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Meet Ann Coatney of Dulcet Tones in Harvey Park

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Ann Coatney.

Ann, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was an actress in film, TV and theatre for 20 years in both Los Angeles and New York. I started doing voiceovers in 1995, when I first moved to New York. I met a woman who ran a voiceover studio, auditioned for her and very quickly landed a client that I still work with today.

I worked on “Sex and the City” for years as Cynthia Nixon’s (Miranda) stand in and was in an episode as well. As the show was wrapping up in 2003, I met a lovely gentleman from Denver. In 2004, I packed up my life and moved to Colorado. That turned out to be a very fortuitous move.

I worked in the corporate world for many years and continued doing voiceovers on the side. I was fortunate to record explainer videos and promotional ads for both companies I worked for and made great contacts along the way. I have worked with Rocky Mountain Recorders since I moved to Denver and they are like family. In 2017, I finally set up my own home studio.

In August of 2018, I left my corporate job and decided to do voiceovers full time. So far, it’s been a great experience and I’m building my portfolio and client base.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There have absolutely been some challenges! It’s always tough in creative fields to maintain steady work. I’m fortunate to have many long-standing clients but need to add to them constantly in order to make a full time living.

Staying focused on building my client base while continuing to do the day to day work can be difficult at times.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
I founded Dulcet Tones, LLC when I moved to Denver in 2004. My main focus then was doing IVR or telephone system prompts and voicemail messages. I have one client going back 23 years. It’s not the “sexiest” work in the world but it does pay well and keeps my voice chops honed.

My voice is my calling card and has been described as elegant, smooth, soothing and authoritative. Because of this, I often book jobs in the health care, finance and hospitality industries. I’ve done commercials, explainer and corporate video narration, and I’m just getting into audiobooks.

I completed my first full length audiobook at the end of 2018 and have been contracted for my next 2. It’s a lot of work and I really enjoy getting to use my acting skills and facility with accents.

I think my acting background is a huge asset. I’m an avid podcast and audiobook listener and I’m often frustrated by hearing a bad reader or as is often the case, the author, give a bad read. I want to be engaged and I think I bring that to my work.

I’m most proud of striking out on my own as voiceover professional and making a living at it. It’s an intensely competitive field and I’m making a mark.

What were you like growing up?
I think my parents knew I wanted to be a performer before I even did. I would sing and dance for them when I was only about 3. I started singing in choirs at 7 and did my first real play at 13. It’s a cliche but I felt instantly comfortable onstage and was hooked.

I have always loved films and music. I would go to the movies every chance I got and I got my first stereo when I was in middle school. I obsessed over liner notes from albums and memorized all sorts of film trivia.

I was also very outdoorsy and loved riding my bike, swimming, playing tennis, etc. I had a very happy childhood and that’s led to a good life as an adult.

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