Mary Ellin Kurtz has established herself as a distinguished voiceover professional specializing in commercial, e-learning, and audiobook narration. Since 2022, she has excelled as the owner and chief executive voice of Mary Ellin Kurtz Voice. Prior to launching her own business, she dedicated over two decades to Canon USA, serving as a senior learning and performance specialist, e-learning developer, and voiceover artist from 2002 to 2024. In this role, she played a key part in developing comprehensive training programs that seamlessly integrated visual, auditory, and written elements.
Ms. Kurtz’s career began as an instructional designer at Canon, where she refined her expertise in creating effective educational content. Her background as a music teacher further strengthened her skills in instructional design and voiceover work. Laying an educational foundation, she earned a Bachelor of Science in music with a dual major in education and music in 1976. She also holds several certifications, including the home studio masterclass from the Great Voice Company in 2024 and the ATD virtual instructional design certification from the Association for Talent Development in 2021.
A defining moment in Ms. Kurtz’s career came when budget cuts at Canon eliminated professional voiceover talent for e-learning courses, resulting in disengaged students and declining scores. Recognizing the need for a multimodal learning approach, she took the initiative to record voiceovers herself using a smartphone app and editing software. Despite initial challenges with sound quality, her efforts quickly enhanced student engagement and performance. Over time, she upgraded her equipment, established a home studio, and became the de facto voice of Canon.
In light of her contributions, Ms. Kurtz received the esteemed Golden Mic Award for her innovative approach to voiceover narration. She attributes her success to the influence of her parents, who fostered an environment of choice and self-discovery. Her father, a corporate attorney, and her mother, an artist, inspired her creative pursuits and encouraged her to explore diverse interests. Looking ahead, Ms. Kurtz remains dedicated to advancing her voiceover career while embracing new opportunities. For her, retirement is not about slowing down but about continuing to pursue her passions with enthusiasm. Beyond her professional endeavors, she enjoys crafting, playing the piano, acting, singing, and listening to and teaching music.