We Are Moving the Needle Reveals Resonator Awards Recipients for January 30th Event in LA

We Are Moving The Needle, a non-profit organization that is radically reshaping the future of the recording industry by advancing gender equity for producers and engineers, revealed today that its inaugural Resonator Awards will honor six extraordinary women for their work in the recording studio as producers, engineers and mixers: Alanis Morissette, Corinne Bailey Rae, Caroline Polachek, Catherine Marks, Laura Sisk and Jennifer Decilveo will be celebrated at the January 30th awards dinner at Beauty & Essex in Hollywood. Resonator Impact Awards will also be presented to music executives Michael Goldstone of Mom+Pop Music and Christine Thomas of Dolby Labs for their commitment to advancing gender equity across the music industry. The awards will be presented by boygenius, Jack Antonoff, Ariel Rechtshaid, FLETCHER and others. SiriusXM on-air personality and music journalist Jenny Eliscu will host the Resonator Awards, which are empowered by EqualizeHer.

Poised to uplift the power of technical creators during the most prestigious week in music, the invite-only event will celebrate top music producers and engineers. This inaugural ceremony will recognize the first inductees to the Resonator Hall of Fame, including 15-time GRAMMY® Award-winner Alicia Keys, GRAMMY® Award-nominated producer and songwriter Linda Perry, and others (full list below). The Resonator Hall of Fame honors legendary producers and engineers who paved the way, making significant contributions to the music industry over their careers. Honorees and Hall of Fame inductees are selected by a committee of their peers based on their technical integrity, artistic excellence, innovation, and impact.

“This inaugural Resonator Awards invites the music community to come together and connect in a profound commitment to advancing gender inclusivity in the studio,” said Emily Lazar, GRAMMY Award-winning mastering engineer and founder of We Are Moving The Needle. “This is more than a celebration. This is an historic moment where we will shine a light on a set of phenomenal creators -- not because they are women, but because they are powerful producers, engineers, and artists whose work from behind the console has inspired us all. Actions speak louder than words, and this moment not only increases visibility, access, and representation, it inspires the next generation of talent to break barriers and reinvent the future of the industry.”

Emily Lazar

The 2024 Resonator Awards

Luminary of the Year Award - Alanis Morissette

This award is presented to a person or group whose career contributions to the music industry light the way for others. They are an inspiration not only to those within the industry but also to those in their communities. Their profound and meaningful impact has transcended the confines of the music realm and has meaningfully and significantly impacted the world.

Powerhouse of the Year Award - Catherine Marks presented by boygenius

This award is presented to a leading producer for a project that has made a significant, lasting impact on the music industry this year. This creator’s technical artistry has changed popular music from behind the scenes, and their unparalleled achievements will serve as inspiration for fellow producers for years to come. Catherine’s credits include: Alanis Morissette, boygenius, The Killers, Wolf Alice.

Exceptional Ears Award - Laura Sisk presented by Jack Antonoff

This award recognizes a leading engineer—who specializes in either recording, mixing or mastering—whose technical artistry has made a noteworthy mark on the field this year. This creator’s acute sense of detail, unwavering commitment to sonic excellence, and mastery of the engineer's craft have not only elevated their own work but have set a new standard for the industry. Laura’s credits include: Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey, Jack Antonoff.

The Golden Trifecta Award - Caroline Polachek presented by Ariel Rechtshaid

This award honors a top creator who is reinventing the rules: an innovator who breaks down traditional barriers and makes magic happen on both sides of the glass. This creator exerts prowess across multiple disciplines: they are a producer, an engineer, an artist & composer.

Harmonizer Award - Corinne Bailey Rae

This award honors a creator who uses music to leverage social change. A voice of our collective conscience who pushes boundaries to powerfully articulate their message and drive deeper meaning through music, this artist and producer challenges issues of our time head on and inspires social change through composition, production and recording.

The All-Star Award - Jennifer Decilveo presented by FLETCHER

This award is presented to an unstoppable force: a top-tier producer whose commitment to excellence and skillset knows no bounds. They are a catalyst, influencing and enhancing the work of a wide array of artists across various genres and disciplines. Jennifer’s credits include: Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, Andra Day, FLETCHER, Galantis.

The Transformer Award — Michael Goldstone, Founder/Owner at Mom+Pop Music presented by Emily Lazar

This award celebrates an individual who is a true changemaker—a leader who not only talks the talk, but walks the walk. This champion uplifts equity across their work through direct action such as hiring, and inspires the music community to lead by doing.

The Equalizer Award — Christine Thomas and Dolby Laboratories

Presented by Emily Lazar

Presented to a company or group that is at the forefront of innovation in the recording industry. This award acknowledges an industry leader who pioneers change through their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and belonging.

Resonator Hall of Fame

Marcella Araica

Lenise Bent

Claudia Brant

Lynne Earls

Leslie Ann Jones

Alicia Keys

Ann Mincieli

Linda Perry

Angela Piva

Darcy Proper

Sylvia Robinson (In Memoriam)

Susan Rogers

Trina Shoemaker

Pat Sullivan

Terri Winston

GRAMMY® Award winner and eight-time nominee, Emily Lazar made history in 2019 as the first female mastering engineer to win the GRAMMY for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical for Beck’s album Colors. She founded We Are Moving the Needle in 2021 to help close the vast gender gap in the recording studio. Last year, the nonprofit organization’s Fix the Mix initiative released its first annual report on gender representation in producing and engineering roles in the recording industry in conjunction with Middle Tennessee State University and Howard University. The study confirmed that women and non-binary people are outnumbered 49:1 by men in technical roles in the recording studio. Since its establishment, We Are Moving The Needle has awarded more than $425,000 in scholarships to women and non-binary talent to attend audio education programs globally. In addition to scholarships, recipients receive support from a WAMTN soundBoard mentor to further guide them in advancing their careers.

About We Are Moving the Needle

We Are Moving The Needle (WAMTN) is a nonprofit organization that is radically reshaping the future of the recording industry. WAMTN works to create inclusive spaces for women and non-binary individuals in music production and technology, and to provide them with the tools and resources they need to succeed in these fields. More information at wearemovingtheneedle.org.