me in exploring all the awesome things my voice can do and write custom scripts for my demo reels to match my strengths. She will also guide me through marketing, make sure my audio is set up to produce professional recordings and help me with real auditions. Another perk of voice-over work is that I can do it all from home with flexibility. I can continue to share Nia and Moving to Heal (which helps my body, mind and emotions stay healthy). And, I can still do some subbing at the schools as needed.

Specific Outcomes from my Voice Coach Bootcamp:

1-on-1 Sessions (14 days)

7 Fully produced Original Radio Commercials

1 Classic Commercial Demo + 1 bonus commercial to send to casting directors with demo

3 days of LIVE market audition challenges

A professional portfolio with all original scripts and industry-standard demo reel

I have audio equipment to get me started but will need to make a few upgrades (new mic, cords and stand). I will also need to do more soundproofing in my office/studio space.

Goal:

$1,600 Vocal Coaching (14 sessions, original scripts and professional demo)

$400 Equipment and Studio Improvements (mic, stand, new cords soundproofing)

$2,000 Total

I have not done much to celebrate my birthday these last 10 years or so. I was hoping to invite friends over for my 40th birthday and then everything shut down in 2020. As I continue to evaluate myself, my gifts and life, I realize how much I focus on others and let fear hold me back. I’m often scared to try new things (fear of failure and fear of success). I tend to not take up much space and don’t want to be seen or heard. Well, now I am quite literally finding MY VOICE! I am asking for something for ME. Please consider sending me encouraging and positive energy and affirmations as well as monetary donations of any amount. I’m looking forward to this career adventure, growing my confidence and sharing my voice with the world!

Thank you in advance for your consideration and generosity! You can join me via Zoom for a Nia, Moving to Heal or Chair Yoga class from anywhere: www.olympiania.com I will share my voice-over social media page once I get started!

Much love and gratitude,

Andrea Mikita