Music is an integral part of our culture and has the power to bring about change.

Dancer to A&R

I am originally from Palm Springs, CA, and have been residing in LA for nine years since I moved here for college. I initially enrolled in Business School but soon realized it wasn't my calling. I have always been passionate about dance, with experience in various dance styles, including ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, hip-hop, and tap, beginning when I was three. It was then that I discovered my love for music and how it connected with people. Whenever I danced on a team to compete, I always looked to discover new songs and eventually developed a knack for finding unique and undiscovered music. In some ways that is how my A&R journey began. Following my college graduation and a brief internship, I was interviewed by two inspiring women here at Sony Music Publishing (SMP) who later became my mentors. Their vision and values deeply resonated with me, and I was fortunate to receive an offer from them. It was the ideal opportunity because they represented both the songwriter/producer and artist/producer aspects of the industry, which I was interested in. As an A&R at SMP, I have spent the past six years discovering exceptional artists and providing them opportunities to develop and showcase their talents. Starting as an assistant, I worked my way up to coordinator/manager and now hold the position of director.

There are so many new artists waiting to be discovered.

Pursuing Exceptional Music and Narratives

As an A&R, building relationships is crucial because it allows us to connect writers with the community who they want to create their music with. The social aspect is significant, and the ability to relate to those you work with is essential. Trust and instincts also play a vital role in the A&R process. It is a unique job where you make a career by signing musicians and pairing them with the right partners. My day-to-day responsibilities involve arranging sessions for artists to pitch their songs and find suitable homes for them. I also search for sync opportunities and make general connections for the writers. To discover new artists, I frequently use the internet and rely on word of mouth as well. When searching, there is so much that you come across, but I am quite particular about the artists I choose to work with. I have learned that extraordinary songwriting does not necessarily have to align with my taste in music, and look beyond what I instinctively gravitate to. In addition to music that is exceptional, I search for artists with intriguing narratives and backgrounds which pique my interest. SMP has always encouraged me to sign artists who I believe in, even if it goes against the norm. I am grateful to work for a company that trusts me to follow my instincts.

Appreciating Different Tastes and Perspectives

At our company, we prioritize open communication and welcome input from everyone. I used to feel nervous speaking up in meetings because being in front of a group and put on the spot can be intimidating, but we have created an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their ideas, no matter what their roles are. Our team at SMP is quite diverse, which was a big attraction for me when I joined the company. While it has become more common for other companies to prioritize diversity, finding a workplace where females were truly represented was challenging at the time. Working with a group of colleagues who have varied tastes is stimulating and creates a dynamic work environment. Sometimes a co-worker will hesitate to share their work, thinking others might not appreciate it. However, having different perspectives and tastes makes our team unique, and I appreciate and celebrate that. In addition, the dedication and passion displayed by all our teams, from A&R to administration, is evident and inspiring, and it translates into the quality of work we provide to our writers.

Supporting Artists who Inspire the World

My biggest source of motivation is being able work with artists and writers who inspire and positively impact people's lives through their music. As a young girl who grew up in the Coachella Valley, I was lucky to have access to so many shows, and it was remarkable to have musicians I admired play in my backyard. I would attend Coachella and dream about the day I would be able to work with artists who were playing on stage.
SMP distinguishes itself from other publishers with our exceptional and diverse services through the wider Sony group. Many artists are equally passionate about music, gaming, and movies, and allowing access to abundant resources and creating opportunities is a compelling advantage. Our extensive network of offices ensures that writers can easily connect with Sony resources no matter where they are. Collaborating with artists who are pushing the boundaries and making a difference is a dream come true for me. It is a privilege to be in a position where I can guide and support creatives in their journey towards success.