This interview is part of our month long collaboration with Gender Amplified, highlighting some of the dynamic members of their community.
Describe who you are and what you do, both professionally, and who you are as a person beyond work:
I’m a music producer from New Jersey with a love for drum programming. For me, music is more than just sound—it’s a gift, and with that gift comes a unique journey and process that shapes you throughout your career and life. Sound and melody have an incredible ability to shift people’s moods and even change their headspace, which is something I am mindful of when I’m creating. Aside from music, I love encouraging and uplifting others. Integrity and character are important to me. One thing a lot of people might not know is that public speaking is another passion of mine.
What’s a non-conventional phrasing or framing to explain what you do?
I like to think of myself as someone who organizes sound. I play the piano to program all these cool sounds, then I record them and arrange them into something that becomes a song. That song then floats out into the world, slipping into people’s daily lives, like a soundtrack they get to live and travel with.
Is there something that you read, watched, or listened to that changed your approach to your craft, job, or to music as a whole?
I truly credit my faith for shaping my approach to production and the journey of my career as it’s evolved. I spend a lot of time listening to sermons, messages, and podcasts that focus on purpose and the idea that nurturing our gifts is part of our diligence. I’ve taken these lessons and applied them to my work, using my faith as a guide to keep pushing myself, sharpening my skills, and investing in my talents. I firmly believe that our gifts are given to us, but it’s our responsibility to nurture and develop them, as they’re meant to help us navigate life.
What’s your advice for a developing producer, working with an artist for the first time?
Your first session is the beginning of building a new relationship. As a producer, I believe it’s crucial to create a space that feels warm, welcoming, and inviting from the jump. The energy you bring will set the tone for everyone in the room. It’s also important to actively listen to what the artist is saying, feeling, and aiming for sonically. Music terminology can mean different things to different people, so it’s key to stay open to their vision while also taking the time to explain how you interpret the sound they’re describing.
What’s something happening in the music industry at large that makes you feel hopeful or inspired?
The fact that there are more organizations now that support and uplift female producers, creating opportunities and fostering community—Gender Amplified, for example. But I also think it’s important to acknowledge the broader shifts happening beyond the music industry. The breakthroughs and increasing visibility of women in sports, for instance, are huge. Seeing that level of exposure, support, and promotion gives me hope for the changes that are continuing to unfold in the music industry as well.
Who’s someone you admire?
Ebonie Smith has had a tremendous impact on me and my career. I’m incredibly grateful for her organization, Gender Amplified, and the opportunities it has opened for me. Her organization has helped my work be recognized on a whole new level and exposed my work to new clientele and outlets. She’s a true example of someone creating real change in the music industry, and she is also incredibly skillful in her craft and musicianship.
Is there a particularly good piece of advice you received early in your career?
There’s a lot of advice that’s stuck with me, but one piece that’s consistently been repeated over the years is: “Work ethic surpasses talent, and what you put in will eventually yield a harvest.”
Can you describe a project you worked on that was personally significant, or you learned a big lesson from?
No matter how you envision your career unfolding, as long as you're actively putting yourself out there, be ready for it to show up in ways you never expected. For a long time, I limited myself by committing solely to one genre as a producer. But just because your career doesn’t look exactly how you imagined it, doesn’t mean you’re not living it out. I had to remind myself that the intent behind my work was for the world to hear it, so it shouldn’t matter what genre I’m working in, as long as my productions are flourishing on various albums and projects at a professional level.
To go a bit deeper, last summer I attended a camp at ASCAP Urban, hosted by Jonathan Jones, where I connected with producer Mark Borino. Up until that point, I had primarily focused on R&B production. That connection led me to explore Latin music production, working on projects for artists from other countries. Eventually, Danelle Cain from ASCAP heard some of the records I contributed to, which opened doors for me to network with new people, including Luis Castro, Creative Director of US Latin & International Affairs for ASCAP.
The moment I stepped into the Latin music scene, my career took a major turn. It elevated me to new heights and introduced me to exciting new circles. I’m sharing this to say that before this, I never imagined myself working in Latin music. Now, I’m having more fun than ever, and I’m witnessing real-time growth in my career.
The lesson for me? Don’t let your vision stay locked into its original form — be open to seeing it expand in ways you never anticipated. Now, I’m more open than ever to exploring genres beyond the one I once focused on. And working in this new genre has completely leveled up my production style and game. It’s some of the work I’m now most proud of.
Anything coming up that you’d like to shout out?
I am extremely excited to be producing for and creating with Dascha Polanco on her upcoming project, as well as artist Lekastro’s project.
Keep up with Melissa:
https://www.instagram.com/toneshiftcollective/
About Gender Amplified:
Founded in 2007 at Barnard College in New York City, Gender Amplified is a non-profit organization that aims to celebrate women and gender-expansive music producers, raise their visibility and develop a pipeline for them to build equity in the music industry.
The movement also connects passion for music with technical skills that can be used in a wide range of scientific and arts based fields, areas in which women are traditionally underrepresented.
Published in
Interview
File under:
Noteworthy
