A Journey Through the Certified Voice Artist Program
For Julius Neil Piala, also known as J. Neil Piala, joining the Certified Voice Artist Program (CVAP) became more than just a training in voice acting—it became a journey of personal transformation, learning, and self-discovery. As a proud participant of CVAP Batch 5 under the mentorship of Pocholo De Leon Gonzalez, Julius experienced a month that reshaped the way he saw his craft, his abilities, and even himself.
Throughout the entire month of January, the program provided a structured yet dynamic learning environment. Every Saturday, the participants gathered for virtual sessions guided by their mentor. These sessions served as the foundation of their training, but the learning extended far beyond the scheduled classes. Participants were tasked with creating numerous audio production outputs, allowing them to apply the techniques and lessons they learned in real-world practice.
For Julius, this part of the program was both surprising and challenging. Within just a month, he found himself producing far more content than he initially expected. Although the program did not focus on grades or traditional evaluation, the constant production of outputs became a powerful way to measure growth. Each recording, each project, and each exercise served as an opportunity to test their skills and push their limits as aspiring voice artists.
One of the most meaningful lessons Julius carried with him from the program was the importance of reinventing oneself. During his CVAP journey, he realized that growth requires more than simply learning new things—it also involves relearning and, perhaps most importantly, unlearning.
As someone who had spent the past five years working in the academe, particularly in higher education, Julius understood the value of knowledge. He had experience teaching subjects related to audio production, voice production, and speech communication. However, entering the program reminded him that no matter how much experience one has, there is always more to learn.
Unlearning, he discovered, is often the most difficult part of personal development. Learning new skills can be exciting, and relearning familiar concepts can serve as a helpful refresher. But letting go of previous assumptions and acknowledging that there are still gaps in one’s knowledge requires humility. For Julius, embracing that humility allowed him to grow not only as a voice artist but also as a lifelong learner.
What made the program particularly meaningful for him was its deeper philosophy. Instead of focusing solely on fame, recognition, or technical mastery, the program encouraged participants to pursue voice artistry as a craft for self-discovery. It emphasized the importance of doing the work not just to gain popularity, but to understand one’s own identity and purpose.
Through the exercises and creative outputs, Julius found himself reconnecting with his own life experiences. These experiences became a source of motivation and inspiration in developing his voice artistry. The program showed him that a voice artist does not simply perform lines—they bring their life, emotions, and authenticity into every piece they create.
Initially, Julius believed the program would focus primarily on the technical aspects of voice acting. However, he soon realized that the lessons went far deeper. The program was not just about microphones, vocal techniques, or production skills—it was about life itself.
One approach that Julius greatly appreciated was how the mentor encouraged participants to pour genuine passion into their work. Rather than producing content merely to complete tasks, they were guided to create outputs filled with love, intention, and creativity.
This philosophy pushed Julius outside his comfort zone. Before joining the program, he never imagined that he would start building a digital portfolio of his work. Although he had a SoundCloud account, he had rarely used it actively. Through CVAP, he began producing multiple recordings and even considered creating a YouTube channel to showcase his voice artistry.
For him, this step represented more than just building a portfolio—it symbolized a commitment to developing his craft and sharing his voice with the world.
Another unique aspect of the program was its emphasis on self-direction and self-assessment. While participants received guidance, strategies, and technical advice, the process of discovering their strengths ultimately came from within themselves. This approach empowered Julius and his fellow participants to take ownership of their learning journey.
For Julius, this experience was particularly meaningful because it connected directly to his work as an educator. Having taught voice-related subjects at UP Mindanao, he often felt that something was missing in his own experience when it came to teaching voice acting and dubbing techniques. Although he had a background in radio broadcasting, he realized that true mastery of voice artistry requires deeper industry exposure.
Learning directly from an experienced professional like Pocholo De Leon Gonzalez gave him valuable insights that he could not gain from theory alone.
Julius had previously considered attending voice acting workshops in Manila, but scheduling conflicts and other challenges prevented him from doing so. Fortunately, the virtual format of the program during the pandemic made it possible for him to finally join. Despite the global crisis, the program demonstrated that learning does not have to stop.
Beyond the lessons themselves, Julius also cherished the opportunity to connect with fellow participants. The program brought together passionate individuals from different stages of life—some were students, while others were already well into their professional careers. This diversity created a rich environment for collaboration, discussion, and shared inspiration.
For Julius, meeting people who shared the same passion for voice artistry became one of the most rewarding aspects of the experience.
What made his journey even more remarkable was that he completed the program during a particularly challenging period in his personal life. At the same time he was attending classes and producing outputs, he was also dealing with important family responsibilities. His newborn baby required medical attention related to screening results, and his eldest child had begun an occupational therapy program.
Balancing these responsibilities with his professional duties and the demands of the program was far from easy. Yet the encouragement from his mentor and the support from the CVAP community motivated him to keep going.
In the end, completing the program became a powerful reminder that it is possible to overcome obstacles and achieve personal goals, even during difficult times.
Today, Julius proudly calls himself a CVAP graduate. The experience not only strengthened his skills as a voice artist but also reaffirmed his belief in perseverance, lifelong learning, and the power of creative expression.
As he looks ahead, Julius hopes to continue collaborating with his batchmates and fellow graduates, exploring new opportunities in voice artistry and sharing what he has learned with others.
Above all, he remains deeply grateful to his mentor, to the CVAP team, and to his fellow participants for making the journey unforgettable.
For Julius Neil Piala, the Certified Voice Artist Program was not just about finding his voice. It was about reinventing it.