SHORT BIO
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 a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Acting, where he specialized in voice and speech. Driven to deepen his knowledge of communication science and the physiology of the human voice, Michael is earning a Masters of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. 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 widely used approach to voice training, and a member of the Voice and Speech Trainers Association, Screen Actor’s Guild, and Actor’s Equity 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 hold a Master of Fine Arts in Acting and am a Certified Teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework®.