Where are all the ladies?

When I first got into music, I didn't just want to be a musician or singer. I wanted to take full control of the creative process of making music. I therefore decided to enroll on a BA (Hons) Music Production course at Leeds College of music and it has been one of the best experiences of my life.

From attending dance music festivals and gigs across the country, I was saddened to see so few female producers and DJ's pleasing the crowds. This is what has influenced me into learning how to make my own beats. Having come from a classical background, I knew this would be a big change from the norm.

I hoped that by going to University to study music production I would meet like-minded girls on the course but with it being such a male dominated course, I did not. This hugely knocked my confidence down in music and it's only now since finishing my degree that I have built the confidence back up to pursue what I love doing. I grew a thick skin throughout my time at LCoM and had excellent tutors, family and friends who encouraged my love of music production and pushed me to do the best I could. It hasn't been easy, but it hasn't all been doom and gloom. Going to music college enabled me to create music and work with lots of amazing musicians. I'd just like to challenge everyone in music to think about some of the attitudes that exist, and I hope to see more debate around what can change.

In the United Kingdom, a survey by the Music Producers Guild (MPG) last year estimated that around six per cent of its members were women. Cameron Craig, MPG’s executive director, admits, “It’s not great. It never has been, but it is rising, slowly but surely.” While it is a minuscule percentage, nevertheless a growing number of female producers and engineers are challenging the notion that the technical side of music is a man’s world.

In any field that's so heavily dominated by powerful men, I believe it is extremely difficult for women to gain respect or be welcomed, and I have found that in the music industry the sheer intimidation of how women are treated keeps me aspiring to move up the ladder and break these unnecessary gender boundaries.

So my message to all the young aspiring female producers out there is to just go for it; learn to not give a s*** about what other people think you can and cannot do. Do what you love and do what makes you happy; and you will be forever grateful that you never gave up.