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Women in Music Panel Offer Their Advice for #IWD2016

We asked each member of our International Women’s Day, Women in Music panel for the one piece of advice they would offer women working in the industry.

Published: 16 March 2016 | 12:00 AM Updated: 05 July 2021 | 5:14 PM
Portrait of Rita Ray at Women in Music Panel

We asked each member of our International Women’s Day Women in Music panel for one piece of advice for women working in the industry. Here’s what they had to say…

“Look after each other; it’s not a competition. Speak up and speak out.” – Claire Mooney (songwriter and performer)

“Get on and do it.  No-one owes you a living. If you want to do it, you’ll find a way. Find other women who are doing it and connect with them.” – Rita Ray (writer, composer, DJ)

“Focus on educating people. Find other types of music, music that isn’t as popular and connect with that.” – Sara Lowes (writer and performer)

“If you can’t find it, create it yourself. Most successful women made a point of not settling. Don’t take shit from anyone.” – Rebecca Pickles (vocalist, event manager and one-third of The Pipettes)

“Don’t forget how far we have already come. Don’t limit yourself and do it for you.” – Jote Osahn (violinist, string arranger and composer)

“I’m never going to apologise again. Never apologise for being yourself.” Natalie McCool (singer, songwriter and guitarist)

Catch up with the highlights of our Women In Music panel event, in which Claire, Rita, Sara, Rebecca, Jote and Natalie discuss the challenges facing women in the music industry, and how we can overcome them.

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Two young female street musicians, one playing acoustic guitar and the other an accordian.

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