Women of the dance music industry.
On this International Women’s Day, Clubbing TV is celebrating the strength, pride and achievements of the women in our industry.
Either working under the spotlights or in the shadows, these women are paving the way for the next generation of women in the electronic music scene.
We asked DJs, Bartenders, PR and Marketing Managers, Photographers, IT specialists, Dancers and Producers among many others, to answer one single question :
What are you the most proud of in your career so far ?
Carina Kornfeind (The Netherlands), Celebrating unity and freedom on the dance-floor, ID&T
I still remember my very first festival experience, it was Welcome to the Future in Amsterdam, the festival I ended up working for, for the last ten years. The experience of connectedness with like-minded people was something completely new and mind-blowing to me and i felt the calling to leave behind my commercial marketing job and to focus my career on bringing people together in exactly that way: on the dance-floor.
Then the crazy ride at ID&T begun. Together with my amazing team i had the honour to organise several indoor and outdoor festivals, including Mysteryland. Today, I can say that Mysteryland 2019 has been my personal highlight. Not only because it was our last event before the long Covid break, the last time we could do what we are so passionate about… Also because the amazing team effort we have put into the event for so many years perfectly seemed to fall into place. A sold out event with perfect weather, perfect sound and an exhilarating atmosphere! The last hour of Mysteryland 2019 was an hour of so much joy, so many tears, pride and satisfaction which we cherished together with our close crew. I will always carry this very special moment in my heart.
Raiza Carrera (Perú), Head Bartender
I was born in Peru but I have lived in Barcelona for many years and I feel happy and fulfilled by all the achievements I have made throughout my career.
Always looking to evolve, study and learn more about the best cocktails I have been to many festivals and clubs in Ibiza in order to reach all goals I had set for myself.
I am currently very proud and happy to work in my favorite bar Libertinecocktailbar in Barcelona with an amazing team.
Nací en Perú pero vivo en Barcelona desde hace muchos años y me siento feliz y realizada por todos los logros que he alcanzado a lo largo de mi carrera.
Siempre buscando evolucionar, estudiar y aprender más sobre los mejores cócteles, he ido alcanzando todas mis metas y durante ese tiempo he estado en muchos festivales, clubs en Ibiza y actualmente
Estoy muy orgullosa y feliz de trabajar en mi bar favorito Libertinecocktailbar en Barcelona con un equipo increíble.
Marielle Hilgenga (The Netherlands) – Head of Marketing at Loveland Events
Definitely the last edition of our Loveland ADE shows.We had to change our shows from night-, to day time and allowing only 75% of the total capacity due to government covid restrictions. At the same time we announced two extra shows to make sure we would not have to disappoint any of our visitors.
With less than 3 weeks to change and announce everything it seemed nearly impossible but the whole team pulled their weight to make it happen. Even though it was our first production after the pandemic, we created a grand total of 8 shows in four days at two locations making it a personal record for Loveland Events.
The comeback is always stronger than the setback.
You can try to catch Marielle on those dates :
Loveland van Oranje 2022 – April 27, 2022
Music On Festival 2022 – May 7 & 8, 2022
909 Festival 2022 | 10 YRS – May 28, 2022
Diynamic Festival Amsterdam 2022-June 4, 2022
Loveland Pool Party – August 12, 2022 Loveland Festival 2022 | 25 YRS – August 13 & 14, 2022
Loveland Hotel 2022 – August 12,13 & 14, 2022
Loveland ADE shows 2022 – October 20 – 23, 2022
RJ THE DJ (Malawi)
I’m proud that I started. I’m proud I got up and did what I had to do even if it was not perfect at the time and now. I’m just proud of myself for every gig I’ve done so far.
Francesca Neumann (UK/Italy), Project Lead – elrow Holland at Apenkooi Events
Most proud of in my career so far – Taking a ride into the unknown.
After navigating several international experiences into my career including briefly living and working in Australia. Four years ago, whilst very happy in my role at Vice Media UK and over a decade living in London, I decided I needed to shake things up and finally took the plunge to move abroad. I knew there would be challenges here and there, but this move also happened only 18 months before the times of covid. Always a fan of lifelong learning – it’s never too late – this experience has already taught me so much already. I won’t deny I’ve hit a few bumps head on, but I really have taken the rough with the smooth. I now find myself in a special place that I can’t imagine having happened had I not made embraced the change, working across new brands a family of new colleagues and now leading the fantastic elrow brand in Holland. Here’s to continuing that ride!
Charlotte Amuge/ R3IGN DROPS (Uganda), DJ, Producer & Journalist
I am mostly proud of the fact that I am able to juggle between being an artist (DJ and Producer) and a Journalist at the same time.
Emma Beldent (France/Spain) Operations Lead – PRONTO at BMAT Music Innovators / Label Manager at FORM music
I feel very proud to see more and more women taking over important roles in our once male-dominated industry. Although there is still a long way to go, I know we are finally moving towards the right direction.
I started to work at a record label 12 years ago where I was the only woman in the staff and taking care of almost exclusively male artists. Seeing how this changed over the years was just amazing.
I’m now leading the Digital Operations team at BMAT where I’m surrounded by so many amazing and inspiring women handling both technical and business roles!
It may sound cliché but I’m simply proud of my personal and professional journey. I studied and worked hard to get where I am today. I would not change any part of it and I have to say it’s being one hell of a ride 🙂
Rachel Ecclestone (The Netherlands) Photographer
A recent moment that struck me, and made me very proud of my progress, was last week. A large festival that I was in awe of and worked at for the first time but 3 years ago, a dream goal already to have been asked to work at, (2 year break in between) called to ask who I would like to work alongside, to provide a list of new, talented, photographers to add to the teams for 2022. The feeling of having been given the trust of putting forth names that I felt were underrated or under the radar, as well as being able to put forth female names is an incredible position to be put in – as well as being seen as a tastemaker in the scene is an honour. To have gone from a daydreamer of being in the ‘scene’, to being able to lift people into it, made me feel incredibly seen and heard.
Cruz Arnau (Spain), elrow Co-Founder & Brand Steward
Bring joy and happiness all over the world is probably what I’m most proud of.
When we created elrow we haven’t thought for a minute we’ll achieve what we’re currently doing. My brother and myself just wanted to do a new concept of party in Barcelona, something to have fun with our friends and close clients. People loved the event and started bringing the show to other cities in Spain, then some international shows… and now we’re present in the 5 continents, partnering up with some of the best promoters in the world, doing more than 100 shows a year and doing our own big festivals. It’s a big responsibility but when I go to the shows and see all those people enjoying it, all efforts have paid off. We’re very passionate of what we do.!!
Cristiana Votta (USA), Management @ Alegria Agency
It’s hard to pin-point a specific moment that I’m most proud of in my career thus far as each accomplishment holds its own memories and personal accolades, but one of the very top accomplishments would be Black Coffee’s recent Grammy nomination.
Being able to be a part of his journey and in particular, a part of the “Subconsciously” album has been such an honor and a blessing. He’s always believed in me and put such careful trust in all that I can do… it means the world!
Catu Diosis(Uganda/Germany), DJ, Producer & Creative
I am extremely proud of the relationships I have built with female artists both from Africa and the rest of the Globe whether we met on tour, at dj workshops I have taught at or even through Dope Gal Africa(A platform I created with R3ignDrops to celebrate & Collaborate with fellow African female artists). I feel that these relationships are extremely powerful and have brought so much inspiration, beauty and purpose in my life.
Miss Sheila (South Africa), DJ
Knowing that all the hard work paid off, and that I’ve always stayed true to what I really like.
Miane (Spain), DJ
I can say that I feel proud of having defined my sound that I have been working on for years.
Thanks to having locked myself in the studio for so long and having dedicated hours to it, I have been able to catapult my career towards the great festivals that I have always dreamed of performing, such as Coachella, CRSSD Festival, Aquasella among others…
Puedo decir que me siento orgullosa de haber definido mi sonido que hace años vengo trabajandolo. Gracias a haberme encerrado tanto tiempo en el estudio y haberle dedicado horas, he podido catapultar mi carrera hacia los grandes festivales que siempre he soñado actuar, como Coachella, CRSSD Festival, Aquasella entre otros..
Neryska Ana Crasto (India), Marketing Manager at Universal Music Group
Honestly, I consider my personal transformation my greatest achievement. From a quiet, shy and moderately anxious person, over the past decade my career has challenged me and thus moulded me into a strong and confident person. I have travelled through failures and successes on this unpredictiable journey and I am proud that I have always taken challenges head on enabling me to become the successful music professional I am today.
Jane Evans (Ireland/Netherlands), Publicist & Founder of DAMSA PR
Despite a lot of uncertainty going on in the world and some initial doubts, I went out on my own and began working freelance in 2020. 1.5 years later and I have an agency with an amazing roster of artists & labels that I’m extremely proud of, with the hopes of expanding in the future.
Paloma Souza (Brazil), TikToker
I’m proud to finally be able to see myself as an amazing person that I know I am, to look at my way and feel that I’m enlightened and full of happiness to give. When I was younger, for a long time I thought I was an insufficient person, not only in terms of ability, but also in terms of appearance, and today the greatest achievement of my career is having the strength to face the world with an open heart and pursuing my goals without the fear of being happy and without the fear of being who I am.
Me orgulho de finalmente conseguir me enxergar como uma pessoa incrível que eu tenho certeza que sou, de olhar o meu jeito e sentir que sou iluminada e cheia de felicidade para dar. Quando eu era mais nova, por muito tempo me achei uma pessoa insuficiente, não só em relação a capacidade, mas aparência também, e hoje a maior conquista da minha carreira é ter forças para encarar o mundo de coração aberto e correr atrás dos meus objetivos sem medo de ser feliz e sem medo de ser quem sou.
Adixia (France), DJ
I am very proud to see that women found their way in this world. My biggest pride in my career would be that I’m able to give love and dedication every day for the music!
Mélanie Moresve (France), Co-founder @Pulse Festival l @Atomic Festival
Associée @Les Halles de la Transition
Events Maker @BNK l @Exil
Programmatrice des Open Air @La Friche Gourmande
What I’m most proud of is not just a project, but rather the fact of having made my passion my profession.
I started from scratch, without mentor or network and today I organize events in one of the biggest Parisian collectives with whom we founded 2 festivals.
Moreover, in a very masculine environment.
I want to encourage all women who want to have a business to get started.
All women who are passionate about electronic music – whether you are an artist or an organizer or come from a technical profession – to start.
I hope that one day we can have an equal environment and that women are taken seriously without having to prove themselves twice as much.
It is true that there are already movements and that this is changing little by little – but little by little is not enough for me – I want the transition to be faster and stronger, for mentalities to change more quickly.
That will make our scene even better.
Charlotte Lafon (France), Independant PR
I am proud today as a passionate and hard-working woman – but also mother – to be on press relations, Partnerships and communication consultancy for key events in electronic music but also to contribute to the democratization of emerging artists in this hyper-productive and eminently masculine aesthetic…
Manami Sakamoto (Japan), VJ/ Visual Artist
What I am most proud of so far in my career is that I have been blessed with many friends who love me and support me and are faithful to me regardless of gender, age, or national borders, which I have gained through participating in many parties and festivals, both nationally and internationally.
There are many dreams that have come true and many dreams that I would like to continue to fulfill, but first and foremost, I am most proud to have been blessed with faithful friends and a wonderful group of artists who inspire me.
In the world of music and art, as in all events, the chemical reaction of overlapping forces can be a step that creates a giant step forward.
What we need most to create the future we desire are friends with whom we can share ideas, inspiration, and joy.
Website : https://www.manamisakamoto.com/
Arielle (UK), DJ & Creative Manager
I’m super proud of the people around me actually! I’ve seen so many powerful women absolutely conquer the odds surrounding them in this industry; they inspire me constantly to do more and push harder in my own career! To me, there’s nothing more motivating than being surrounded by amazing women and achieving things together, so honestly I owe my success to them.
Selena Faider (France), DJ
Being able to do what I love to do every single day: create, express myself, make people dance.
I am the boss of my own journey.
Cana Hatsushiba (Japan), International Bookings @ WOMB / Producer
I discovered dance music when I was 18. Since then I have travelled all over the world, enjoying festivals and parties in every corner of the world. After about 10 years of traveling, I returned to Japan and found my love, lifework, at WOMB TOKYO.
Everything was so connected and life goes on. I have been able to make a living from the experiences I have had while traveling.
I was lucky enough not to feel like I was actually working, I felt like I was on a journey, inviting guests from abroad every weekend and introducing them to Japanese culture. And the high light of this journey was experiencing the best sound system at the best night club in Tokyo. The proudest moment throughout the job was when everyone was smiling happily and saying thank you for the enthusiasm and good vibes that filled the dance floor.
From planning, negotiating ,booking, co-ordinating the visit to Japan and attending during the visit. The sense of unity at the WOMB parties was incredible, and I will always remember working there.
In 2020, when the pandemic happened, it made impossible to invite guests from abroad, so then I went back to school, focused on my roots in travel and studied tourism in the meantime. A few years ago, I launched a project called WOMB Travel, a bridge between dance music and travel, with the aim of bringing more Japanese people to the world and experiencing real dance music scene. So far, events have been held with local teams in the USA, Holland, Spain, India, Taiwan and other countries, and the response has been overwhelming.
With those experiences ,I would like to suggest everyone to enjoy more travel and create new lifestyle. Here is my new travel project more focused on lifestyle, its called “cannelle travel “.
Let’s spice up our life and travel the world again!
Happy International Women’s Day!!!
Catch Cana right here : @cannelletravel @wombtravel
Marine/Lia Moon (France), DJ
I am proud to always have an intense desire to create, to discover and to have been able to play all over the world … And to survive as a woman in this hostile and masculine world.
José Woldring (The Netherlands), Founder The Media Nanny
The thing I’m most proud of in my career so far is the company I set up 10 years ago and which is still one of the leading agencies in the industry. After working in a male dominated industry for over 10 years, I am especially proud to see what my team, consisting almost exclusively of women, has achieved and continues to achieve every day.
Yeohee Kim / Machìna (Korea), Music producer, singer
After a few years in the K-pop scene, I moved my base from Seoul to Tokyo and decided to make an album that was for me, and no one else. I began to write my story to the world, and I learned how to be honest with myself through music. It all began when I first released the album archipelago independently, which still has to be the proudest moment of my career until today.
Music has a fundamental power to affect us. When we hear a voice with a rhythm and a melody we are put off guard and we listen. If you can imagine a sweet songbird singing in a drunken pub full of sorrow, we have the power to move people, to communicate, and in someway I hope:, to stop the war. I am proud that I make music, and I know I have the power to go anywhere with it if I want to.
Happy International Women’s Day. Cheers to all the beautiful women, you know who you are!
Juliette Leigniel (France), Director-Photographer
What I’m the most proud of in my career so far is to have been able to share immense talent through emotions. I felt trusted when sharing exclusive stories of artists I loved when I was an interviewer, and now, since I’m a photographer and director, I feel very lucky to show the beautiful auras of amazing people. Through my career, I’ve taught myself how to give a voice, how to create a space for others to express themselves to the world, and that’s probably what makes me the proudest.
Hito (Japan), DJ
I am still enjoying to continue what I love this is my most proud.
Rebecca Godfrey / BEC (Germany), DJ
I am most proud of the workshops and lectures I’ve given during my career. Inspiring others to have the self confidence needed on this journey in the music business has been absolutely priceless. Getting others to step into their power and believe in themselves whilst embarking through parts of their career in music.
Hibotep (Ethiopia), Poet & DJ
I am proud of the fact I can create life and still be able to discover music and share what I find .and that I can do things that was almost impossible for my ancestors to do ,to stand in front of people and be myself . I can scream my truth .
From the Clubbing TV's female team :
Elisa Pissarro (France), Partnerships Manager at Clubbing TV & Pure Ibiza Radio / DJ & Radio host @ Pure Ibiza Radio
To have helped and contributed to the growth and expansion of individuals and companies, to have finally managed to put together what I love most: Music and DJing and what I do best: Building relationships, managing brands and media partnerships deals, making magical and unique events happen ! This makes my job very entertaining and fun. Thank you and have a wonderful Women’s day Xx
Sean Torres (Philippines), Social Media manager @ Clubbing TV
I am most proud of surviving a lot in life that’s worth acknowledging. Not everyone comes out of their challenges and setbacks stronger and the fact that I didn’t let those setbacks defeat me is more than enough to be proud of!
Chloé Bougon (France), Editorial Content at Clubbing TV and Head of Artists Management at Atlanticus Music
My career just started two years ago, so I know the best is yet to come, but I am already really proud that I have been able to emancipate myself through a work I love in the difficult-to-access Music Industry. I am proud to finally be an actor in this field and to participate in making it bigger and better a bit more every single day.
Laureline Testé Wyrich (France), COO @ Clubbing TV
I am the most proud of my ability to listen and learn from others. Whether it’s live-broadcasting, writing, directing, managing or thinking, I owe my strength and knowledge to some special people (and tough life lessons). Today I have the power to return the favor and I will do the same to anyone who needs it.
Happy International Women’s Day to you all!
Laureline
Simon Small
March 9, 2022
Why no Alice Reize 😕