To celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day, we are sharing the narratives of three female Music Production students: Polly Pitchforth, Jess Charney, and Lillie Charters. Their accounts serve to raise awareness, celebrate resilience, and contribute to a more inclusive and equitable environment at Leeds Conservatoire.
We recently engaged in discussions with students from the School of Music Production and Events to explore their experiences as women on the Music Production courses. These interviews (which will be published on our YouTube channel) aim to explore the distinct challenges in pursuing production as a woman and the reality faced by women in a male-dominated field. By sharing their authentic experiences, they provide valuable insights that will inspire and empower prospective students to feel confident and welcome at Leeds Conservatoire.
Polly Pitchforth
Polly Pitchforth, a first-year Music Production student, is one of eight female students enrolled on the course. She asserts that she has not experienced any discrimination due to her gender, but she has emphasised the need for the industry as a whole to acknowledge and celebrate female music producers more. While there have been notable achievements, such as PinkPantheress’s award as Producer of the Year at the Brit Awards, there remains a significant gap to be bridged. Polly was a recipient of The Leverhulme Trust Arts Scholarship, a scholarship that prioritises women enrolled on the Music Production course. This scholarship has enabled her to reside in Leeds during her studies, which she greatly appreciates.
Jess Charney
Jess Charney, a second-year Electronic Music Production student, shares her experience as a Hard Techno DJ and the sole female member of her course. She derives empowerment from being the only woman on her course, as male colleagues frequently seek her opinion and perspective on matters. Jess draws inspiration from esteemed female DJs in the industry, such as Sarah Landry and Cloudy. She underscores that “being authentic and being yourself is one of the most preached things in the industry” which motivates her to pursue her artistic endeavours.
Lillie Charters
Third-year Music Production student, Lillie Charters, shares her experience as a Course Representative and the diverse roles she assumes in creating her music. Lillie aspires to an equitable representation of male and female music producers, acknowledging the limited opportunities available for this. Originating from a school where music was not an integral component of her curriculum, she encountered challenges in convincing herself to pursue Music Production at a Higher Education level and recognising its status as a reputable career path. Currently, Jess independently writes, produces, releases, and performs her music, possessing all the skills she has acquired at Leeds Conservatoire.
