On Nov. 7 from 7 pm to 8:30 pm, women and music enthusiasts alike gathered at Spicer’s Music to celebrate the launch of She Collective. SHECO is a new group designed to empower women in music and build a community for female musicians in Auburn.
Jessie Osborne, sales manager and lead creative behind the SHECO launch party and initiative, shared the organization's goals.
"We want to connect women in music, inspire women in music and empower women in music,” Osborne said.
SHECO is built on empowering women to fuel their creative passion for music. Osborne explained that the new group and the event intends to encourage connections between women who will support each other in music.
“I’ve been very privileged to have a lot of amazing people in my life who get those wheels turning, and I hope that this group does that for y’all," Osborne said.
The importance of building a community in Auburn for women in music was the purpose of the entire event. To have women from different musical backgrounds gather together and share their passions opened doors for future connections and mentorship.
“I hope that as you meet these people, you get their phone number and that you get to hang out outside of this ... or if you’re looking for any sort of mentorship from somebody who’s doing the thing that you want to do,” Osborne said.
Attendees of the event ranged in age and musical experience, displaying the variety of potential for women in music.
As the night continued, attendees gathered around to participate in round table discussions, complemented with free snacks and beverages. The tables were provided with discussion prompts to facilitate conversation between women about their experience in the music industry.
The prompts covered topics like navigating gender bias in music, building confidence as musicians, the role of community support, challenges in the music industry, finding inspiration and empowerment.
The shared passion for music was evident throughout the event and the multitude of women who showed up to build a community of support. As discussions ensued, one high-schooler shared how she felt nervous about starting her musical journey later in life. At this sign of vulnerability, other women immediately reassured her and her path in music.
During the table discussion, one of the specific prompts asked the women to consider barriers they have faced within the music industry. Singer-songwriter Janiee Rush shared her perspective wit other women and girls on the most intimidating aspect of pursuing music.
“The lack of networking and how it is harder to get plugged in to what you want to do unless you already know the right people,” Rush said.
The aspect of community and building bridges between musical artists is essential to cultivating opportunities for growth and musical endeavors.
Osborne echoed this idea by sharing how she used to walk into gigs and shows thinking, “I’m the only girl in here.”
She now reflects on this situation with a different perspective. She stated that her position as a woman in music surrounded by men makes her feel powerful.
A popular theme across discussions was the importance of community and how women can truly thrive in music when there is a support system holding them up.
Susan Ray, a piano instructor at Spicer’s Music shares her perspective as someone who has pursued music herself and taught multitudes of young girls in music as well. She discussed the potential that young girls have to excel in music but the limitations of discouragement and how often they are held back by insecurities.
“[Women] can be each other’s biggest supporters and cheerleaders," Ray said.
Ray discussed her observations on women’s struggles in music and explained how beneficial it would be for women to enforce the same confidence they instill in others.
“Why don’t we encourage ourselves like we encourage our best friends,” Ray said.
Nina Jo Sandstrom, a fellow singer-songwriter, explained the power behind community and comparison. She explained how it was difficult at first to stop comparing oneself to other women as a form of discouragement.
“I started using comparison as a motivator. I saw that [other women in music] are doing that, I can do that too," Sandstrom said.
As the event closed out, guests were encouraged to continue building connections and take pictures with each other to celebrate an evening of women in music.
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