NORTH SMITHFIELD – Ava Sardinha, 23, of North Smithfield, began her professional career as a voice over artist at age 19 when she recorded a segment for local historian Christian de Rezendes’s Emmy award-winning documentary “Slatersville: America’s First Mill Village.” Since then, she has been busy exploring the opportunities offered by this growing industry, she said, including voicing characters from her favorite web series and even winning an award for her work.
“I am excited about the future and the many opportunities that await me,” Sardinha said.
This year, Sardinha was one of the first artists to join a new online organization called Autistic Voice Over Artists, which provides a platform for neurodivergent artists like Sardinha, her mother, Beth Sardinha said.
“[She] has such gifts from her autism, of course it presents challenges as well, but with the one-on-one coaching from AVA and the classes and opportunities, Ava can learn to capitalize on her gifts,” Beth Sardinha said.
Since joining AVA, Sardinha has recorded a commercial and was chosen to voice a wizard named Maldrehn in AVA’s fantasy podcast called Wintershyre, she said.
“Before I joined AVA, I thought I would only disclose that I am autistic if I had the opportunity to play an autistic character. Now I’m aware of this program that seeks out autistic voice over artists, and this has changed my perception,” Sardinha said.
Sardinha recently recorded a a demo reel for a a casting call for her favorite web series, The Amazing Digital Circus, and was chosen to voice a few characters, she said.
“This was just for fun, but I look forward to doing this type of work on a professional level,” she said.
About three years ago she began recording episodes of poetry for an organization called Audio Journal in Worcester, Mass., which provides accessible reading materials recorded by volunteers for people with visual impairments. Last year, she began reading “good news stories” for a program called A Positive Outlook, she said.
“I search for and select stories online. I think we could all benefit from listening to good news,” she said.
Last October, Audio Journal presented her with a Voice of the People award at their annual awards ceremony.
“That was very exciting. I’m grateful for the wonderful people at Audio Journal and for the opportunities to use my voice benefit others while gaining valuable experience,” she said.
Beth Sardinha said her daughter records in her newly sound-proofed home studio nearly every day.
“This will really become her moneymaker. Lots of work can be done at home, in her home studio,” she said.
Sardinha said she first became interested in becoming a voice over artist when she was very young.
“Maybe sixth grade. It wasn’t even intentional but I often copied what I heard from TV, and that gave me the idea to do this work,” she said.
Beth Sardinha said her daughter would quote entire episodes of her favorite shows, such as Max & Ruby.
Sardinha attended a voice over workshop and was told that she has perfect pitch, as well as a natural speaking voice that was “open, honest and vulnerable” her mother said.
“At the time, I was a bit disappointed that my voice was described as ‘sweet and girlish.’ I enjoy voicing a wide range of character voices and can record children of any gender, women of any age and some higher pitched male voices,” Sardinha said.
She used her natural speaking voice when she recorded “Murder Most Foul” for de Rezendes’ Slatersville documentary. It was a news story about a triple murder suicide in North Smithfield in 1826. Her character was encouraging support for Prohibition because the murderer was under the influence of alcohol, she said.
“[de Rezendes] helped me understand the value of my natural speaking voice and thought my tone worked perfectly when voicing the horrific scene,” Sardinha said.
Sardinha said she is looking forward to a future in the voice over business and continues to take classes and receive coaching through AVA.
“I look forward to growing as a voice over artist. It is a growing industry and there are many opportunities,” she said.
Beth Sardinha said she is excited that there is more and more support online for people in the industry.
“She has a lot of good people in her life helping her,” she said.
Ava this was a very interesting story and wish you a wonderful career in your chosen profession. You are an amazing young woman with a wonderful life ahead.