Warm. Soothing. Versatile. Narrating with authentic depth and bottomless compassion.

The TL;DR:

With over 100 audiobook titles under my belt, I'm a warm, engaging narrator with a professional home studio in the Midwest. My background in music and professional human services gives me a unique edge: a deep capacity for structural empathy in script analysis and a performance style built on the simple truth that you can't fake warmth. I'm an intuitive storyteller, a tech-head constantly learning new production skills, and a passionate advocate for authentic human connection. (And yes, I consume alarming amounts of cilantro.) Check out my samples and get in touch!

The Word Girl Version:

Jessica Marchbank Voice Actor My voice is warm, soothing, and engaging—a trusted companion for storytelling, comfort, and immersion. I bring warmth, enthusiasm, and a touch of humor to every project. It wasn't until recent years that I fully realized the power of my voice and the many ways I could use it. My journey started long ago, though. My first job, as a tour guide at the Jesse James Museum, showed me just how impactful a voice can be. Since then, I've explored and honed my skills, growing as an artist and performer.

I'm a single mom working from my professional home studio in the Midwest. For years, people told me I had a "pretty voice," which was lovely, but I always wondered what I could do with it. I'd even been a classically trained mezzo-soprano but never pursued singing professionally. Discovering the world of voice acting and audiobook narration was a revelation. It was instant love!

Since then, I've immersed myself in the craft, diving deep into audio production. From humble beginnings (a phone in a closet, then progressively fancier PVC pipe and moving blanket contraptions, and finally, a real booth -- with a door!), I've learned mic technique, room treatment, and basic sound engineering. I'm committed to continuous learning, always seeking to improve and deliver the highest quality sound. If I encounter a skill gap, I take a class or consult an expert.

I love the ongoing work of bringing characters and stories to life. I voice characters from children to older adults, both male and female. I narrate and produce audiobooks, create comfort and meditation audios, ASMR soundscapes, erotic audios, and just about anything you can imagine. My natural accent is neutral American, but I can easily slip into a few other accents, and I'm always expanding my repertoire.

While I haven't sung seriously since the late 90s, my musical background informs my voice work. I keep my voice warmed up with online karaoke sessions, which you can find on my YouTube channel.

When I'm not in my cozy recording booth (a place I could happily spend all day!), my life is anchored in community advocacy. For over a decade, I’ve worked on the front lines of social services partnering with vulnerable populations - including leading a regional diaper program (ask me why locals still call me the Diaper Lady!).

This work has gifted me an acute understanding of human resilience, complex motivations, and deep empathy. When I sit down with a script, I don't just read the words; I map out the psychological architecture of the characters. That real-world grounding allows me to bring fierce, un-fakable authenticity to multi-layered worlds and intense dramatic perspectives.

Whether you need a captivating narrator for your audiobook, a soothing voice for meditation audios, or a versatile voice actor for your project, let me be the voice in your ear. Please explore my samples and don't hesitate to reach out – I'd love to work with you!

Every booth needs a cat!

Booth & Tech:

  • Silver Series booth from VocalBooth.com, plus lots of extra treatment & love
  • Mics: AT4047, Austrian Audios OC18, Sennheiser MK4
  • Record Punch & Roll in Reaper but also comfortable in Audition and other DAWs
  • iZotope RX9 Advanced plugins
  • Cat not included, usually.

My Voice:

Here are some keywords that describe my voice: Warm, soothing, engaging, enthusiastic, humorous, versatile, trustworthy, relatable, and authentic.

Specialties:

  • Audiobooks (Narrator & Character Voices)
  • Character Voices (Kids to Seniors, Male & Female)
  • Meditation/Comfort Audios
  • ASMR
  • Erotic Audios
  • Corporate Narration
  • E-Learning

Signature Vibe: Grounded, authentic, emotionally intuitive, and deeply resonant. Expert in navigating intense dramatic tension and multi-POV character perspectives.

My Work:

Check out my audiobooks and other projects!

pana