Music Production for Women (MPW) and DistroKid have announced the EmpowHer Sound US Tour of free beginner music production masterclasses across New York, L.A., Nashville and Santa Cruz in July.
Led by MPW’s award-winning founder Xylo Aria, these workshops cover beatmaking, audio effects and synthesis, and aim to empower female and non-gender conforming musicians.
Tickets to these events are free until venues are full, thanks to event sponsors, Novation, Sonnox, Kilohearts and DistroKid.
Attendees will also have the chance to win an SE Electronics X1A microphone bundle, a Novation Launchkey Mini as well as Kilohearts plugins valued at over $700.
The tour, titled EmpowHer Sound - Live, will be hosted by The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, NYU’s Clive Davis Institute, AB Hillsboro Village and UCSC.
This year’s US Tour was organised due to popular demand after a similar event in the UK attracted almost 200 artists.
After attending the event last year, attendee Luna Sophia said it was an “Incredible experience! Lots of lovely like-minded people attending, and fantastic and knowledgeable professional advice and teaching. If you are a woman who is serious about learning production I recommend 10/10!”
Anette Thomas added, "I'm absolutely blown away at the quality of the workshop and all the content that was provided. I'll be leaving the workshop energised, feeling motivated and knowing I will be supported by a group of like minded amazing women".
“When you’re new to the music production space, it can often feel overwhelming to know where to start and how to start building a network,” said Aria. “We designed these events to be that perfect first step where artists, particularly women, can get a taste of music production, while making new friends in a safe and encouraging space.”
MPW began five years ago and has since been included on the Top 50 Innovators of East London list in 2020, named a finalist in Australia’s Business xCellence Awards and earned Aria a place on the She Said So Alt Power List as a finalist place in IABCA’s Young Professional of the Year Award in 2023 and 2024.
It has run workshops and courses to over 8,000 musicians from over 120 countries and continues to grow steadily.
The organisation was created with the aim of empowering women in music technology and prides itself on not only providing practical and actionable educational content, but also on harbouring a safe and encouraging space to learn in.
Free tickets for the event will be available here until the venue capacity has been reached.
Dates: Santa Cruz - 11th July, LA - 13th July, Nashville - 15th July, New York - 20th July.
Read Headliner's interview with Aria here about why she started Music Production For Women, and how it removes the fear factor for women.