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Shelley Cohen

Voice Actor

Coach

Audio & Video Writer & Producer

Phone:   613-447-7435

Location: Ottawa, Ontario

A Bit About Me

Hi, and welcome! As a seasoned voice actor with extensive experience in lending my voice to a variety of projects such as commercials, telephony, and corporate voiceovers, I’ve developed the ability to bring a diverse range of tones and styles to each job. I’m passionate about creating authentic connections with audiences, whether through warmth, humour, or sincerity. It’s been an exciting journey, and I’m always looking forward to the next opportunity to bring something fresh to the ear!

Work Experience

EXECUTIVE SKILLS SUMMARY

 

  • Voice Actor / Producer / Writer – Home studio with Rode NTG 5 microphone, FocusRite Scarlett 2i2 interface with a Windows 11 platform and Adobe Audition or Audacity Digital Audio Workstation (DAW); Source Connect, bodalgoCall, ConnectionOpen; former A.C.T.R.A. union member, 1984-1991

  • On and off-camera Actor/Voice Actor for corporate /web explainer videos, e-learning, radio and TV commercials, and telephony;

  • Former Traffic Commentator – CBC Radio, Ottawa – 5 years and AM/FM Radio Announcer - Private radio – 5 years, Kelowna and Castlegar, British Columbia​

 

ACHIEVEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

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  • For COHM, telephony voice for Rogers Group of Companies (including Fido and Shaw), National Gallery of Canada, Canada Post, President’s Choice Financial Mastercard, The Shopper’s Choice (TSC) channel, Ottawa Int’l Airport, Chateau Whistler Resort, plus many others for 30+ years;

  • Online coach 2024/23/2022/2021/20 and writer / teacher “Becoming a Voice Actor” privately – between 2011 and 2020.

  • Wrote and delivered Narration Basics courses; coach individuals in vocal development and presentations; now offer 1-on-1 voice coaching/training online;

  • Wrote script for the Natural Resources Canada program “Geomapping for Energy & Minerals” recruitment video;

  • Wrote English script and produced English and French radio Public Service Announcements for the “Aboriginal Treaties” Exhibition – Library and Archives Canada;

  • Wrote and narrated 2 television commercials for a hi-tech training company; and one for a Halifax law firm; wrote corporate videos for the National Capital Commission, Canadian Tire and Royal Bank; E-learningVoice Actor - Progressive Muscle Relaxation & Stress Response - National Defence Continental Productions;

  • Narrated 2 ACTRA award-winning radio programs – "The Romance Novel" – CBC “Ideas” and “The Plague” – CHEZ-FM;

  • First female radio announcer in Castlegar, British Columbia.

FREELANCE VOICE ACTING, WRITING, ON-CAMERA AND PRESENTATION WORK

1991 – Present - Virtual Receptionist

2024 - Voice Actor / Producer

Voicemail and On-hold services, COHM Technologies. Clients include
Rogers Canada, The Shopping Choice channel (TSC), PC Financial/Mastercard, Canada Post, Chapters Indigo, Chateau Whistler Resort, National Gallery of Canada plus many more across North America, Bermuda, Barbados and Brazil.

:30 & :60 sec. English & French PSAs - Ottawa Afrikan Festival 

Vocal Dynamo Productions


Voice Actor Video: In-show & Web - "Green Leaves - Discoveries from the Drawings Vault"

National Gallery of Canada, Bartmart Audio


Voice Actor: English overdub for three Francophone Canadian Army Veterans - "In their Own Voices: Stories From Canadian Veterans and Their Loved ones”

Canadian War Museum, Canadian Museum of History


Voice Actor Commercial: Toronto only - Voiceforenergy.ca

Acart Advertising, Bartmart Audio


Virtual Receptionist: On-hold - Airex Services

Vocal Dynamo Productions


Voice Actor: Podcast Commercial - Gemco Diamonds

Vocal Dynamo Productions, COHM


Workshop Designer/Presenter: “Speaking & Breathing: Sounds Easy, Right?” (2) 90-min. presentations to Priority Management staff, worldwide


Voice Actor/Producer: Medical Training Video - "Dr. Anna"

Symbicort, Vocal Dynamo Productions and Rival Animation – London, U.K.

2023 Radio and Animated Video

Public Service Announcement: Ottawa African Festival 2023

Pan Afrikaan Coalition, Vocal Dynamo Productions

Animated Videos Voice Actor: Four Mental Health Videos

Gordon Group, Vocal Dynamo Productions

2022 Explainer – Short Film

Voice Actor: Voice #2 – The Ring

Vocal Dynamo Productions

2021 Radio Ads
Voice Actor / Writer / Producer
 

Voice Actor/Writer/Producer: English/French Ottawa Virtual African Festival 2021

Vocal Dynamo Productions

E-learning Voice Actor: Retirement Home Registration Authority Compliance Assistance Module on Infection Prevention and Control

Bartmart Audio

Web Explainers Voice Actor: Nine Election 2021 Voter Information Explainer Videos – Elections.ca

General Assembly Productions Centre (G.A.P.C.)

2020 Voice Actor / Writer / Producer

E-learning Voice Actor: Intimate Partner Violence course Military Family Resource Centre

Continental Productions

Web Explainers Voice Actor: Nine Election 2019 Voter Information Explainer Videos - Elections Canada Website G.A.P.C.

TV Documentary Voice Actor: “Magdalena” – “Skindigenous - Columbia”

Aboriginal People’s Television, Affinity Studios

E-learning Voice Actor: Progressive Muscle Relaxation & Stress Response – Dept. of National Defence (DND)

Continental Productions

E-learning Voice Actor: Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority, Behaviour Management

Bartmart Audio

Telephony Producer/Voice Actor: Majestic Marble Concord, Ontario

Vocal Dynamo Productions

2019 Voice Actor / Producer

E-learning Voice Actor: Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority, Compliance Assistance Module on Emergency Planning

Bartmart Audio

Radio PSAs Voice Actor / Producer: Toronto and Ottawa African Music Festivals

Vocal Dynamo Productions

Web Explainers Voice Actor: Nine vignettes - Elections Canada 2019 Voter Information

G.A.P.C.

Web Video Voice Actor: What is the Canadian Technology Accelerator? Global Affairs Canada

R&D Creative - G.A.P.C.

Web Video Voice Actor: Walking Tour

Canadian Museum of History

Web Video Voice Actor: How to Expunge Your Record - Parole Board of Canada

R&D Creative G.A.P.C.

2018 Voice Actor / Producer

Sivic Animation Video

Vocal Dynamo Productions

Web Explainer Voice Actor: Elections Canada Voter Information Campaign (Test) G.A.P.C.

Radio Voice Actor: Ottawa African Festival 2018

Vocal Dynamo Productions

Training Video Voice Actor: Firefighter Evaluators - National Defence

Vocal Dynamo Productions

Video Voice Actor: OneGC - Three videos - Treasury Board of Canada

G.A.P.C.

2017 Workshop Creator / Facilitator, Voice Actor

Workshop Creator / Facilitator: ‘Your Voiceover Launch’ half-day workshop

Fat Dog Productions

Designer / Presenter: “Presenting...YOU! For IM Professionals” Workshop ARMA 2017 Conference

Verney Event Management

E-learning Voice Actor: Integrated Management System (IMS) 2017 – Transport Canada

Fat Dog Productions

Telephony Virtual Receptionist: Airex and Octacom

BluArc Communications

Video On-Camera: (Nurse) – Physician - Patient Communication Course

Canadian Medical Protective Association (C.M.PA.)

Recipient Biographies Announcer: Prime Minister's Awards for Teaching Excellence - 2017 & 2016

G.A.P.C.

2016 Animated Web Video Voice Actor

Animated Web Video Voice Actor: Online Mail and Mobile App for Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), Stick Mom on YouTube and the CRA website

Bartmart Audio

2015 Video Voice Actor

Video Voice Actor: Explaining customs declarations upon returning to Canada for Canada Border Services Agency

G.A.P.C.

Web Video Voice Actor: International Anti-Cartel Day - Competition Bureau - R&D Creative

Bartmart Audio

2014 Voice Actor / Producer 

Video Producer: Military Personnel Management Capability Transformation (MPMCT) / Guardian Human Resources System

Dept. of National Defence (DND)

Webinar: Fall 2014 – “MPMCT: Changing the Way we do Business”

DND

E-learning Voice Actor: Four 'callers' with varying accents – Service Canada

Webvoicer Productions

Video Voice Actor: "Welcome to Canada” – Canada Border Services Agency – R&D Creative

Bartmart Audio

​​

OTHER RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE

 

2007 – Present:

Owner – Vocal Dynamo Productions

2007 – January 2024:

Various Communications Consultant Positions – Federal Government, Ottawa

September 2011 – 2020:

“Becoming a Voice Actor” course developer and teacher – COHM Technologies, Fat Dog Productions and online privately

Sept. 11 – Dec. 13 - Instructor – “Becoming a Voice Actor” course – COHM and Algonquin College

Nov. 2003 – May 2006:

Part-time A/Talent Agent – First Stage Talent & Casting Agency, Ottawa (On-call, and full-time)

Feb. 1984– June 1990:

Traffic Commentator – CBO Radio, Ottawa

May 84 – June 91 - Fill-in Announcer, Writer/Co-producer - Your Health documentary series, CBC Radio 

Swing Announcer / Host – CHIM-FM, Kelowna, B.C. (Incl. hosting a Classical music show.)

Feb. 1981 – Nov. 1983:

Swing Announcer / Host

Aug. 1979 – Feb. 1981: CKQR, Castlegar, B.C. (First female radio announcer in Castlegar) ​​

TECHNICAL SKILLS

 

Digital, Radio / TV / Print production using Canva, PowerPoint, PixelBay

Adobe Audition, Audacity, Source Connect Standard, bodalgoCall, ConnectionOpen, Advanced M365, MS Office 2016

​

EDUCATION

​

Diploma Broadcast Communications (Radio) - B.C. Institute of Technology - Burnaby, B.C.

 

EXTENDED EDUCATION

 

Voice Coaching / Training:

​James Alburger

Tony Alcantar – General American dialect 

Liz Atherton

Marc Cashman

Anne Ganguzza 

Larry Hudson - Audacity & Adobe Audition 

Lau Lapides (Agent and member of Talent Inner Circle) - Audition Preparation and showcase

Deb Munro

Steven Reisberg - Coach - Global Voice Acting Academy (GVAA)

Audio Book Week – Rachel Naylor & guests - The Voiceover Network 

 

MEMBERSHIPS / AWARDS / GIVING BACK

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Auxiliary of Hillel Lodge Long Term Care Centre - Volunteer – Communications, and lead, Raffle and Silent Auction – Great Games Event 2023 and 2024

Arc-en-ciel Interfashion Show February 2017 M.C. ‘Mediterranean Melodies’ M.C. – Fundraiser – Wrote script & co-hosted

Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee and Employee Satisfaction Committee – Iron Horse

Group 2005-06

Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (A.C.T.R.A.) - 1984- 91

Grade 8 Piano – Royal Conservatory of Music

Girl’s Hi-Y Award – Gr. 12 – Woodroffe High School, Ottawa

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