What’s coming up next?
Beginning Voiceover
We teach this 8-week Zoom class a few times a year. Never more than 12 students — so that we can focus on YOU as an individual and how you read. AND…. you get to hear others just starting out. This is EXTREMELY helpful for everyone. Even if you have a lot of acting experience. What is voiceover? How do I get started? What’s the difference between commercial and promo? Do I get a demo made right away (answer… generally, no.) Do I really need to learn commercial to do animation (YES.) Our Beginning VO workshop on Zoom is a fantastic place to start. You’ll learn more about the industry — and learn enough to create a path for yourself.
We do live Zoom classes and we do courses that you work through on your own.
Audiobook Narration
It’s fairly easy to get a book to narrate — but ARE YOU READY???? Do you know how to set up a studio, read for 30-40 plus hours? What goes into script prep? What do I do if I get sick while recording a book?
There’s so much to learn about books. START HERE!
Learn about Singing
To learn to sing — book private sessions online. We will be offering some retreats this year — and we will be singing in person too! But for weekly lessons, click below…
Learn More About Public Speaking
We need communication skills — whether in person or online. Come refine your stage and mic techniques, learn how to use your camera on Zoom and how the “speaking” part of pubic speaking is only half of the communication happening.
Vocal Health
You only get one voice. And you want to protect and care for it. While we are not speech therapists we can refer you to the right places if you need help. And we can also train proper techniques for how to support your voice for life.
Level 2 Voice Over Courses!
After you take Beginning VO, you’ll want to focus. Here are the Level 2 courses we offer throughout the year:
Commercial
Animation/Video Game
Medical and Technical Narration
Promo
iZoptope RX and How to Use It
Have additional inquiries?
We are here to help. Let’s engage in a conversation.
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Seattle Voice Academy goes beyond group classes (all online now btw) by offering one-on-one coaching AND singing coaching as well. This personalized approach allows for tailored instruction and a focus on individual growth and development. The dedication of the instructors to their students’ progress is truly commendable.
Wesley Eagle
2025
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Shana is really great. I do a lot of public speaking in my job and I started working with Shana to improve my presentation skills for both live and online presentations. I have enjoyed working with her and I would highly recommend her. Thanks, Shana!
Amy Walker
2019
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With instruction that in comprehensive, interactive, and highly entertaining, the SVA team has propelled me forward in my Voice Over quest, trimming years from my learning curve by maneuvering me around common pitfalls and potential mistakes… Each instructor is also a student – receiving additional coaching from experts in the field so that they can continue to bring the best curriculum to SVA students.
Dave Tucker
2017
Online Resource Library
Want to learn more about voice in general? Need help building a home studio? Want to read a TON of great articles?
Unlock Your Voice, Elevate Your Art – Come Play with Us!
We know what it takes to work in the arts. We teach acting, singing, vocal health and public speaking with a strong emphasis on “acting.” All of our instructors come from professional theatrical backgrounds. For every hour you spend learning from us, we expect you to put in three more on your own. That’s they key to mastering voice work of any kind. We are a collection of working theatre artists and voice-over professionals. We are film directors, on-camera commercial actors and we produce solo shows. We voice video games, eLearning, corporate narration, apps, audiobooks and more.
The Seattle Voice Academy began as the Seattle Voice Institute in 2015, and was rebranded the Seattle Voice Academy in 2018.
Founded by Shana Pennington-Baird, the company offers both in-person and online courses in singing and voiceover, and works one-on-one with individuals to improve vocal health, longevity and effectiveness of each individual’s unique voice. We love what we do. Whether it’s our time behind the mic, working on monologues or taking apart a video game script, this is work we are extremely passionate about. We want to share that with you.