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Michael Perez is a public speaking, voice, and communication coach. He trains executives, sales professionals, artists, and other leaders in public and private arenas to engage their audiences with clarity, openheartedness, and presence. He holds an M.F.A. in Theatre Performance with a specialty in Voice and Speech and an M.S. in Communication Science and Disorders. He is passionate about the art and science of effective communication and is driven to help people build the skills they need. He was a professor of Voice and Speech for Theatre at Florida Southern College and performed as an actor on screen, Off-Broadway, and at Sarasota’s Asolo Repertory Theatre. He is also a Certified Teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework®, a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, and a member of the Voice and Speech Trainers Association.
MY BACK STORY
I was born and raised in Upstate New York where I developed a fondness for skiing, camping, and baseball. I grew up surrounded by supportive and openhearted people who knew how to gather people together and tell stories.
I was usually the quiet one in the group, listening and enjoying but too shy to join in with my own voice. That hesitancy grew into a pattern of avoiding opportunities to speak and dreading the moments when it was unavoidable. I came to believe a harmful untruth about myself – that what I had to say was somehow invalid. My work in voice and public speaking began as a way to address my challenges.
Over time, through theatre and with the help of people in diverse fields, I found the power of my voice and a more effective way to communicate. I learned to notice what was really happening in the moment. I learned that in order to achieve real and lasting change the work must be met with presence, authenticity, and boldness. My goal: connect to what matters and engage with my audience with the intention of really being heard and leaving an impact.
I began coaching voice and public speaking in 2011 in New York City. Now I am based in Sarasota, FL with my wife, Miranda, and our boys Nate and Zach.
I have a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance and a Master of Science in Communication Science and Disorders.