Turn Up Her Mic is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization highlighting the experiences and career paths of women working in the live music industry - touring musicians, music directors, tour managers, and more.
We create platforms of awareness, dialogue, and opportunity that inform, encourage and increase the number of women in live music.
Through informative panels, mentorship programs, and online initiatives, Turn Up Her Mic provides a community to women who are underrepresented in live music with similar aspirations, goals, and interests.
Lexii Lynn Frazier, TUHM Panelist
Guitarist for Kehlani, Pink $weats, Chloe x Halle
Photo by Dave Karp
ADVOCACY
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Spreading awareness about the complexities of gender inequality in the live music industry, and giving touring professionals a platform to speak on the manifestations of these issues.
In Conversation: Women In Music, Part 1
July 21, 2020
Our first panel in the series, 15 professional touring musicians performing with artists such as Beyoncé, Ariana Grande, Stevie Wonder, BTS, Harry Styles, Chloe x Halle, Lizzo, and more gather to discuss biases experienced in professional settings. The panelists offers short-term and long-term solutions to gender inequity in the touring circuit.
In Conversation: Gender Equity in Jazz
September 8, 2020
In our "Gender Equity in Jazz" panel, 6 professional jazz musicians discuss the challenges faced in jazz educational and performance environments. Panelists have performed on stages such as Jazz at Lincoln Center, prestigious jazz festivals, and have worked with the likes of Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Jon Batiste, Clark Terry, Terri Lyne Carrington and more. These accomplished panelists discuss the gender equity issues that still exist in the jazz, and how to move forward from a historically male-dominated genre.
In Conversation: Women In Music, Part 2
August 18, 2020
A follow-up to our first panel, 13 professional touring musicians performing with artists such as Beyoncé, Ariana Grande, Kanye West, BTS, Harry Styles, Chloe x Halle, Lizzo, and more further discuss the role of gender in professional settings, and what long-term solutions may serve the next generation of touring musicians.
In Conversation: Gender Equity on the Road
January 5, 2021
In our "Gender Equity on the Road" panel, womxn working behind the scenes at live shows (such as tour managers, sound engineers, and more) discuss the challenges they face. Panelists have worked with artists such as Janelle Monaé, Bon Iver, Vampire Weekend, Prince, and more. Topics discussed include lack of representation, respect, and how to build a more inclusive culture in the touring circuit and on the road.
MENTORSHIP
Turn Up Her Mic's pilot-turned-flagship program is a 6-week curriculum where young, pre-professional women experience weekly mentorship sessions with a designated industry veteran. Mentors have performed and worked with Beyoncé, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Keith Urban, Janelle Monaé, Alejandro Sanz, and more.
Aspiring young women receive mentorship in professions where women are the minority; music direction, touring/session musicianship, tour management, live sound, and more
Although 2021 was our pilot program, 78 young women applied from seven countries.
Going into The Turn Up Her Mic Mentorship Program, I had an interest in becoming a Tour Manager. Throughout this program, I was able to gain an understanding of the different responsibilities a Tour Manager has and how important they are in helping the success of a tour. Being able to meet with my mentor each week allowed me to learn about the importance of budgeting, and how to properly track various costs.
I was excited to be a part of The Turn Up Her Mic Mentorship Program because I was interested in learning about becoming a Tour Manager, and I left with that information, but also so much more. It’s awesome to see how everyone has grown since the program has ended and how we each may be connected in the future! One of my favorite moments after the program was when I worked my first music event at Global Citizen Live and Elise (Solberg) was playing!
-Jasmine Graham, Los Angeles, 2021 Mentee
Tour Management
The Turn Up Her Mic Program was very helpful in defining my approach to live music production.
When I first started the mentoring I came up with wrong ideas about the music industry and how I wanted to develop in it. However, my sessions with my mentor, Ángela Gil, were very helpful to clarify my doubts and realize that there is an endless sea of possibilities right in front of my eyes.
In my personal experience, belonging to a minority and being from another country where the opportunities and scope of this type of program is limited and even non-existent, being part of this mentorship was really special.
-Odette Bazan, Mexico City, 2021 Mentee
Tour Management
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