In the month of March, we celebrate several notorious holidays, including: St. Patrick's Day and National Read Across America Day. While these are fun days for everyone to participate in, the month is also known as Women's History Month.
Women's History Month celebrates the vast contributions that women have had in every aspect of our society. In staying true with the spirit of the month, our team has chosen to take this opportunity to share some of the experiences (positive and negative) that our female members have encountered while working in the music industry, while also highlighting some of the wonderful female artists who have impacted us.
Meet the Women of Music Scene Media
Gabrielle Groves- Journalist / Mads Pae- Journalist / Abby Crabill- Journalist / Kiera Gower- Journalist / Melissa Azevedo- Journalist / Mell Breaker- Journalist / Reya Casajus- Copy Editor / Taylor Dakota- Assistant Editor, Reviews Editor, Journalist / Ashley O’Mara- Assistant Editor, Photographer / Melanie Williamson- Music Scene Media founder, owner, Editor-in-Chief / Magaly Bocangel- Photographer / Peyton Mott- Photographer / Margot Suchet- Photographer / Karalyn Rook- Photographer / Kaitlyn (Akela) Gahagan- Photographer / Ashley McKenzie- Photographer / Cole Kubizne- Photographer / Brittany Chavez- Copy Editor, Photographer / Daniela Bernabei-Grassi- Photographer / Christy Peterson- Photographer / Alissa Szucs- Photographer / Anna Oleniczak- Photographer, Journalist / Hayley Knight- Video Editor, Photographer / Jennah Brown - Journalist
Why did you want to get involved in the music industry?
"I spent my childhood and teenage years surrounded by musicians. I’ve been going to concerts for as long as I can remember. When I was younger I befriended a local rapper that went to my school that ended up gaining major success, and being surrounded by that really inspired me to get involved in the Florida hip-hop scene." -Kaitlyn (Akela) Gahagan
"My entire life I have always had a strong appreciation for music. It is one of the only things in life that I find moves me and that I feel passionate for. I wanted to give back to the industry that has given me so much happiness throughout my life!" -Christy Peterson
"When I got back to in-person classes at my college, I was determined to make friends and join some sort of club or community. I landed on my college radio station where I hosted a weekly radio show, wrote music reviews and slowly began photographing the artists in my scene. Ever since I got my first camera, I loved capturing the coolest shots of music even in the toughest lighting; it became my favorite weekend activity. It began as a hobby and helping out my musician friends, but now I can really picture this becoming my full time career. As I was the friend who was always taking my friends Instagram pictures in high school and taking AP art classes has given me a great foundation as an artist and director. Now, I feel like those skills have built upon each other as I began contributing to magazines and completing my journalism degree. In the future, I hope to work in publicity or some sort of public relations career tied to entertainment and music." -Anna Grace Oleniczak
"I had always grown up with an affinity to music and was never good enough to play in a band, but combining my love for visual art and music changed the game for me. I love being surrounded by good music of all genres and working consistently with people who also care about music like I do." -Peyton Mott
"I really love attending concerts. The feeling I get seeing my favorite bands/artists on stage is one I can’t quite replicate on my own. I love being able to capture memories of a lifetime and love being able to tell people this is what I do." -Dani Bernabei-Grassi
"Music has always been my driving force, and I love being able to share new music with others. I love connecting with artists, both established and up-and-coming, and sharing their stories." -Abby Crabill
"My passion for music has always been so strong that I knew my career path had to center around something that involved it. Also, I have always wanted to help new artists gain more recognition, so writing articles for them was a passion for me as well." -Melissa Azevedo
"I wanted to get involved in the industry to create the type of content I wanted to see from my favorite artists as a fan. I'd love to help artists grow and to be that bridge between fans and their new favorite artists." -Gabby Groves
"Music impacted my life from such a young age. Through being a part of fan bases, I was able to see an entirely different side of the world and finally felt like I had a community. I want to spend my life showcasing artist-fan connections and how much they can change your life for the better." -Ashley McKenzie
What have your experiences been like as a female in the music industry?
"As a female concert photographer and music producer, it’s had its up’s and down’s. I’ve had far more success in the concert photography industry because, from what artists in my area have told me, they feel more comfortable with women taking their photos. However, on the music production side of things, women almost never get taken seriously. I had to work twice as hard to get half as far as my fellow (male) producers." -Kaitlyn (Akela) Gahagan
"Overall, being a woman in the music industry has been good! There are some negative things here or there, such as people assuming that I am in the industry for nefarious or promiscuous reasons, or that am only in it for attention. Obviously, those things aren't true at all, so I try not to let it bother me too much. I have found wonderful groups and people that don't let my gender get in the way for their respect me and for the work I produce. I can't imagine life without music, and I love giving back to the scene in my own way!" -Christy Peterson
"As a female working in the music industry, I have felt great amounts of support from other girls and bands in my local scene. Being part of the community that music creates is so special to me and I do not know where I would be now without it. With that being said, there have been instances between myself and other girls of men making us uncomfortable at shows and gigs. There has been some drunk dudes to ruin an evening that lead to public cancellations on social media. The best solution is making the awareness of these individuals, who are sometimes artists, sound producers or other photographers, aware of their wrong doings and protect those who were affected. Fangirls are the heart of this industry and I will go above and beyond to protect my sisters in music." -Anna Grace Oleniczak
"As a non-man in the industry it can get disheartening at times when dealing with all aspects. A common issue I find is being validated while working onsite at live events and having multiple security guards and venue staff question my credentials, as well as other male photographers having a "contest" in who has the best gear. But positively speaking – meeting other female photographers in pits that have become good friends as well + working closely with the rising amount of women in different sectors of the industry." -Peyton Mott
"I’ve generally had good experiences and met some fantastic people in the industry. Artists and photographers alike. However, there have been a few times I’ve encountered some people that tend to target women in the industry for reasons unknown to me. These experiences have made me more vigilant in who I connect with, but has ultimately left me unshaken." -Dani Bernabei-Grassi
"Like anything, the industry comes with a mixture of good & bad. People often like to label women in music as "fangirls", which sometimes leads to the downplay of the work that they do. While it can be hard to be respected or taken seriously in the industry at times, it is always a highlight getting to interact with other strong women in the industry who can relate to the daily struggles." -Abby Crabill
"So far I’ve had a positive experience, but I’m still pretty new in the industry. I’m thankful people have been very welcoming and optimistic what the future has to bring." -Melissa Azevedo
"I'm grateful to say that I haven't had any bad experiences in the music industry so far. Every artist and PR team that I've interacted with has been so kind and appreciative of the pieces I've done for them, and I'm thankful for the opportunities they've given me. I'm also happy to be working with three music projects that are all run by women." -Gabby Groves
"As being a woman in this day and age, the struggle is everywhere. Daily in this industry, you are talked down upon and looked at as if you don't understand what you're talking about. It's a predominantly male dominated field. I hope to continue to see an influx of young women in the industry because we deserve our place in it." -Ashley McKenzie
What female musician(s) have greatly impacted you?
"I can’t just pick one. Ashnikko, Kehlani, Billie Eilish and Chappell Roan have all had astronomical impacts on me." -Kaitlyn (Akela) Gahagan
"There are so many favorite female musicians that I currently have, such as Doechii, Benee, Tatiana Shmaylak, Chaney Crabb, and Lola Young are just a few I can name off the top of my head. However, my favorite female musician that's impacted me the most would probably be Avril Lavigne. She was one of the first musicians that I discovered on my own as a kid, and she sparked my love for branching out and finding music that I wasn't already being exposed to." -Christy Peterson
"Halsey. She was the first big artist that I became a fan of when I was in high school and she was my first artist meet and greet. I love everything she stands for and she is a great example for female artists and creators." -Anna Grace Oleniczak
"Hayley Williams! I first realized that music photography and journalism was an option when I was 13 at the MOnumentour and Paramore offered photo passes publicly. As well as her outspoken nature for those underrepresented in the industry and within her team." -Peyton Mott
"I'd have to say Tina Turner (RIP) or Chappell Roan. I love that Tina faced so much hardship in her life and pushed through to come out on time. Chappell inspires me to stand up for what I believe in and to not back down when faced with adversity." -Dani Bernabei-Grassi
"There are so many! But a few strong female musicians that I admire are: Miley Cyrus, Hayley Williams, Pat Benatar, and Stevie Nicks." -Abby Crabill
"Halsey." -Melissa Azevedo
"Ariana Grande." -Gabby Groves
"Stevie Nicks has always had a huge impact on me." -Ashley McKenzie
