Meet the Women of The Beatport Group

Brooke Fifield

Role: Project Manager
Artist Name: Housewife

What accomplishments are you most proud of in your musical journey so far, and why?

The major accomplishments thus far for my Housewife project are starting as a bedroom DJ to playing out to thousands. It’s wild to look back at the hustle I had with networking with promoters, bar managers, etc. to let me play at their club/bar and then lugging my mixer and CDJs in a “coffin” case that was so bulky and a pain, to then building a name for myself and getting asked to play bigger shows at legendary venues. Second, my music production which was an intense learning curve and I’m continuing to learn more, but this past year I’ve had a few signed to reputable labels that i’m super proud of.

What advice would you give to aspiring women in music?

Don’t compare yourself! Everyone starts somewhere and it should be motivating and FUN to get to new heights with your project.

Share a track that makes you feel unstoppable.

Courtney Ibarra

Role: Events + Partnerships
Artist Name: DJ Dazzler

What accomplishments are you most proud of in your musical journey so far and why?

An accomplishment I am most proud of in my DJ journey is leading with my core values and aligning myself with opportunities that best resonate with me and the communities I want to serve.

What advice would you give to aspiring women in music?

Be unapologetically *YOU* instead of seeking trends and people to validate you and your purpose.

Share a track that makes you feel unstoppable.

Emilie Birks

Role: VP Marketing, The Beatport Group

What’s a memorable moment from the early days of your musical journey that had a significant impact on your life?

The people who you work with at the start of your career, are the people you will continue to be connected with for the rest of your career. I didn’t realise that those early years were so significant in my life, but those are the people you grow with, you share stories with and who ultimately will continue to support you on your journey.

What advice would you give to aspiring women in music?

Do one thing everyday that scares you

Share a track that makes you feel unstoppable.

Iman Cavargna-Sani

Role: Label Coordinator
Artist Name: TSUNIMAN

What’s a memorable moment from the early days of your musical journey that had a significant impact on your life?

One standout memory was when I played a 6-hour b2b set at my Saturday Club* event in January 2024. As the set wrapped up, my friend and I truly felt why we adore this job. The crowd and us were totally vibing together, creating this incredible energy in the room. It was pure magic, like we were all in sync, feeding off each other’s energies. Unforgettable, for sure.

What advice would you give to aspiring women in music?

Don’t compare yourself to others and believe in your own journey.

Share a track that makes you feel unstoppable.

Jules Kammann

Role: VP – People & Culture

Highlight a moment in your life that you consider a turning point or significant breakthrough?

As a women growing up in Latin America, there is a need of growing brave in the face of adversity to suit the environment (in LATAM, we often face socio-economic and cultural challenges that forge us to grow resilient and adaptable due to the general infrastructure’s lack of stability).

A turning point for me has been learning that being brave doesn’t mean that there is an absence of fear, but the willingness to act despite it. In life, we often find ourselves in situations where we must take a leap of faith, whether it’s starting something new, pursuing a dream, or standing up for what we believe in. It’s in these moments of uncertainty that our true bravery shines through. Instead of allowing fear to hold back, I am learning to best embrace it and forge ahead with courage.

While I have weathered many storms and faced multiple challenges, holding space for myself to feel brave in the face of adversity makes me feel I am “Unstoppable.” My take is to embrace bravery with open arms. Let us dare to dream big, to take risks, and to learn.

And when theres setbacks along the way, I often like to remember that they are not obstacles, but opportunities for growth. In fact, mistakes are not failures; they are merely stepping stones on the path to success. Each misstep teaches us valuable lessons and equips us with the knowledge and experience we need to navigate future challenges.

What advice would you give to aspiring women in music?

Depends. The industry is an ever-changing space and through embracing your own identity and purpose you can also define what’s authentic to you and realise your path forward.

Share a track that makes you feel unstoppable.

Lynda Phoenix

Role: Head of Marketing, Music Services
Artist Name: Lynda Phoenix

What accomplishments are you most proud of in your musical journey so far and why?

Launching one of the first niche download stores in the UK over 20 years ago, I’m proud to be part of the digital music revolution. Also being a tour DJ for Ministry of Sound, resident DJ for Defected, and longstanding resident DJ for London record label Broadcite Music. Plus having a 50k strong community on Soundcloud.

What advice would you give to aspiring women in music?

Support other women in the industry and support the scene you part of. This community will become your musical family and will be there alongside you, on your musical journey.

Share a track that makes you feel unstoppable.

Mariana Bandhold

Role: Content Operations & Customer Support

What accomplishments are you most proud of in your musical journey so far and why?

I am most proud of the fact that I haven’t given up. That I’m still fighting for my dreams and that I still believe in myself! Life gets in the way sometimes and that is okay. But in the midst of all the beautiful challenges that are bound to happen, I’ve remained hopeful and learned to be patient. At 18, I moved from Portugal to LA, fueled by a dream. A decade on, though the dream has evolved with me, its essence remains vibrant. I am proud that I get to work for one of the most incredible companies in the music industry that has the most incredible staff, which I am so grateful to be a part of.

What advice would you give to aspiring women in music?

Support each other. Stay true to yourselves and to what feels right. I truly believe that no one has the same story to tell. Be patient. If you remain aligned with your heart, everything that is meant to come to you will.

Share a track that makes you feel unstoppable.

Marlene Blennberger

Role: UK Garage Curator
Artist Name: Marble

Highlight a moment in your life that you consider a turning point or significant breakthrough?

The most memorable moment of my DJ career was when I played Boiler Room in Stockholm. It was the most nerve-wracking experience but made me more confident in every aspect of being a DJ

What advice would you give to aspiring women in music?

Don’t be afraid to reach out to women that inspire you and ask for advice, you are not alone! We are here for each other. Every woman in music wants more women to take place.

Share a track that makes you feel unstoppable.

Matilda Bear

Role: Junior Project Manager

What’s a memorable moment from the early days of your musical journey that had a significant impact on your life?

A memorable moment I often reflect on was at Boardmasters Festival in 2017. They were hosting an immersive experience called ‘The Underworld’ and I think this was the first time I realised the near limitless extent of the creative possibilities in event design. You entered ‘The Underworld’ through an old tube carriage and had to crawl through tunnels to reach different rooms. Each room took you on a trip through time to different iconic clubs from 1930s Detroit, to 1960s Bristol, to 1970s New York. I was so transported by the experience that something clicked for me and I realised that events gave you the power to create in 5D; that you could shape what the audience heard, how they moved, what they saw, what they smelt and most importantly, how they felt!

What advice would you give to aspiring women in music?

Make the space you want to occupy in the industry. Don’t wait for other people to make that space for you. Start your own collective, create your own community. It’s true what they say that connections are everything so surround yourself with like-minded people, especially like-minded women!

Share a track that makes you feel unstoppable.

Michelle Holmes

Role: Database Engineer

Highlight a moment in your life that you consider a turning point or significant breakthrough?

A highlight/turning point in my life was when I decided to change careers which involved a leap of faith and a huge amount of work and hard times. I realized that it was the hustle and the grind that really made me become the person I wanted to be. It’s about what comes out the other side of the challenge that matters in the end.

What advice would you give to aspiring women in music?

Some advice I would give for achieving goals in general is to keep hustling if it’s what you are passionate about. The only way to fail is to quit.

Share a track that makes you feel unstoppable.

Michelle Mason

Role: QA Engineer
Artist Name: DJ MnM

What’s a memorable moment from the early days of your musical journey that had a significant impact on your life?

A memorable moment from the early days of my musical journey are the college house parties and the summer radio internship I got accepted into afterwards. That time period stands out to me because I was introduced to music from all over the world through my classmates. I knew I loved music but getting exposed to the proper terminology of genres really expanded my music research early on. Also the summer radio internship exposed me to the business side of music along with resources to invest into that provided a base for building my music library. To this day, I will always remember how my friends, peers, and classmates poured into my craft so that I could grow and in return curate fun vibes for them!

What advice would you give to aspiring women in music?

Keep learning, keep practicing, and build genuine connections with others.

Share a track that makes you feel unstoppable.

Olivia Keppel

Role: Paralegal, Legal & Business Affairs
Artist Name: KEPTEK

What accomplishments are you most proud of in your musical journey so far and why?

Having my debut EP signed to Exodus Records (an amazing label that means a lot to me!) is definitely the proudest moment in my musical journey so far. Being able to play my own productions out during my sets is the best feeling and has been a real turning point for me, so to finally share what I’ve been making with the whole community is awesome. It’s due to be released this Spring so keep an eye out!

What advice would you give to aspiring women in music?

ASK FOR WHAT YOU WANT! Don’t be afraid to be a bit pushy- unfortunately we do just have to shout a bit louder.

Share a track that makes you feel unstoppable.

Omnia Elashmawi

Role: Audio Editor, Producer Group
Artist Name: Neozonia

Highlight a moment in your life that you consider a turning point or significant breakthrough?

A breakthrough in my life was actually getting this job as an audio editor. When I graduated, I had no idea exactly what I wanted to do except the same thing I’ve been saying since I was a child, ‘I want to work in the technical side of music.’ Getting this editing job ignited a massive passion in me and I’m always so grateful and happy to be someone who does exactly what she loves to do. I love tearing apart sound and fixing it, and getting to do this for a career feels like I’ve accomplished and figured out the key to happiness and success. It feels like I’ve made it. It doesn’t hurt that I also finally got to tell people that it is possible to make a career in music since they didn’t believe in it!

What advice would you give to aspiring women in music?

If it’s your passion, follow it to the end of the Earth! No matter how hard it gets, the results will always be fulfilling and worth it. Even if you have no support from those around you know that every woman in the industry is rooting for you as she’s been there, too. It’s all worth it if you do it for your passion.

Share a track that makes you feel unstoppable.

Patricia Lin

Role: Social Media & Community Manager
Artist Name: MISS DJ BLISS

Highlight a moment in your life that you consider a turning point or significant breakthrough?

Opening for Pitbull at Colonial Life Arena in South Carolina during his “Can’t Stop Us Now” tour.

What advice would you give to aspiring women in music?

Start before you’re ready, invest in yourself, remember your “why” and stay true to your artistic vision, be proactive and have fun.

Share a track that makes you feel unstoppable.

Shana White

Role: Vice President of Legal and Business Affairs

What accomplishments are you most proud of in your musical journey so far and why?

My accomplishment thus far revolves around my realisation that aspiring to be both a music lawyer and a music producer was a valid and worthwhile pursuit. Recognising the importance of individuality in achieving success and crafting one’s identity was a pivotal moment for me. It took considerable time for me to comprehend that my passion for music production (DJing), songwriting, and music technology embodies the same creative soft skills that contribute to regulating my emotional intelligence in my role as a creative lawyer. The capacity to maintain resilience and calmness has become a crucial attribute, enabling me to embrace a more personable approach while interacting with stakeholders at Beatport.

What advice would you give to aspiring women in music?

Embrace your distinctive qualities and blend your artistic expression with personal experiences and perspectives. Attaining proficiency is crucial, yet equally essential is nurturing a profound understanding of the music industry. Dedicate time to familiarize yourself with marketing, legal matters, and various business aspects, empowering you to make informed decisions that shape your career journey.

Share a track that makes you feel unstoppable.

Verity Mayes

Role: Director of Strategy, Music Services
Artist Name: Maze / Maze&Masters

What’s a memorable moment from the early days of your musical journey that had a significant impact on your life?

When I discovered house music, I discovered Dulcie Danger, casually slaying dancefloors with the classiest sounds. Seeing her up there was an inspiration, and I was lucky enough to have her as my mentor. Without her it would have taken me a lot longer to learn the subtle arts of warming up the dancefloor (and life) with integrity.

What advice would you give to aspiring women in music?

Find, love, and respect your crew.

Share a track that makes you feel unstoppable.