Shelley Cohen
Voice Actor
Coach
Audio & Video Writer & Producer
Phone: 613-447-7435
Email: hello@shelleycohenvo.com
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
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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
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On and off-camera Actor/Voice Actor for corporate /web explainer videos, e-learning, radio and TV commercials, and telephony;
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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;
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Online coach 2024/23/2022/2021/20 and writer / teacher “Becoming a Voice Actor” privately – between 2011 and 2020.
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Wrote and delivered Narration Basics courses; coach individuals in vocal development and presentations; now offer 1-on-1 voice coaching/training online;
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Wrote script for the Natural Resources Canada program “Geomapping for Energy & Minerals” recruitment video;
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Wrote English script and produced English and French radio Public Service Announcements for the “Aboriginal Treaties” Exhibition – Library and Archives Canada;
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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;
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Narrated 2 ACTRA award-winning radio programs – "The Romance Novel" – CBC “Ideas” and “The Plague” – CHEZ-FM;
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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
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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
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EDUCATION
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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