About Us
SoundGirls exists to provide a support network for women and non-binary people working in the professional audio industry and to assist those with a drive to be successful in audio. Women make up only 5% of the professional workforce in audio and music production. This profession thrives on word of mouth and networking. SoundGirls gives women working in the industry an opportunity to meet and network with other industry professionals, creating a strong support network.
Mission Statement
To inspire and empower the next generation of women in audio. Our mission is to create a supportive community for women in audio and music production, providing the tools, knowledge, and support to further their careers.
Vision
SoundGirls supports women working in professional audio and music production by highlighting their success and providing a place for them to connect, network, and share advice and experiences.
SoundGirls provides support, career development, and tools to help those working in the field advance in their career.
SoundGirls works to inspire and empower young women and girls to enter the world of professional audio and music production.
SoundGirls seeks to expand opportunities for girls and women in these fields and to share resources and knowledge through cooperation, collaboration, and diversity.
How It All Started
SoundGirls.Org was formed in 2013 by veteran live sound engineers Karrie Keyes and Michelle Sabolchick Pettinato and operates under the Fiscal Sponsorship of The California Women’s Music Festival, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
In 2012, Karrie Keyes and Michelle Sabolchick Pettinato participated in the “Women of Professional Concert Sound” panel at the AES Conference in San Francisco. This experience was how incredibly powerful the panelists. We had all been in the business for 20 years or more, yet most of us had never met before that day, and within minutes we bonded like long-lost sisters. We were struck by how similar our experiences, work ethics and passions were and wondered why our paths had never crossed and how our careers would have been different had we been there to support each other through the years. We were empowered. Each of us had been asked hundreds of times in our careers: Are there other women doing sound? How did you get into sound? How would a young woman go about getting into sound? SoundGirls was established to provide women working in professional audio a community to come to for support and advice, and for empowerment and inspiration.
Since that time SoundGirls has grown into an international organization with over 8,000 members and chapters worldwide. We provide scholarships, mentorships, job placement, business development and workshops. We firmly believe in “You Can’t Be What You Can’t See” and feature a monthly profile on Women in Audio as well as monthly bloggers that share their experiences and expertise.
Meet The Directors
Other Directors
Other Initiatives
The EQUAL Directory powered by SoundGirls in partnership with Spotify is a useful tool when people say “they want to hire women but can’t find any.” We encourage our members to enter their information and share the directory with their peers and colleagues.
EIPMA is a national organization of experienced, working professionals offering career guidance for individuals seeking craft and technical careers in the entertainment industry.
EIPMA is a collaboration between multiple entertainment industry organizations including: American Cinema Editors (ACE), Audio Engineering Society (Los Angeles Section) (AES), Avid, Cinema Audio Society (CAS), Hollywood Professional Association (HPA), Motion Picture Sound Editors (MPSE), Recording Academy, Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers® (SMPTE), and SoundGirls.
Diversify the Stage a network of industry professionals, and community engagement organizations collectively working to build a culture of accountability to establish more inclusive hiring practices and greater access to equitable opportunities in live music, events, and touring industries.
We Are Moving The Needle is a nonprofit organization supporting all women recording industry professionals, audio engineers and producers. We are an inclusive organization working to create measurable change by empowering women in the recording and professional audio industry with the education, equipment and the mentorship needed to succeed at the highest levels.