Hello!
A very warm welcome to the first ever Voice Note. Expect soundbites from life in the recording booth and snippets of music, arts and culture.
In case we haven’t met before, a quick introduction: I’m Emma Nabarro-Steel, a Yorkshire-based voice artist and musician. I record all kinds of voice scripts from my own studio and I write, arrange, record and perform music.
Though I’m a fully digitally-compliant 21st century human, just lately I’m looking for a bit more ‘analogue’ in my life. But I want to stay connected to the folks I share interests with and work with.
So, I’d love you to subscribe to Voice Note by email.
Don’t forget to hit reply and tell me about you! Or ask any burning questions you may have.
First…
Here’s something surprising and beautiful (just because):
Talking ‘Ethics’
Winter (and January in particular) has been deep thinking time.
AI hit the creative industries hard in 2025, leaving us all wondering where we stand. AI ethics, the philosophy that helps a person or organisation form a policy on what they might and might not use AI for, is something I’m seeing emerge in voice scripts for businesses already this year. I suspect it will become a red hot topic. (Since I’ve now put that in writing, it had better be…).
AI voice-over itself has become scarily accessible – and ubiquitous in low budget production. And while the whole area remains largely unregulated, people are left to form their own ethics. In fact, it’s a great opportunity to choose to put the human back on top as a matter of quality. Let’s hope this is a genuine trend for 2026!
Big thanks to Jocelyn Burnham, Felicity Wild, Bradford Producing Hub & Freelancer Magazine for the learning opportunities last year around this topic.
What are your experiences of AI ethics so far?
Piano is the secret ingredient.
It was an extra fun start to the musical year for me, launching Bradford Piano Trail at Darley Street Market with Flying Funk (the Funk and Latin Band in which I am vocals, keys & flute). Incorporating the newly installed piano, we gave the market the full Flying Funk treatment as part of a piano trail run by Leeds International Piano Competition.
The new market is a brilliant, well-designed space, hosting events and exhibitions, as well as selling all the ingredients you need for your tea! I’ll certainly be heading back there soon with less instruments and more shopping bags!!
It was just this time last year that we were helping to launch Bradford’s city of culture status with live music. As a resident of this corner of Yorkshire, it’s been quite a year: a BBC Prom, The Turner prize (still on until 22nd Feb) and far too many amazing events to list. I can’t wait to see what comes next for Bradford.
Listening…
Next month, I’ll be sharing a brand new voice reel (working on it now!) but my 2025 one is still an excellent snapshot of what I do in the voice booth. Have a listen here
If music is more your thing, search me in your chosen music platform.
And let’s talk music platforms in general, as there are changes on the horizon! (To be discussed next month). What do you use? Spotify? Tidal? Vinyl?
Thank you so much for reading the first ever Voice Note. Same time next month?