Alumni Spotlight

Blue Wave Voiceover George-Washington

 

GEORGE WASHINGTON III

 

George is a full-time political voice actor with experience in the business of helping clients communicate their stories. After spending 20+ years in IT industry, George has been the voice of ROOT Sports Northwest, McDonalds, Spotify, and Mountain Dew ICE. George also spent 12 years as a baritone with Opera Carolina. His proudest voiceover moment was becoming one of the voices of the National Museum of African-American History and Culture.

I have provided voice over services in documentaries, video games, radio and television commercials, in store announcements, marketing on hold, websites and web ads, virtually every aspect of the voice-over industry. My clients have included national and international firms like McDonalds, Courtyard by Marriott, Whole Foods, ESPN, Hewlett Packard, Motorola, and more. My home studio is giving me the opportunity to build on my voicing successes, and I am looking to keep growing with new clients and outlets for years to come.

George is a graduate of The Media Arts Center's broadcasting program. 

Jenny Perry Bender

Jenny Perry Bender

After nearly ten years of working in healthcare, I decided to follow my dream and pursue my passion for radio. Life is way too short to look back & wonder, "What if?" So, here I am! I'm a proud graduate of The Media Arts Center. It was through this great school that I got my first job as an entertainer, with ATG Entertainment. It's also where I met some of my dearest friends and mentors. In February of 2021, I moved to CCM and joined 88.3 WAFJ/101.9 WBIJ, part of RTN (Radio Training Network.) I also have done voice tracking and spots for other stations within RTN. My latest aircheck and other audio samples are on my Soundcloud page, @JennyOnAir. Thanks so much for listening!

Jenny began her career with the broadcasting program taught at The Media Arts Center!

Explore opportunities
1678055710673

TOM MINER

Tom has a passion for helping others thrive.

He values building connections within communities, fostering engaging relationships, and discovering innovative ways to communicate.
With over ten years of experience, Tom has worked in various roles, including consulting for television and radio stations nationwide, directing political campaigns, and leading communications and public relations strategies for local government and non-profit organizations.

During his time at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools from 2018-2021, Tom spearheaded social and digital media engagement initiatives, collaborated on communication and public relations projects with the superintendent and chief of staff, established the Hello CMS podcast brand, and assisted school principals with marketing and outreach efforts.
Today, Tom is an Operations Specialist at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, working closely with the CMS Operations Division and Department of Transportation.
Tom's colleagues describe him as a compassionate and motivated leader with exceptional interpersonal skills who brings innovative ideas, enthusiasm, and a collaborative spirit to the team.

Tom is a graduate of the broadcasting program taught at the Media Arts Center.

Annaliese

Annaliese Kaplin

Today is my 7 year anniversary of working full-time in the radio industry as an on-air talent! Since my first job in Vermont, I've also been privileged to work and be on-air in Charlottesville VA, and Norfolk-Virginia Beach, VA. My childhood dream was to work in radio, and I still can't believe I made that happen in adulthood. Radio has been my only full-time professional career so far! There's been a lot of change for me at work in the past few weeks following the sudden departure of my former co-host, but I am looking forward to seeing what's to come for me for the rest of 2024. 

Annaliese began her career with the broadcasting program taught at The Media Arts Center!

Ed Billick

Ed Billick

Wanted to share my thoughts concerning the learning experience at The Media Arts Center and how meaningful it was to me, as I "built' my "second career". A year prior to retirement, after hearing the commercial spot on the radio for The Media Arts Center,  What I found was a fantastic  learning environment, a class of diverse students. (I and another were the oldest).  We brought life's learning's, while the younger members, showed us the power of social media. The teachers, all professionals in their area of expertise, fully capable of both teaching the  technical aspects as well as the "real world reality' on how to be successful in this business.  All so passionate for their work, it showed as they role modeled for us those needed skills.  I was then was afforded by the school, a twelve week internship with the local AM News/Talk station.  Working the morning News show, up at 2:30a, at the station by 3:30a, real world you bet!  Sourcing, editing audio in very tight time frames, prepping the studio, working the pressure situations to whatever support the hosts needed.  A tremendous memorable experience! I was at that time offered the opportunity to be "on-air" doing Sports Updates for the Weekend Morning New show. I then created a "demo", worked the feedback and began "on air".... five months after starting classes. I now do air Weekend Sports Reports, "fill-in" as a news show producer, board operator and produce/record a weekly human interest show for the weekend.  At times, as I leave the station and see the city skyline, I have to laugh, pinch myself and on-say I did it, working as a Sports Reporter at WBT Charlotte.
 
Ed began his career with the broadcasting program taught at The Media Arts Center!
2016 Jana

Jana Angel

Jana Angel is a professional spokesperson, Producer, and television host that specializes brand storytelling and video production. She is currently the co-host of river city live on news4jax with previous work at Living Local on Fox 29 and Trending Today on fox business.

Jana began her career with the broadcasting program taught at The Media Arts Center!

 

041923 Ashley Stroehlein-12

Ashley Stroehlein

Ashley Stroehlein currently works at NBC Charlotte as a sports anchor and reporter. Stro also joins ESPN'S coverage of college football as a sideline reporter. Ashley also hosts Facebook and Instagram lives for both NBC Charlotte and select NASCAR tracks. Previously, Ashley worked for NFL Network’s coverage of Conference USA as a sideline reporter. Additionally, she served as the Charlotte Knights and Charlotte Checkers In-Game Host and a NASCAR Pit-Reporter for Bristol Motor Speedway's Cup, Xfinity and Truck Series Races. CBS Radio's KISS 95.1 as a morning show producer and as an entertainment reporter for K 104.7.

Ashley began her career with the broadcasting program taught at The Media Arts Center!

IMG_1335-res-221x300

Jennifer Flynn

 

The Media Arts Center offers the kind of experience you wish lasted forever, the kind that makes you challenge yourself in ways you never expected!!  Not only did I meet the most interesting people but I also felt like I was one too.  I think I've never been so inspired!

As a young adult I wanted nothing more than to be the next Erin Andrews.  I wanted to work for ESPN!  I loved sports, why not get paid to talk about it and interview the players!  I had looked into The Media Arts Center for probably a good two years before going in for a tour!  From the minute I walked through the front door, I knew that is where I belonged and wished I had gotten the courage to walk through those doors sooner!

I learned everything from Radio to TV to Social Media and building my own website and so much more.  I felt confident by the time I graduated I would have a job in TV.  I wasn’t sure what that would be at first because I grew to love it all because, learning from professionals with-in the industry gave me up-to-date knowledge and the hands on experience.  The time I spent in the “studio” learning the cameras, audio, prompter, and switcher gave me even more knowledge to know I could add this to my resume for my internship.  Not long (within 6 months of graduating the classroom part of school and applying for internship) I started my internship with FOX NEWS RISING at WCCB (Fox affiliate in Charlotte).  After my internship was over they hired me to work on the FOX 10:00 evening News at WCCB.  Shortly after I began freelance work at my ultimate dream place ESPNU.  I worked as a freelancer there for a short 6 months before they offered me a sweet deal to come on as an employee.  I have been an employee of the DISNEY COMPANY at ESPN since Feb.

I could never show enough gratitude to the my Directors, the professionals, graduates and my classmates at The Media Arts Center for changing my life forever!

I am living the dream as a Motion Graphics Controller at ESPN Charlotte.

Jennifer began her career with the broadcasting program taught at The Media Arts Center!

 

m4eeS9rv-res

Amber Helms

 
I looked into The Media Arts Center after seeing a commercial on TV. I immediately grabbed my laptop and looked up the website. After researching for a few minutes, I signed up online to receive more information. The day of the open house, was an amazing experience. I applied and was soon accepted.  I learned everything from how to properly write a new story, to how to edit both video and TV.  After graduation I was lucky enough to be chosen to work for Newsweek and The Daily Beast during the Democratic National Convention here in Charlotte.
 
Amber Helms
Entertainer / Host
Campaign Strategist 
 
Amber began her career with the broadcasting program taught at The Media Arts Center!
 
 

 

sammi jo

Sammi Jo Francis

 I did some research prior to graduation from UNCC and actually sat down with the The Media Arts Center. I went to a studio tour, really enjoyed the TV aspects and left excited about my future there.  Once I started, I fell in love with the industry instead of just the idea of it. Let me explain, the hard work that it took to produce a TV package or radio show was absolutely worth it. I would stay late to do a podcast that later turned into a Youtube show. I couldn't get enough. Radio was intoxicating to me-- and the television side was all I had dreamt it up to be. More than hearing my voice on a radio bit or seeing my face on camera, was honing my skills in production. I loved being able to shoot, script, edit and polish for a finished product. I wanted to know it all, I was a media sponge. I learned so much while I was there - the ins and outs are what I came to learn and exactly what I left knowing all about. These skills continue to grow each time I shoot and produce... which is often because I'm a sports reporter and producer for WBTV- a local Charlotte affiliate. I was always encouraged to be creative and try everything at the school, and I still use the campus to update my demo and create other projects. It's true what they say about school, you'll get as much out of it as you're willing to put into it and I have no doubt  that The Media Arts Center was the right choice for me and anybody serious about this field. The work isn't easy but man, it's fun and 100% rewarding. 
 
Hope this helps, 
Sammi Jo Francis
WBTV On Your Side Sports 
 
Sammi Jo began her career with the broadcasting program taught at The Media Arts Center!
1517361612648

Stewart Davis

From the first day at The Media Arts Center, my classmates and I were immersed in hands on training in all areas of broadcasting. I was taught on-air techniques, production skills, and even computer training on the newest software. The instructors were amazing as well. All Media Arts Center instructors work professionally in the fields they teach. The school prepared me to fully be successful in radio by the time I graduated.

Upon graduation, I developed a sports podcast called The Sports Buffett, which I still do. I also developed my own website to showcase my work, and The Media Arts center taught me that too! 

Currently, I have developed two podcast, The Sports Buffett and a auto racing show called Red Dirt Road. Red Dirt Road is a product of my first paying job in broadcasting. I am the speedway announcer at Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, SC, a procured the position through a lead that the school sent me. I am also currently doing CBS Radio in Charlotte.

The Media Arts Center has given me the opportunity to obtain my dream, the work has come from me, but if you are willing to work and work hard and want it bad enough, they can help you make your dream come true as well.          

Stewart Davis,
Sports Reporter
Charlotte, North Carolina

Stewart is a graduate of the broadcasting program taught at thew Media Arts Center.

FullMetalJackie-hdr-1-300x225

Stacy Gantt

I've wanted to be in radio since I was 9 years old.  I can't tell you how long that actually was without revealing my true age, but think parachute pants and jelly shoes.  For the many years that followed the  dream continued to grow, until I toured a broadcasting school in my early 20's.  
The excitement wasn't there; the passion wasn't flowing from the staff, the dated textbooks in the drab classroom showed no promise of knowledge or real experience.   I abandoned the dream for years thinking that what I had already seen was my only option.  One internet search proved my wrong.  I discovered The Media Arts Center in Charlotte and decided to  take the chance.
One 5 hour car ride and campus tour later, I knew I had found my future! The staff  warmly greeted me and instantly made me feel welcome.  They showed me all the equipment that was available for students to use freely.  Being a hands-on learner this was a dream come true!  The fact that my tour guide had himself been in broadcasting for years and had some of the most AMAZING stories to share from the field.  I knew immediately that this is where I needed to be! From the first day of class to the last, there was never a moment that I felt was irrelevant to my new career.  
 
Every class, project, presentation, and workshop left me feeling like I was walking away with a new and useful skill.  My instructors knew what they were talking about because they had been there, in the studio, behind the mic, in front of the camera, reporting the stories, and producing the shows!  Graduation day came and I was confident to begin my job search.  The Media Arts Center had given not only the skills to do an amazing job, but also how to market myself.  Thanks to the seminars on resume building, interviewing, and creating a powerful demo, I am now approaching my 2 year anniversary in Tucson, AZ that has been the stepping stone for many big names in radio and entertainment.  
Being able to run a board, provide compelling breaks on-air, produce quality audio, and be relevant and present in the social media scene has made me a valuable part of the station, and I owe that all to the media Arts Center! I am honored to say that I am a graduate!    
Stacy Gantt
92.1 & 101.3/ KFMA
Stacy is a graduate of the broadcasting program taught at The Media Arts Center.