It has to be one of the most frustrating things about transitioning from male to female—thousands of dollars spent on surgery, and yet despite this and all of the hormone therapy, there's still a tinge of that old self apparent where it's impossible to mask� the voice.

Transgendered folks have borne this cross since the inception of the culture, and there's often a feeling that there's very little one can do to sound like what tradition dictates a woman's voice should sound like. Male-to-female (MTF) TGs often struggle to approximate what comes so easily to those born into their sex.

Erica Shaffer

Actress and voice talent Erica Shaffer has seen that struggle, and now uses her considerable skills to help TGs achieve the voice they feel will suit their identities better. An expert in vocal dynamics, Shaffer has developed a training program that allows TGs to speak naturally, while at the same time drawing from different voice muscles than they're used to employing.

Eros Guide spoke with Shaffer about her own talents and what she has to offer TGs who'd like their voices to keep in step with their own personal evolution.

Eros Guide: How did you start getting into acting and using your voice talents?

Erica Shaffer: I got into acting in college. I was a ballerina from the age of six at The California Ballet Company in San Diego. Due to my dance ability I received a full scholarship to attend The United States International University in San Diego where I started out as a dancer, singer, actor in the Musical Theatre program and by my third year I transferred over the acting program where I received a BFA in Acting. I was a very good student in acting and speech and won a full ride to attend The University of Arizona and received an MFA in acting and directing. I honed my speech teaching skills at The University of Arizona where I taught speech, acting and voice and movement to the undergraduate acting majors at the University of Arizona. Once I moved to L.A., I started my own speech coaching practice while working as an actor and have develop a pool of students from all over the world. Lots of actors from all over the world are here working in L.A. that need accent reduction, as well as actors who need to learn accents and dialects for roles. So I started getting my name around to agents and managers all over town and have always had new students calling as well as working with a lot of my students for years.

EG: Tell us how you got involved in anime ...

ES: I fell into anime. I work a lot in front of the camera and producers would like my voice and get me into projects through voice over to where I have numerous credits. New Generation Pictures in Beverly Hills (the owners Jonathan Klein and Reiko Matsuo are great friends of mine) got a lot of anime projects through Pioneer LLC over the years and I have been one of the main lead heroines for Nazca, The Amazing Nurse Nanako, I My Me Strawberry Eggs to name just a few. And I have a voiceover agent and I audition for voiceovers as often as I can. I have a few clients to where I their radio spokeswoman such as Monster.com and Patio World. I have also done narration for TLC and The History Channel.

EG: How did you become interested in working with TGs on voice training? Do you know any personally?

ES: I have always been interested in working with TGs. I love my work as a speech coach. I have met TGs over the years and wanted to help them with their voice to make transitioning easier for them. I explain in further detail in the Gay and Lesbian Times article posted on my website. And yes, I do know TGs—they are my students as well as my friends. I have only worked with MTF so far.

EG: What do you seek to accomplish with the training? What can you offer someone who wants to sound more traditionally feminine?

ES: Basically, I look at the voice as keys on a piano. To raise the voice I want my students to just raise one octave while maintaining a rich resonant tone, based in their chest voice, allowing their head voice to allow the sound to spin, giving the throat a break. I do not allow any of my students to speak in a whisper or a strained voice, I want them to be supported by breath deep in their diaphragm.

EG: How are men's and women's voices different?

ES: Men's and women's voices are different when it comes to placement. Men are a base tone while women live in a first Alto. I don't want my TG students to feel like they have to live in their head voice—it's just too hard to maintain. I show them that there is beauty in their chest voice which can be supported by breath, and they can be heard, etc.

EG: Do you enjoy your work with TGs?

ES: I absolutely love my work with TGs—check out my articles, they will help you understand how passionate I am with my work. A TG represents someone who is willing to give up, or risk giving up, everything in life to follow their heart and their truth, and to me that is the highest form of courage, and I want to be a part of that.

For more information about Erica and her voice work with the transgendered, visit her website, www.ericashaffer.com. If you are a TG and would like to contact Erica, you can do so at .