Meet Jennifer Jill Araya | Actor & Audiobook Narrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Jill Araya and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer Jill, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
Almost immediately upon embarking on my narration career, I sought the guidance and assistance of others in the industry. That has made all the difference. From attending networking events, to establishing an accountability relationship with two other narrators, to regularly participating in coaching and workshop events, the input of my colleagues has been absolutely invaluable to my business’s growth and success. Working as a solopreneur is not actually a solo activity. Just as no man is an island, no solo business owner is an island. My work exists within the context of others in my industry, and without forming intentional relationships with them, I would not be able to grow and expand my business within that wider context. My creativity is richer, more successful, and more rewarding thanks to the input of my colleagues and coaches.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am an award-winning audiobook narrator with nearly 300 titles to my credit. I fully believe I have found the perfect job and could not be happier with my career (which I also consider my calling). However, my path to audiobook narration was a bit circuitous. I loved listening to audiobooks as a child and always wondered about the actors and artists who voiced those audiobooks, but to me, this work felt as unreachable as “President” or “Astronaut” – something that would be really cool as an adult career but that ultimately wasn’t realistic. I studied vocal performance and cello performance at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and embarked upon the freelance musician’s life after graduating with my Master of Music degree. But something was always missing. When I accidentally stumbled upon information about becoming an audiobook narrator in 2018, I knew I had found that “something.” I threw everything I had into the single-minded pursuit of making my childhood dream a reality. Now that I knew it was possible, I was going to do whatever it took to become an audiobook narrator. When I was able to transition to full-time narration work in May 2019, I truly felt like I had won the career lottery.

While it might not be immediately apparent, I have found that my music studies translate directly into my audiobook narration work. Orchestral cello playing and operatic singing are both focused on communicating stories, emotions, and ideas through sound. I am still doing that work as an audiobook narrator, only now my medium is spoken word rather than music. AudioFile Magazine has called my narrative voice “smooth and musical,” and this compliment is the highest praise I can imagine. It is the melding of my two professional worlds, classical music and audiobook narration, into one storytelling, communication-focused pursuit.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in Clifton, a neighborhood in central Cincinnati, OH, and it is one of my favorite places on Earth! It is a lovely, vibrant, walkable neighborhood with easy access to everything you could ever want in a neighborhood, or at least everything I want. We have a locally owned movie theater, the Esquire, that shows fun arthouse films alongside big blockbuster hits, plus sponsors exciting themed events, like midnight showings of the Little Shop of Horrors. We have both a locally owned grocery store and a locally owned natural foods store, so finding the perfect ingredient for a night in is never a problem. But if you want to eat out, we have everything you can imagine, from Indian to American to Italian to Mexican and more. And the unique, locally owned shops that line Clifton’s Ludlow Business District making finding the perfect gift an easy task every time. If you’re craving a bit of nature after all the good food and shopping, the Burnet Woods Nature Preserve is the place to go. There’s even a frisbee golf course in Burnet Woods that takes you along the forest’s hiking paths and trails – perfect activity for a sunny afternoon.

If you want to explore the wider city of Cincinnati beyond my neighborhood of Clifton, there’s no shortage of activities to enjoy. Cincinnati is home to the Bengals (football), the Reds (baseball), and FC Cincinnati (soccer, my personal favorite), plus a minor league hockey team, the Cyclones. We have a world-class symphony and ballet, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Ballet, and several world-class theaters, including Playhouse in the Park (two-time Tony winning playhouse), Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, and the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. There’s something to do or see every night of the week!

After all that, a stroll along the Ohio River in The Banks district of Cincinnati is an absolute must. Several different parks stretch end-to-end along the riverfront area just south of downtown Cincinnati, with playscapes, winding trails, and picnic areas. The Banks is my favorite place to enjoy an evening stroll while taking in the sunset over the water. Cincinnati is a magical place!
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Nothing in my life would be possible without the love and support of my husband and daughter, Arturo and Shanti Araya. They are my biggest fans and my toughest critics, and I couldn’t do the work I do every day without them. My parents, David and Phyllis Brown, are equally important. They ferried me to and from lessons and rehearsals and performances for the first 18 years of my life and deserve incredible thanks just for that, but they still today have my back in every way. I have the best parents in the world! Gail Shalan and Marni Penning are the most incredible accountability partners an entrepreneur could ever hope to find. They keep me on track and keep me honest, and even better, they are wonderful, giving, supportive, and kind friends. And last but not least, Erik Synnestvedt, who has proofed and edited over 100 of my audiobooks, has been and continues to be a valuable partner in my work.

Website: www.JenniferJillAraya.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferjill.araya/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-jill-araya/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JenniferJAraya

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferJillAraya/

Image Credits
Kristan McIntosh, KMac Photography