Dutch - English Voice-Overs and Translations

You made it to this page, so you know by now that I'm not from Kansas. Not even close! For many years, Holland was my home. I studied Musicology and English at the University of Utrecht and European Studies in Amsterdam. Still in my freshman year, the Dutch public broadcasting corporation AVRO asked me to develop, produce and present youth radio and television programs. I also became a regular contributor and guest host on a show called "Play it Again", featuring music from the movies and the theater.

My next career stop would be IKON Radio & TV, where I produced and presented documentaries and current affairs magazines. On top of that, I became a radio announcer, and my voice could be heard on a number of public broadcasting stations in The Netherlands. 

BBC

In the 90's, I was offered a unique opportunity to work for the BBC Radio in London, where I produced "A Damn Good Lie", an award-winning special for their number one radio station.

INTERNATIONAL  RADIO

Back on Dutch soil, I began working as a News Anchor, Producer, Presenter and Reporter for the English and Dutch service of Radio Netherlands International, the Dutch World Service.

I have covered major national and international news events in Dutch and in English, both as a reporter and as the news anchor of a prime-time current affairs magazine that could be heard all over the world. For three years, I also produced and hosted my own weekly radio program on religion and social development. During my time at Radio Netherlands, I have interviewed celebrities, politicians, Nobel Prize winners, scientists, authors, CEOs and other high-profile personalities.

MEDIA  'GURU'

Because of my broadcasting experience, I was asked to provide media coaching to profit- and non-profit organizations. I was even hired by the Dutch Roman-Catholic Church and the Dutch Council of Churches to train their top people to meet the press. By the way, I still conduct coaching sessions for those terrified of being grilled by the news media.

COMING TO AMERICA

After moving to the United States, I spent some time producing “Natural Living with Gary Null”, a show that was distributed nationwide on Public Radio. It's the longest running, continuously airing Talk Radio health program in America. I also aligned myself with two major casting agencies in the Philadelphia area: Mike Lemon Casting and the Greer Lange Talent Agency.

LOVE  FOR LANGUAGE

As an 11-year old, I joined the C.I.S.V. organization (Children's International Summer Villages), and I spent four weeks in an international summer camp. The idea was that kids from 12 different countries would learn how to communicate and get along with one another, appreciating each other's cultures, traditions and languages, thus promoting peace and understanding.

From that moment on, I became fascinated with intercultural communication and ways of bringing people together. I was able to travel to many countries and learn a few languages along the way. My translation skills moved from the realm of the personal to the professional, when I joined Radio Netherlands. In the news business, it is essential not to distort the message, but rather to respect the source. It's something that I take with me to this very day.

BLOG

I recently started writing "Double Dutch", a blog on Voiceover-casting.com. There are many VO-blogs singing the praises of microphone X or preamp Y. "Double Dutch"offers a (mostly) humorous spin on the wonderful world of voice-over acting, and you'll notice that I painstakingly try to avoid jargon, product reviews and shameless self-promotion!