Kathy Matchiner's world is filled with voices.
One minute it might be a crabby New York cab driver, and the next it's Hillary Clinton addressing a U.N. peace
conference. Or Rej the mouse, who thinks everything is "rad."
The voices are radically different. But they have one thing in common - they're all coming from Matchiner.
And no, she's not schizophrenic.
Matchiner is a professional voice-over artist who has lent her vocal talents to films, TV commercials, cartoons, theme
park attractions and just about everything in between.
"Voice-overs have really taken off," the Monrovia resident said. "There are a lot more opportunities these days to
get those jobs. But it's a business like anything else. You have to have passion and perseverance. To do well, you
really have to have a work ethic."
Matchiner's definitely got that.
After earning a bachelor's degree in music performance and music education from Portland State University, she
spent two years studying opera in Italy, performing leading roles on some of the finest stages in Europe.
Matchiner returned to the U.S. to study at Juilliard under distinguished soprano Ellen Faull and has performed soloist
roles at New York City Opera House, the Danny Kaye Playhouse and Carnegie Hall, among others.
Matchiner currently teaches voice-over, musical theater, and improv and animation classes at a variety of Southern
California locations.
And her methods work because her students have appeared on "Star Search," "America's Got Talent," "America's
Most Talented Kid" and "American Idol."
Others have earned awards, starred in films, gotten agents, joined national touring companies and signed recording
contracts.
"You need to have some information and the right tools to figure out if voice-over is for you," Matchiner explained. "I
started this eight years ago when I got into jingles and fell in love with it."
Scott Acito, 37, of Mar Vista has worked in the voice-over industry for six years and is currently taking voice lessons
from Matchiner.
Her coaching, he says, has been a big help.
"The vocal chords are like any other muscles - you have to know how to work them so you can do four- to five-hour
sessions without hurting yourself," Acito said.
Matchiner said there are lots of opportunities out there for voice-over work.
"You can even stay at home and do it," she said. "All you need is a computer and a microphone. That's one of the
great things I like about this business. I love it because I have a lot more freedom."
kevin.smith@sgvn.com, 626-962-8811 626-962-8811
Finding the right voice: Kathy Matchiner shows students how to
develop vocal talents
By Kevin Smith, Staff Writer
Posted: 09/17/2010 10:43:28 PM PDT
develop vocal talents
By Kevin Smith, Staff Writer
Posted: 09/17/2010 10:43:28 PM PDT
Kathy Matchiner, of Monrovia, rehearses at her home in Monrovia, Thursday, September 16, 2010. Kathy
Matchner is an voice-related expert with a background in opera and musical theater. She also teaches
voice-over classes. (Correspondent Photo by James Carbone)
Matchner is an voice-related expert with a background in opera and musical theater. She also teaches
voice-over classes. (Correspondent Photo by James Carbone)
| LADDER OF SUCCESS: Kathy Matchiner TITLE: Vocal coach BUSINESS: Kathy Matchiner Vocal Studios LOCATION: Burbank, Pasadena, Monrovia PHONE: 818-455-3255 818-455-3255 ON THE WEB: www.kathymatchiner.com SECRET OF SUCCESS: Lots of experience, lots of talent and lots of enthusiasm |