Tim Powers — Tim Powers Voice Over LLC
Tim Powers is a veteran voice actor, director, coach and founder of Tim Powers Voice Over LLC, whose career behind the microphone spans decades. His voice has been heard across an impressive range of projects, including video games such as Genshin Impact and Final Fantasy, commercials, medical narration, Dateline NBC, Disney projects and dubbed programming for Netflix. His versatility allows him to move from commercial and narration work to character-driven performances while bringing authenticity and personality to every project.
Tim’s passion extends beyond performing to helping others discover what they can do with their own voices. As a voice-over coach and mentor, he works with actors at different stages of their careers on skills including script analysis, character interpretation and creating natural, believable performances. Drawing on his improv experience with The Groundlings and Upright Citizens Brigade, Tim also created TimProv, an improvisational workshop designed specifically for voice actors to strengthen spontaneity, listening, confidence and creativity.
For Tim, voice acting is about much more than having a great voice—it’s about storytelling, connection, imagination and learning how to bring words on a page to life. Whether he is behind the microphone himself or helping another performer find their confidence, Tim brings experience, humor and a genuine love for the craft to everything he does.
Learn more about Tim, listen to his demos and explore his voice-over coaching at VoiceOfPowers.com
Andrew Hofmann — Kidney Donor Awareness
Andrew Hofmann is a Rochester-area resident joining What’s Up Rochester? to share a deeply personal and potentially life-changing story: he is in need of a kidney transplant and searching for a living kidney donor. Rather than allowing his medical journey to define him, Andrew is using his voice to raise awareness about living kidney donation and the tremendous difference one person can make in another person’s life.
By sharing his story publicly, Andrew hopes not only to find the donor who could give him a second chance, but also to encourage more conversations about organ donation throughout the Rochester community. His appearance on What’s Up Rochester? is a reminder that behind every person waiting for a transplant is a family, a circle of friends, and a future filled with things they still hope to experience. Andrew’s message is simple but powerful: one person’s decision to give can become another person’s gift of life.
Peggy Pollizi, Founder and President of Palmesano Strong
Peggy Pollizi is the Founder and President of Palmesano Strong, an organization created to honor her brother’s legacy while raising awareness about ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) and supporting individuals and families affected by the disease. What began as a deeply personal journey has become a mission to bring people together, increase awareness, and make sure families facing ALS know they are not alone.
Through Palmesano Strong, Peggy channels love, loss, and determination into helping others while keeping her brother’s memory alive. Guided by the message “Let’s Beat ALS!”, she is committed to educating the community, encouraging support for those living with ALS, and creating a lasting impact in the fight against the disease. Peggy joins What’s Up Rochester? to share the story behind Palmesano Strong, the realities families face when ALS enters their lives, and how the Rochester community can help make a difference.
Walter Lee “Junior” Kemp Jr. and Erin Ashbaugh of the Upstate Franchise Basketball Association (UFBA)
Walter Lee “Junior” Kemp Jr. and Erin Ashbaugh are part of the team behind the Upstate Franchise Basketball Association (UFBA), a Rochester-based youth sports organization with more than 20 years of history developing young people both on and off the court. Founded by Kemp, UFBA uses athletics as a pathway to mentorship, leadership, mental wellness, academic support, life skills and community involvement. Its programs include competitive basketball, training and the 4D Training philosophy of Desire, Dedication, Determination and Discipline. Through its “No Player Left Behind” commitment, UFBA works to ensure young people have opportunities to participate, grow and succeed regardless of skill level, background or financial circumstances.
Walter Lee “Junior” Kemp Jr. is a Hall of Fame athlete, coach, social worker, mentor and community leader who has spent more than 30 years working with young people and families. His coaching career has included youth, AAU, high school and collegiate athletics, with players going on to Division I programs, the NBA and professional basketball overseas. His extensive work in suicide and crisis prevention has also shaped his belief that developing an athlete means caring for the whole person—including their mental and emotional well-being.
Erin Ashbaugh, a Rochester native and member of UFBA’s leadership team, brings more than 14 years of higher-education management experience along with a lifelong commitment to youth advocacy and community service. After a life-changing experience involving three Rochester teenagers in 2023, Erin became determined to help create stronger support systems and opportunities for young people and joined UFBA in 2024. Together, Junior and Erin are helping UFBA carry out a mission that goes far beyond winning basketball games: building confident, resilient young people who understand their value, recognize their potential and have people in their corner helping them succeed.
