Today's article was contributed by Michaela Pereira, co-anchor of Los
Angeles' most popular weekday morning show, the "KTLA Morning News".
Michaela began her career at CHEK-TV in Victoria, Canada where she gained
notice and a local following. But head-turning began in earnest at Tech-TV in
San Francisco, where Michaela began as co-host on "Internet Tonight", moved on
to host "Big Thinkers", finally landing as prime anchor on "Tech Live". She was
also the internet correspondant for Buena Vista Television's nationally
syndicated "Ebert & Roeper and the Movies." We welcome Michaela and thank her
for sharing her thoughts... on Voice.
It's is perhaps one of the most identifying things about us. A feature that
can precede us, linger after we have left the room; one that can turn heads in a
crowd.
Others might say that our scent - or perhaps our visage are more important -
perhaps even more memorable. But imagine this; I can still recall the sound of
certain voices. Some were of people I know well – others were of people I have
never met, but perhaps heard on television or in movies. That is the power of
voice.
As a TV broadcaster, I have had to pay a tremendous amount of attention to my
voice, diction and pronunciation through the years. Unlike most who are new to
the business, early on in my career I didn't so much object to seeing myself on
screen - but rather detested the sound of my voice. I begged for years to be
given a voice coach. When that wish was finally granted, I was surprised to
learn that my voice wasn't broken - nor did it need fixing. Rather, it was an
instrument that I need to learn how to use properly. And with the proper
guidance, a whole lot of patience and some time - I was able to relax into my
voice.
I was lucky enough to fall into the hands of an excellent voice coach - whose
first words to me were about banishing the idea that I needed to sound like a
"broadcaster". Thanks goodness I "got that".
I believe there is tremendous power in a connection of voice with all the
other things that give good talent that intangible "it" quality ... presence,
composure, warmth, charm, humor, credibility... All of those qualities would be
uni-dimensional without a voice to give them life.
Would I have been as successful if my pleas for voice training had been
ignored? That's tough to know for sure, but one thing is clear - my performance
is miles ahead of where it was because I connected with MY voice.
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