New Orleans and the music industry go hand in hand.  Unfortunately, the music industry has historically been dominated by male artists and executives, according to a 2019 USC/Annenberg study.  The New Orleans Business Alliance and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation are working to change that by hosting a free workshop called “Women Changing Music” on December 4.

“Equity in the music industry is in a better place than it was 10 years ago, but certainly, not where it needs to be,” Kia Robinson, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation’s Programs, Marketing, and Communications Coordinator said in a press release.

The workshop, headlined by a discussion with Michelle Thomas, will focus on how to expand opportunities for women in the music industry, both on stage and behind the scenes.  Thomas is the general manager for Perspective Records and has worked with dozens of artists over the course of her career, such as Enrique Iglesias, Dr. Dre, Eminem and Sting.

Additionally, the program will feature a panel of experts explaining how women can take advantage of those opportunities. Panelists will include Donna Santiago, a local arts and entertainment attorney; Ami Spishock, founder of Fort Williams Artist Management; Nicole Robinson, event coordinator and tour manager for Trombone Shorty; and Trina Shoemaker, Grammy Award-winning producer and sound engineer.

“Culture is an economic asset for which New Orleans is known globally.  As we seek to expand economic opportunity, we must not overlook the music industry as a cultural asset for creating more opportunities for women, and especially women of color, to access wealth-generating business opportunities beyond performing,” Quentin L. Messer, Jr., president and CEO of the New Orleans Business Alliance, said in the release.

The workshop is a part of the Jazz & Heritage Foundation’s “Sync Up” series on business development initiatives in the music industry.  It will take place at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center on Wednesday, Dec. 4 from 5:30 to 7:30 and is free to the public.  To learn more or to register for the workshop, visit https://www.jazzandheritage.org/sync-up/.