1. FOR ALL THE VIEWERS READING, PLEASE KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF.
My name is Bryan Roces. I’m a singer, actor, voice actor, and producer based in Saskatchewan, Canada!
2. PLEASE TALK ABOUT HOW YOU GOT STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.
I kind of fell into it. I always knew I wanted a creative career. Growing up, I was heavily involved in musical theatre, dance, and acting for film and TV. I discovered voice acting through my favourite cartoons and anime—it blew my mind that you could bring animated characters to life using just your voice. That sparked my interest, so I started taking classes, workshops—anything I could find to learn more.
Eventually, I took a step back to focus on school, and a couple of years later, I ended up working as a radio producer. In 2019, I decided to return to voice-over part-time, and I’ve been steadily building my career ever since.
3. WHAT MADE YOU GET STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY?
I’m originally from Calgary, Canada, and I first got into voice-over back in 2011 through workshops and Voice Gyms at VoiceSpot. It was a great experience—I learned a lot and made some lasting connections and friendships.
Eventually, I realized I needed to focus on financial stability, so I took a break from voice-over and went to radio school. Once I was in a better position, I returned to voice acting part-time in 2019. I dove back in by attending Zoom workshops and classes and searching for every opportunity I could find online.
4. PLEASE SHARE A MOMENT WHERE YOU FELT YOU WANTED TO BE INSPIRED TO BE A PART OF THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.
I had the chance to meet Jess Harnell, Maurice LaMarche, and Rob Paulsen at the Calgary Expo in 2013. I grew up watching Animaniacs, so meeting the voices behind some of my favorite childhood characters was an absolute dream. Jess Harnell, in particular, really inspired me and made a huge impact on the start of my career.
I chatted with him for a bit and told him I was interested in pursuing voice-over professionally. What really stuck with me was that when he came back two years later, he actually remembered me—and again, even three years after that. He’s such a genuine guy, and I’m incredibly grateful for his encouragement and those interactions. They played a big role in motivating me to pursue this path.
5. PLEASE TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE IN THIS INDUSTRY AND HOW YOU OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES.
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in this industry was overcoming my fear of failure. For most of my life, I was focused on doing everything perfectly, which made it hard to take risks. But when I started my voice-over journey, I realized that failure is part of the process—it’s how you grow and improve.
I’ve learned to embrace mistakes and treat them as opportunities to learn. If you’re unsure about something, ask questions. There’s always more to discover. Voice-over is a marathon, not a sprint. If you stay curious, keep learning, and aren’t afraid to stumble along the way, you’ll keep moving forward and eventually master your craft.
6. JAPAN IS KNOWN FOR SO MANY GREAT ICONIC VOICE OVER PEOPLE, SUCH AS CHARACTERS FROM ANIME OR MOVIES AND DUBBED TV SHOWS. WHO IS SOMEONE INSPIRATIONAL THAT YOU ADMIRE IN THIS INDUSTRY?
There are so many amazing voice actors I admire, but one who really stands out to me is Troy Baker. Every time I play a video game or watch an anime, I seem to recognize his voice—he’s everywhere! He’s incredibly versatile and has taken on such a wide range of roles, even voicing creatures and monsters.
What inspires me most is how seamless his performances are, both behind the mic and on camera. He brings so much depth and nuance to every character he plays. I haven’t had the chance to meet him yet, but it’s definitely on my bucket list.
7. IS THERE ANY PROJECT OR PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH OR COLLABORATE WITH?
Oh man, it would be a dream to work with Dante Basco—whether on a show like Avatar: The Last Airbender or in a film. I’m Filipino, so collaborating with a fellow Filipino actor on a project would be incredibly meaningful to me.
Another person I’d love to work with is Mark Hamill. He’s such an incredible actor, especially in the world of animation. I’ve watched interviews where he talks about how he finds voices for his characters, and it’s fascinating to hear his creative process. From the Joker to Firelord Ozai to Chucky—it’s amazing what he can do with his voice. I really admire that level of skill and creativity, and I aspire to become a performer like him someday.
8. PLEASE TALK ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF WORK YOU ARE CURRENTLY FOCUSED ON.
Right now, I’m focused on several areas of voice-over, including commercial work, character roles for video games and animation, dubbing, as well as explainers and eLearning projects. As of this interview, I’m also diving into imaging and learning a lot from it.
I’m really enjoying the process of exploring different voice-over genres. It’s been exciting to discover new skills and find my voice in various spaces. I’m grateful for where this journey is taking me and look forward to what’s next.
9. PLEASE TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU LIKE ABOUT HOLLYWOOD ENTERTAINMENT.
What I love about Hollywood entertainment is the sheer creativity that goes into performances and how actors express themselves to the public. A great example of someone I really admire is James Hong. He co-founded the East West Players, an organization that has done so much to raise the visibility of Asian actors and people of color in the industry, especially on stage in musicals and plays.
While I haven’t had the chance to see any of their shows, as I’m based in Canada, I’d love to visit someday and experience their performances in person.
10. WHAT VOICE OVERS DO YOU ADMIRE THE MOST FROM HOLLYWOOD?
Oh, there are so many, but I’d have to say Jennifer Hale is one of the most admirable voice actors. It’s inspiring to see a fellow Canadian achieving such incredible things in Hollywood. Not only is she a powerhouse in the industry, but she also holds the Guinness World Record for the most prolific female voice actor in video games—that’s an amazing accomplishment.
One of my favorite roles of hers is as Ivy in Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego. That was my favorite show growing up, and I had no idea she voiced Ivy until later. It’s such a great example of her range and talent!
What I love about Hollywood entertainment is the sheer creativity that goes into performances and how actors express themselves to the public. A great example of someone I really admire is James Hong. He co-founded the East West Players, an organization that has done so much to raise the visibility of Asian actors and people of color in the industry, especially on stage in musicals and plays.
While I haven’t had the chance to see any of their shows, as I’m based in Canada, I’d love to visit someday and experience their performances in person.
11. WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICE ACTOR?
A good voice actor is open to making mistakes and having fun with the process. Don’t be too hard on yourself—if you mess up, just try again. It’s all part of the journey. Always listen to your coaches; they know the ins and outs of the industry, and they genuinely want you to succeed. Never stop learning from them.
But perhaps the most important thing I’ve learned is to take care of yourself. Your health and your voice are your instrument, so you need to treat them with care. Finding balance in your life and prioritizing your mental health is essential. Taking care of your body is just as important as honing your craft.
12. NOW IN TODAY'S SOCIETY, EVERYTHING IS DONE BY REMOTE WORK. DO YOU ENJOY THIS PROCESS, OR DO YOU PREFER TO SHOW UP AT THE STUDIO?
I’m open to both remote work and studio recording. Since I’m based in Saskatchewan, most of my work is remote, but I’m always open to traveling for studio recordings, no matter what the role is. I have family in California and friends in Texas, so it’s convenient for me to travel when needed.
13. WHAT TYPE OF SPECIALTY IN VOICE OVER WORK DO YOU LIKE TO FOCUS ON, OR DO YOU HAVE SEVERAL TYPES?
I have a warm, youthful tone in my voice, which makes me a good fit for PSA work and upbeat, fun reads for commercials. I really enjoy those types of projects. At the same time, I’d love to explore other areas like working with accents and creating monster noises. I’m excited to see what other possibilities I can discover with my voice.
14. WHAT'S A TYPICAL DAY IN THE LIFE OF A VOICE OVER ACTOR?
For me, voice-over is part-time. My full-time job is as a producer at a radio station, so my typical day starts with my usual 8-5 job. After work, I focus on voice-over—doing auditions, marketing, and working on my craft. I always make sure to unwind before bed to reset.
While it may not sound too exciting, one of the key things I’ve learned on this journey is the importance of consistency. I set small, manageable daily goals for myself. And most importantly, I’ve learned to be kind to myself. If I ever feel overwhelmed, I remind myself that it’s okay to take a break and recharge.
15. WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR ANYONE THAT IS INTERESTED IN VOICE OVER WORK?
My advice for anyone interested in voice-over work is to do your research. Find a coach you trust, one that you can learn from and practice with. I also highly recommend taking acting and improv classes—many voice actors would agree with me on that.
I’ve met a lot of people who want to get into voice-over because they can change their voice or make funny noises, and while that’s great, there’s more to it. Can you act? Can you take direction and maintain that same voice throughout a long recording session? Voice acting requires more than most people realize, so it’s important to approach it with dedication and an understanding of its true depth.
16. IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICE OVER ACTOR?
A good voice actor is someone who puts in a great performance, no matter the project. Our job is to take the words off the page and bring them to life. Whether it’s a commercial, an audiobook, or a character in a video game, we’re responsible for making those words feel real and engaging.
When you listen to your favorite audiobook narrator or voice actor, pay attention to how they perform—their delivery, timing, and ability to bring emotion to the words. It’s not just about having a good voice; it’s about using that voice to create an unforgettable performance.
17. YOU ARE CURRENTLY ACTIVE AS A VOICE OVER. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR 2025? WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU FOR 2025?
For 2025, my main focus is mastering my weaknesses and continuing to grow. I’ve been diving into the marketing side of voice-over with the help of VOprenuer and learning a lot from their Playbook. I still have a lot to learn, but I’m excited to see where this journey takes me.
I’m also studying Imaging with the fantastic coach Harry Legg, and I’m really enjoying the process. There’s so much to learn in this genre, and I look forward to the day I can release my demo and start exploring new opportunities.
18. CAN YOU SHARE ANY EXCITING PROJECTS THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON NOW?
While it’s not voice-over related, I’m excited to share that I’ll be auditioning for Grease the Musical with Broadway North Theatre Company, and the show is set to happen in the summer. If I’m offered a role, it’s going to be a busy but exciting summer, and I’m really looking forward to it.
As for voice-over work, I’m not able to share anything specific at the moment, but once those projects are released, I’ll be sure to announce them on my social media!
19. IF SOMEONE WANTS TO HIRE YOU FOR ANY VOICE OVER WORK, CAN YOU PLEASE LIST YOUR WEBSITE AND HOW PEOPLE CAN REACH YOU?
You can find more about me and my work on my website at bryanrocesvo.com. Feel free to reach out to me via email, or you can follow me on social media @bryanrocesvo to stay updated on what I’m working on.
20. ANY LAST MESSAGE YOU'D LIKE TO SAY TO ALL THE READERS?
Don’t be afraid to try something new. You’ll never know what you’re capable of unless you take that first step.
