The People Behind The Scenes At The Voice Shop
The Student who became a Teacher
By Keith Brunson
At one time, all of us have been a student. And at one time in our lives, most of us have been a teacher to someone. So today, we’ll talk about the Student that became a teacher and a leader and is living to see the rewards of this worthy ideal. Jessica Schechter is one of the people behind the scenes at The Voice Shop, and she is Not “just getting started.” Her journey began years ago. But before she became a leader in The Voice Shop, she was at first a student and a serious one. A student of the arts. A writer, a director, a performer, and a producer in New York City. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in theatre from NYU and an MFA in directing from The Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University.
Even though her daily studies were not pinned down to one professor, she was studying within the energy field of late great James Lipton. Mr. Lipton is known to millions for his hit television show “Inside The Actor’s Studio,” a show broadcast on the Bravo network. Lipton was the creator of many of yesteryear’s famous soap operas and was a Broadway actor who became a demigod in the education of the creative arts. The format of his show was simple. Present a famous actor to tell stories to a live audience of elite students and allow them to hear first-hand how the celebrated performer achieved their goals. And in the audience, which were students would become future creators in directing, writing, and the profession of teaching others. And that’s where our story begins.
Jessica Schechter started her journey as a student in voice work and is now a leader at The Voice Shop in New York City.
James Lipton was known for years as the most famous teacher of the MFA program at Pace University. Getting in was not easy. His method of teaching was focused on only the serious and centered around “method acting.” The “Method” involved teaching a performer to embody the emotions of the characters they portrayed. To become that character. To not act, but to BE the character. And it worked. So, if a student could afford the school and had good grades, this had little to do with the admittance program. If you wanted to be a part of this program, you had to be special already. The stories are endless about people who wanted acceptance into the school, but Mr. Lipton and his colleagues just wouldn’t let that happen. Lipton only ordained the most promising students into his sphere of influence. And he dominated the landscape of creative education for the rest of his life. He died on March 2, 2020. He wasn’t the only professor of the arts, but he became its shining beacon for everyone seeking to be the very best. And that is why James Lipton graduated some of the best film students in the world. Just ask Bradley Cooper. He was a graduate. And so was Jessica Schechter. And she’s the focus of this profile on the people behind the curtain at The Voice Shop http://www.voiceshopcoaching.com/
Jessica Schechter with acting instructor icon and “Inside The Actor’s Studio” TV show host James Lipton.
Jessica is the Director of Education at The Voice Shop, and she doesn’t just lead; she is an accomplished voice actor. So, it does make sense to Jessica to set the highest example for others to follow. And rightfully so. Her skill set is impressive. And these days, if you enter The Voice Shop, you’ll cross paths with Miss Schechter because she is your first point of contact when you inquire into voice study. She is the designer of the curriculum. And she is the person that counsels those who call in to inquire about the educational programs that are available.
Jessica is 34 years old, but she clearly is an old soul. Her MFA from NYU started the journey. But the work that followed blazed a trail that easily allows the learned Student to follow. She doesn’t only create the education program at The Voice Shop; she leads by example as the voice of some of the most impressive companies in the world. She remains a student of the art form and, by doing so, produces exceptional voice tracks. Just listen. jessicaschechter.com/voiceover
But how did all of this happen? “I fell into it,” says Jessica. “In 2015, when we started The Voice Shop, we began to search for ways to attract students who wanted to learn the voice-over business.” That ambition led to hiring other very talented voice instructors who were specialists in their genre. That focus fostered a goal to enlighten talented people and bring their talents forward. “And we have classes teaching the fundamentals and advanced classes as well to help the students to find their voice.”
So, as you’re reading this, you might think that your voice as a woman may not be sensual enough. If you’re a man, you might think you don’t sound deep enough. “And none of that matters anymore,” says Jessica. “There is a market for every voice out there IF the student is ready to learn how to FIND that voice.” Inspirational voices, relatable voices, and animated voices all have a market in today’s voice over world. And with the advent of the internet, there is more need than ever before to sound natural and normal, versus the like the radio DJ top 40. “Yes, those days are gone, and the desire to cast voices that sound like real people is the new movement,” comments Jessica. “It has opened the door for thousands of new talented people that at one time closed.”
Instructors on staff are also an influence of Jessica. “I recruited a lot of instructors because when we started, no one knew who we were,” she says, “so I needed fantastic teachers who could set the bar very high for what we wanted to accomplish.” And now, seven years later, The Voice Shop has nine instructors who all teach the art of voice over. And becoming a student of The Voice Shop means access and introduction to the producers who hire talent for all things of which are voice. It’s a win-win situation for the Student. They do not just get an education. They get an introduction to the people who hire talent. And the program is working.
Jessica remains active in the actual practice of the art form she loves. She has voiced spots for Amazon, Samsung, PBS, Heineken, Verizon, Schneider, and der Electric plus (30+) other commercial clients. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dux6kG13QWM And currently, she’s producing and acting in the award-winning hit web series “Soon By You.” So she’s part of a student’s experience when you enroll in The Voice Shop.
“I love this work,” says Jessica. “To take a script and bring it to life delivers enormous emotional satisfaction.” Jessica feels there’s a place for everybody in voice over. It’s all a function “of ambition,” comments Jessica. And so, if you’re reading this story right now and wondering if voice over work Is right for you, we will close with an ancient Chinese proverb by Tao Te Ching in 400 BC. His philosophy continues to have meaning today. And it completes this story in the most profound way. It may apply to you, and it goes as follows: “When the student is ready, the teacher appears.”