Simon Stafford
"This training completely transformed my approach to VO."
Simon Stafford came to BRAVA with experience in radio news broadcasting and recording educational textbooks but without formal training in voice or performance. He recognised that to pursue a meaningful career in voiceover, he needed to develop both his technical and creative skillsets. Simon sought out BRAVA to build confidence, expand his emotional range, and learn how to bring scripts, brands, and characters to life.
Simon said:
"I joined this training because I knew my lack of formal training was holding me back. BRAVA's tailored approach and ties to the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School made it the perfect choice for me. I was initially hesitant, fearing failure, but I now view that fear as an irrational barrier I’ve overcome. The training not only gave me the technical tools but also helped me discover a new sense of confidence in my potential as a voice artist."
During the Stage 1 Narration course, Simon learned to physicalise the written word, infusing emotion and life into his voice. He also gained valuable insights into the business aspects of the industry, giving him a strong foundation for his future career. Simon credits the training with completely changing how he approaches scripts and building his confidence to work professionally in voiceover. Over the course of STAGE 2: Commercial, Simon learned how to deepen his knowledge of the craft, applying the skills to commercial VO and further exploring the foundations laid down in STAGE 1. Simon also took the Accents and Dialects masterclass - a highly intensive course of study into bringing characters to life and was able to bring his understanding of Mandarin and Korean to the work.
Simon said:
"Melissa’s thoughtful guidance made me believe I could work as a professional VO. Her mentoring was exceptional—welcoming, encouraging, and inspiring. It feels like I’ve found a mentor who genuinely cares about my progress and me as a person. I now approach scripts and the craft itself completely differently and with much greater confidence."
"This training has opened my eyes to how rich and broad voiceover work is as a craft. It’s about so much more than ‘having a nice voice.’ VO demands life-long learning, which is exactly the kind of immersive career I’ve been searching for. I’m excited to continue my journey and grow further in this industry."
Simon’s next steps include cutting his Commercial Demo, further practise and continuing to expand his acting skills through masterclasses and 1-1 support.
Melissa said:
“Simon approaches everything he does in such a deep and methodical way. His fluent Mandarin and conversational Korean is a key asset to his voice work and it has been such a pleasure to work closely with him to explore, refine and extend his skillset. Simon’s understanding and experience of the corporate world, along with his extensive language skills make him the perfect choice for corporate narration and localisation work. We look forward to supporting him along the way and celebrating his success.”
Take the First Step Toward Your Voiceover Career
Like Simon, you may have the passion and drive but need the right training to bring your skills to a professional level. At BRAVA, we provide expert guidance, industry insights, and a supportive learning environment to help you grow in confidence and craft.
Apply today and start building the foundations for a meaningful career in voiceover.
