BIO
I've been a Toronto-based coach and instructor since 1998. I taught Improvisation at Gilda’s Club Greater Toronto for five years and at The Second City Training Centre for eight, specializing in Character and Monologue training. In 2007, I created Pirate Voice under the mentorship of one of Pirate Toronto’s founding partners, Terry O'Reilly. This commercial voice-over training and demo reel production program ran until early 2016. Now re-branded as Tracey Hoyt Coaching & Direction, I prepare voice talent for remote self-taped auditions and commercial demo reel records. I also offer general and customized coaching for animation auditions. A proud member of AACE - the Association of Acting Coaches & Educators - I have been a presenter at the Canadian Theatre Educators (CTEC) Conference and the Acting Educators Conference for Got Your Back Canada.
One-on-one Coaching sessions are curated to suit your specific goals - whether that’s learning a thorough vocal warm-up for microphone, trying out a new voice category, working on script breakdown, taking more risks in your auditions or preparing for a demo reel. I coach on Zoom and in person. Voice-over consulting and demo reel assessment services are also available.
Past workshop/Masterclass clients include ACTRA Toronto’s Act Your Age and Diversity & Inclusion Committees (Intro to Commercial Voice-Over & Self-Taping), ACHEV (Vocal Health, Script Analysis and Presentation/Improv Skills), Memorial University, Grenfell Campus (Commercial, Character and Narration Masterclasses, What to Expect as a Professional Actor), Hart House Creativity School (The Home Studio, Vocal Warm-Up and Vocal Health, Intro to Commercial, Animation and Audiobook Narration) and the U of T Graduate Studies program (Home Studio, Vocal Health and Narration Basics).
To request rates and further details, please email me at: tracey@traceyhoyt.ca
CLIENT FEEDBACK
Tracey is truly one of the best coaches I've ever worked with. What sets her apart is her incredible patience, her keen eye for detail and her genuine love for what she does. These qualities really come through in the way she teaches. I can honestly say that Tracey has been a huge part of my growth as a voice-over actor, pushing me to achieve things I never thought possible. If you're looking to really step up your game, get in touch with Tracey!!
- Savio Joseph, audition coaching client.
Tracey is one of the most insightful and supportive coaches I have ever had. Even after just one session with her, she was able to pinpoint several areas where I could improve my technique and provided me with strategies/tools that I now use for every audition. On top of all that her incredible demo production skills helped me create a commercial reel that let me confidently step out into the larger VO world and resulted in me signing with my first agent! It is not an understatement to say that Tracey's coaching played an absolutely pivotal role in the transformation of my voice-acting career!
- Seth Mahon, coaching and demo reel client
Training with Tracey, and working alongside her as a coach, helped me to realize that I wasn’t truly making the characters mine. I started to fully embrace my quirks while also applying her techniques of searching for clues in the script and marking the copy. I was having so much more fun with my reads! Now when I send off a self-tape, I am confident that I’m submitting a competitive audition that sounds uniquely mine. After many years, I finally booked not one but TWO roles on animated shows—both just so happen to be series regulars!!!! But I wouldn’t dare call it luck: it was hard work, trusting myself, patience, and a damn good teacher. I’m so grateful for Tracey’s guidance, and couldn’t have done it without her!
- Alicia Richardson, coaching client
Working with Tracey was inspirational. She balances a deep knowledge about her craft with a supportive honesty and a great sense of humour. The energy she brings to every coaching session inspired me to bring my best and to push myself to the limit. I would recommend her to anyone interested in voice-over.
- Nathan Chandler Michael Smith, Independent Study student
Tracey has so many golden nuggets of wisdom and expertise. She is a generous, knowledgeable, and highly skilled coach. After working with her, I had more confidence and pride in my auditions than I'd ever had and feel well equipped with the tools to self-direct.
- Thalia Gonzalez Kane, coaching client
You are truly in the presence of a voice over titan when you're working with Tracey. Her knowledge and experience are perfectly balanced with her kindness and considerate coaching. Want someone to help you up your game? Tracey is the person for you! When you work with Tracey, you come away with the confidence and improved skills to put your best work forward the next time you are in the booth.
- Andrew Cromwell, demo reel client
Whenever I am nervous about an audition, I always go to Tracey. Ever since our first coaching session and the creation of my reel, she is the focus that brings focus to my focus. I trust her to guide me down the right path, find the hidden opportunities in a script, and bring out the best in me.
- Chris James, coaching and demo reel client
Though I have been in the Voice Over business for a few years now, I lacked the artistry and process needed to take me to the next level. I was so lucky to have found Tracey! She summarized her deep wealth of knowledge in such a digestible yet concrete format for me to benefit from in my process. Her structure empowered me with the confidence I needed to really own my auditions and booth sessions - even over Zoom!
- Natalie Schnurr, coaching client
I was having trouble controlling my breathing and my pacing - and as someone who talks for a living, that’s an issue. After a coaching intensive with Tracey, I can already hear myself start to improve…and in areas that I didn’t know needed improving. From the warm-up to the end of the session, Tracey brings positive energy to the training. She is patient, incredibly kind with her feedback and knows exactly which direction to point you in.
- David Hannah, radio announcer/host & coaching client
Tracey is a patient and dedicated teacher, imparting all the best nuggets of her years of experience to make your session sparkle. Tracey has such a love for what she does, it’s infectious. It was a joy to see her working in what is truly her element. I can’t recommend her highly enough.
- Adrian Griffin, coaching and reel client
If you are in my voice category, I would prefer if you DIDN'T get coaching from Tracey! The session I had with her was totally practical and absolutely invaluable. Highly recommended.
- Ari Cohen, coaching client
Tracey has such a way of making you feel at ease and bringing out the best in your performance. One couldn't ask for a better coach or mentor.
- Rich Hockney, coaching client
I've been using Tracey's strategies for the last three years and have managed to start my dream career as a voice actor here in Toronto! For anyone looking for a fun and friendly person to help get you on the right path to a career in the competitive world of commercial voice over, Tracey Hoyt comes with my highest recommendation.
- Scott Malloch, coaching & reel client
Tracey’s remote voiceover coaching comes with an advantage. Her impressive acting portfolio allows her to help develop those all so important acting skills as a voice actor while drawing on her vast experience in voicing and directing commercial copy to bring out reads I didn’t know were in me.
- Darcy Delorey, coaching client
The session is geared to you and your goals. One evening session with Tracey blew my mind - I think I could have studied with her for months. Very, very highly recommended!
- Damien Atkins, coaching client - Toronto
What I learned was invaluable and can even be applied to on-camera work. I’m honoured to have been able to study with Tracey.
- Ellen McKinney, coaching client - Toronto
It feels to me like you’ve invested an enormous amount of time, consideration, and care into creating the best coaching system/structure you can provide, and I feel so appreciative that I was able to receive it. The value of the information and the clarity with which it was offered is matched by the positive intention behind it all. Thank you!
- Harry Judge, coaching and reel client