I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed the workshop last Wednesday. Libby, you taught me more in that one session than I've learned in the three month program I'm currently in. Sincerely, Tom Flengeris, 2009

I appreciated very much the way you shared your expertise with us last week. Thanks for your advice about being compassionate when we listen to our own voices. Sandy Spurgeon, 2009

What a wonderful experience you have given to me and the other students! The course material, the workbook, the program design and you the instructors, were all first-class and gave us a practical understanding and pragmatic view of the voice-over business. This was a top-notch course and I would like to thank you for contributing so richly to my life and helping me better understand how to succeed in this business. Daniel Lalonde, 2009

I have taken so much away from this course and plan on putting it to good use with a career in voice work. I know I am starting with a good foundation and w/ further development I too can hone in on these skills. Thanks for all the useful critiques and advice by all, it is very much appreciated. I am so glad that Jack Dennis put me onto Voiceworx, as your course has given me a clearer idea of how and where to start in this vast industry. Cheers, Toya, 2008

“I had been in the voice business in the past and was looking for a way to re-enter it again. A friend recommended Mike’s workshops and I chose the Weekend Warrior because it got me from A to B fastest. All four sessions made me stretch my skills, and all were extremely informative. I followed Mike’s advice about self-promotion and within the following month found a studio interested enough in my voice to give me a radio commercial to read. You can’t go wrong with this course. Many thanks to Mike, Libby and John Stocker.” Bill MacLean, 2009

I just want to say thank you for a wonderful weekend. You really opened my eyes to the vast world of the voice community. Both you and Mike were wonderful to work with as was Robin and Rochelle. She actually got me out of my shell, and that is no easy task. Rob Schulz, 2008

I want to express my sincere thanks for this weekend's superb classes. The weekend — each session, without exception — surpassed anything I could have hoped for or expected. I especially appreciate a particular point that Mike made on Sunday afternoon. He said that these instructors all had to be respected voice artists, but they also had to be good teachers. As a teacher myself, I have sat through many, many training sessions led by professional educators, and I can't recall any time when I have been so deeply impressed by the consistent richness of the educational experience. Bruce Pirie, 2008

"Thank you for a an informative and enlightening workshop this past weekend. I enjoyed it and feel that it was a good first step in evaluating the voice over industry and ones potential to make a living at it." Naomi King, 2008

"I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend and the sessions. Thank you again for a great workshop." Elisabeth 2008

"Thank you so much for your work yesterday! The video turned out great! It was a pleasure working with you and we hope to work with you again in the future!" Megan, 2009

"Just wanted to let you know I recently attended my first voiceover audition and hey I got the part... Thanks again for all your help at Voiceworx." Lawrence King, 2007

"I had a great time working with Mike. I had an absolute blast and recommend the experience to anyone! Thanks again." Jaclyn Tanner, 2009

Well I just got my first contract. It's a 1-1.5 hour training video. Kind of a "Bob Villa" type... and I guess I "hit the nail on the head" for audition. Thanks for the help and encouragement. Jim G-S 2008

I just wanted to thank you for such a wonderful demo! Sarah Sheps, 2008

Mike... my first union job. Got it through the Docherty Agency here in Cleveland. Mark Shalashnow, 2006

...just wanted to say thanks for all your help in getting my voice demo done...I was very pleased with the outcome and the professionalism and great talent direction that I got from you Mike. Fernando Curcione 2005

It was so awesome, Libby! Both leaders were fantastic and the recording of the whole thing by Joe was terrific... once again, thank you and Mike for the excellent workshop. Sara Harrison. 2010

"I wanted to write and let you know how much my mom and I enjoyed the beginner's animation voice class at Voiceworx this past Saturday. Julie Lemieux and John Stocker were both so awesome and their energy and enthusiasm really made the day an exciting and refreshing one. Thanks so much! Can't wait to take more workshops with you guys again!" Kristin Adams, 2008

"Just a brief e-mail to say how much I have enjoyed the Voiceworx workshops. All the classes were informative and fun. I found all the teachers really seemed to enjoy what they were in to." Mike Bushell, 2007

"I wanted to let you know I had a very enjoyable and educational time with Julie Lemieux and John Stocker this past Saturday...it was well worth the time and money." Lloyd Penney, Toronto, 2007

"I want to thank for soooo much for the voice-over course Saturday. Michael had a fabulous time and said it was his favorite course EVER. He LOVED Ellen Ray soooooo much!!!!!!!! It was the first course that he sat me down to listen to the CD and went on....and on....and on....about what was said, who said it.....amazing!!!!!" Trish Regan, 2006

"It was AMAZING. I loved it." Linda Albanese, 2005

I just wanted to say Thank You for a great seminar last Saturday. I had a lot of fun, & learned NUFF! Anyway, I want more. Thank You, Patrick Haye, 2008

Today was perfect! I enjoyed every minute of the day with Debra and Jessie. You have no idea how many pointers I picked up.....not just from having my work critiqued but also listening to others. I certainly got my moneys worth! If you ever need a testimonial......I'm your girl. Faye Dance, 2007

Lovely workshop guys! Thank you. Rosa Laborde, 2007

I was part of the 9 at the workshop on Saturday and I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the day. It was so great to learn from the best and Jessie and Debra truly are. Thanks again, Andrea Rooz, 2007

What a great workshop! Jessie and Deb gave me so much to chew on, I really do feel more prepared to head out to those auditions... Once again, thanks to Voiceworx for hosting such an invaluable class! Richard Harte, 2007

Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the workshop a couple of weeks ago. I learned such a great deal - it really opened my eyes so much wider to the nuances of voice work, but also acting in general. Jessie and Debra were great. Thank you again - it was great! - Marshall Uretsky, 2005

"I thought the cartoon voice workshop this past Saturday was very good. Jessie and John were great and our group of 10 consisted mostly of experienced and committed actors. I'm glad I finally did it. Learned a lot. Thanks again." Dave Parasz

"I just want to thank you so much for that wonderful workshop on Saturday. I really had a much better time than I could have anticipated. Everything ran so smoothly. Everyone was on time. We got a lot of work done. There was tons of information and a wonderful working atmosphere. I couldn't believe I got my receipt within 24 hours. Don't know how you did it. It's like magic. It worked!" - Janet MacEwen

"Thank you for offering the 'Cartoon Voice Saturday' Workshop. I had the most incredible time! Jessie Thomson and Debra Toffan are fantastic directors. I learned so much from working with them in the studio and I have recommended the workshop to everyone I know!" - Jen Radomsky

"...this course is absolutely wonderful. Many thanks,"-Jayne, 2008

“I got to play a witch, a little boy, a teen princess, a rooster- it was a great variety!” --- R.D. 2008

“I thought this class (walla) was terrific and really, became the essence of the animation world for me; it’s about action, It’s about emotion and it’s about commitment. Not only is it important to know once I get the gig, but the walla work will now be a necessary part of my audition preps. Once I know how the character would laugh or sigh or fly through the air or cry, I can go in with a confident range of emotional possibility AND be able to pick up on the action story in the script." - C.B. 2008

“I thought your sides had a lot of range and were challenging at times to pull off. That was a good thing. It gave me the opportunity to stretch… what a complete honour it was to be invited into this class…. This format was extremely beneficial to me…. Thank you for sharing your cartoon voice wisdom.”- R.H. 2008

“Jessie, the course was really great. I'm so glad to have been part of the first one.” - J.T-M. 2008

“I think audition practice is perhaps the most useful thing to end with because that is what we are all going back to doing. The scene work and walla are great tools to equip us for when we land the job and I think you balance the two very well… awesome!... I had an amazing time. Felt like I learned a tonne and really enjoyed your style. It was also nice to be with other professionals and not just people who were thinking this is a lark.” - J.C. 2008

Mike Kirby's Voiceworx.com Review by Roger King

The legendary Mike Kirby invited me to sit in on his documentary and narration class, the second of 4 nights of training that his Voiceworx program offers in their Monthly Voice Over Workshop (www.voiceworx.com). I love sitting in on workshops. It’s not so much the perverse pleasure of watching nervous first-timers tremble as they step to the mic, alone in the booth, while 7 or 8 of their fellow peers watch and listen intently. It’s that I like to know what goes on in these courses. What are they teaching the youth of today? I really want to do more of this, so I can have an informed opinion when people ask me - and believe me, they do - where they can get voice over training.

I spent 3 hours not only observing Mike Kirby putting voice students through the documentary narration paces but participating as well. What?! This was not in the contract. I’m supposed to just drop by these workshops, a mysterious figure lurking in the back of the room, quietly observing the proceedings. But Mike insisted I read aloud with the students and even sent me in the booth at the end to read a corporate piece. That aside, I really enjoyed the experience!

Running the agency from my home office - or by blackberry from the pub - I don’t always get the chance to be in studio with talent, especially up and comers. I always love the mix of characters who are drawn to pursuing voice work in various stages of their lives. Everything from the bearded 50-something documentary buff to the young actress just brushing up on her voice skills to the 20-something fashion maven who shows up late, wearing the big white Russian winter hat and red high-heeled boots.

Mike assigned each student a narration script, ranging from a standard Boys and Girls Club of Canada corporate piece to a character driven docu-drama monologue from a character looking for drugs on the streets of Mumbai. He would direct and critique each aspiring performer, all the while mixing in observations about the industry and spinning anecdotes from his long and distinguished career in the biz (www.mikekirby.ca). As mentioned, this is one of 4 nights in the Voiceworx intro program, each one taught by a different instructor. I look forward to sitting in on future Voiceworx sessions.