What the SOVAS Awards Mean to Me — and to the Voiceover Community
- Jan 26
- 4 min read
Every year, the SOVAS Awards remind me why I love this industry so deeply.
Yes, I’m incredibly honored to share that I received two SOVAS Awards this year — but more than anything, my heart is full of gratitude. Gratitude for the people, the collaboration, and the voiceover community that makes this work meaningful.
A Moment of Recognition, Rooted in Gratitude
This year’s recognition included not only the two awards received but also a total of eight SOVAS nominations — a reminder that recognition comes in many forms, and that being seen for the work itself truly matters.
The awards this year were:
Outstanding Narration Demo – E-Learning | Best Voiceover
Voice Actor: Bonnie Marie Williams
Executive Director & Producer: Anne Ganguzza
Audio Engineer: John Chominsky
Outstanding Podcast – Craft and Business of Voice Acting | Best Producer or Host
VO BOSS — Connecting Across Continents: The Growth and Power of African Voiceover
with Tolulope Kolade
Producer & Host: Anne Ganguzza
Audio Engineer: James DeWitt
Being recognized by the Society of Voice Arts & Sciences (SOVAS) is always humbling. Rudy Gaskins and Joan Baker, along with the entire SOVAS team, have long been champions of voice actors, and were among the first to recognize voiceover and podcasting as legitimate and powerful categories to celebrate with an industry awards ceremony - long before many other industry award shows acknowledged them. That kind of leadership and belief matters deeply to those of us doing this work.
The People Behind the Work
None of this happens in a vacuum.
I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with people who bring excellence, care, and integrity to every project. John Chominsky, whose expertise and talent elevate every demo we work on together, has been a trusted creative partner for more than a decade. His consistency, precision, and deep understanding of this industry continue to raise the bar for the work we create.
James DeWitt, who served as VO BOSS’s audio editor for five years, played an essential role in helping the podcast grow and reach listeners around the world. I’m deeply grateful for his contribution during those formative years.
I’m also excited to welcome Nick Mortillaro, the newest audio editor to the VO BOSS team, whose skill and fresh perspective are already making a meaningful impact as the podcast continues to evolve.
An Award-Winning Collaboration
Working with Bonnie Marie Williams as her coach and demo producer was an absolute joy. Coaching her performance and shaping her e-learning demo from start to finish is a perfect example of why I do this work. Bonnie brought focus, commitment, and a genuine desire to grow, and it was incredibly rewarding to help guide that process.
This award reflects both Bonnie’s talent and the collaborative work we did together. While recognition is always meaningful, it’s never the goal. My true intention is — and has always been — to help voice actors strengthen their performance, grow as storytellers, and walk away with a demo that genuinely represents them and helps open doors. When that work is recognized, it’s a wonderful bonus — and a reminder that thoughtful coaching and intentional demo production truly matter.
“Choosing to learn, grow, and connect more meaningfully through your work is what creates real impact — awards are moments, but growth is the purpose.”
Celebrating This Year’s SOVAS Nominees
This year’s SOVAS nominations included an extraordinary group of voice actors whose work reflects dedication, growth, and intentional storytelling. Each nomination represents a collaborative journey, and I’m deeply honored to have been part of these voice actors’ paths — coaching, guiding, and producing demos that support where they are now and where they’re headed.
Outstanding Narration Demo – E-Learning | Best Voiceover
Tara Kulkarni — Listen Here
Chris Vallancourt — Listen Here
TJ Walser — Listen Here
Bonnie Marie Williams — Listen Here
Carmen Williams — Listen Here
Director & Executive Producer: Anne Ganguzza
Audio Engineer: John Chominsky
Outstanding Narration Demo – Corporate | Best Voiceover
Alan Cohen — Listen Here
Lorraine Crowston — Listen Here
Director & Executive Producer: Anne Ganguzza
Audio Engineer: John Chominsky
I’m incredibly proud of each of these voice actors and honored to support them as their coach and producer. Their nominations reflect focused work, growth, and a commitment to craft — the kind of effort that truly moves careers forward.
VO BOSS and the Power of Global Storytelling
As VO BOSS approaches nine years and nearly 500 episodes, I often reflect on why I started the podcast in the first place. The intention was simple: to be a supportive, honest, and meaningful resource for the voiceover community.
The episode submitted this year — VO BOSS — Connecting Across Continents: The Growth and Power of African Voiceover with Tolulope Kolade — is a perfect example of why these conversations matter. Voiceover is global. Storytelling crosses borders. And when we listen to one another, we’re reminded just how connected we truly are.
To All Nominees and Voices Committed to Growth
I want to take a moment to speak to every voice actor committed to learning, growth, and meaningful connection through their work.
Whether or not your name was called this year, choosing to study, refine your craft, and tell stories with intention is what creates real impact. The work you do — the risks you take, the skills you build, and the stories you help bring to life — matters.
Every performance you shape has the power to move people, shift perspective, and create connection. That dedication to growth is what sustains this industry and keeps it evolving.
In my eyes — and in the eyes of so many who value this work — you are all winners.
Why Recognition in Voiceover Matters
Awards are meaningful — but resonance matters more.
If something we created helped a voice actor gain clarity, confidence, or momentum, then the work is doing what it’s meant to do. Every listener who tunes in, every student who grows in their craft, and every client who trusts us with their story is part of this journey.
To my clients, my students, my listeners, and every voice finding their way — you are all winners.
Thank you for trusting me, for sharing this space, and for continuing to show up for one another.
With so much gratitude,
Anne 💛
