Star-Studded Resonator Awards Champion Female Creators

The Resonator Awards, hosted by We Are Moving the Needle, have rapidly evolved into a premier event during Grammy Week, drawing significant celebrity participation. This year's ceremony honored figures like Chaka Khan and Chappell Roan, with presenters including Sia and Olivia Rodrigo. The event's core mission is to address the alarming scarcity of women working as music producers and engineers.

Founder Emily Lazar emphasizes the awards' purpose: to celebrate creators and highlight industry challenges. Shocking statistics reveal that only 3% of projects nominated for the Grammys included women in technical roles, with a mere one woman credited solely as an engineer among 58 technical credits for Album of the Year nominees. The "Fix the Mix" report further indicated a 19-to-one male-to-female ratio in production and engineering credits on top songs.

We Are Moving the Needle has made substantial progress since its 2021 inception, raising $875,000 in scholarships and grants. These funds support recipients who are paired with industry mentors. The organization has also established 22 college chapters, aiming to foster early engagement through programs like Amplitude Youth. Lazar stresses the importance of visibility, stating, "You have to see it to know you can be it," and advocates for hiring women based on merit rather than gender tokenism.

Looking ahead, Lazar expresses a hopeful vision where such awards are no longer necessary. The ultimate goal is an industry where all voices are equally represented and celebrated, creating a richer, more honest, and powerful musical culture.