The She Rocks Awards concludes another incredible year of honoring groundbreaking women and innovators from across the music and audio industries with NAMM as the presenting partner.
The night started with an incredible performance by PRS Guitars artist Shantaia, followed by opening remarks from Women’s International Music Network and She Rocks Awards founder Laura Whitmore, which included acknowledging those affected by the recent Los Angeles fires. The show teamed up with NAMM’s Wildfire Relief Fund to collect donations at the event. The show also featured an exceptional performance of former honoree Starr Parodi and her daughter Isolde Maria Parodi Fair, who had just lost their family home in the fires in Pacific Palisades. Parodi was presented with a new She Rocks award to replace the one lost in the fires, and the two performed a mash-up of Fair’s song “Time Traveller” and Mama’s and Papa’s “California Dreaming.”
The She Rocks Awards have built a reputation for honoring women from all corners of the industry and genres, recognizing legends and up-and-comers. Honoree Alecia “Mixi” Demner of Stitched up Heart commented that this award was the first the band had received in their 15 years together, leading to a fiery performance where she was seen singing on tables in the crowd. Grammy winner and 2025 She Rocks Award Icon honoree Paula Cole moved the crowd with a stripped-down piano version of the multi-platinum-selling “I Don’t Wanna Wait.” In her profound acceptance speech, she spoke about the challenges of living the life of an artist and how, after seeing what she called an epidemic of low self-confidence in young women in the years she spent as a professor, she has now dedicated her life to empowering her girls and young women. She challenged the crowd to envision a world where girls are “shooting their hands up to ask the questions, express large opinions and taking their seat at the proverbial table, rocking boats and confidently ascending into leadership.”
Honoree Amanda Palmer gave a stunning speech about the power of volume in female voices, both loud and soft and the “freedom to be heard at any volume.” She also went to thank the female executives in the room who made gear and instruments that helped to amplify female voices. Her acceptance speech was followed by a moving performance of her powerful song “Voicemail for Jill.” Honorees from the C-Suite, such as Gibson Guitars CMO Beth Heidt and Chairman, President, and CEO of Shure Inc., Chris Schyvinck, spoke on the importance of mentorship and giving access to women in their speeches.
The night was rounded out by incredible performances by AIJIA, who performed with her husband, multi-platinum-selling artist Andy Grammer, and Lindsey Stirling, who was joined by up-and-coming violinist Christa. The night concluded with a bombastic performance by honorees Samantha Fish to close the night.
The full show can be viewed on the Women’s International Music Network YouTube channel.
Left to Right: AIJIA, Amanda Palmer, Laura Whitmore, Jennifer Batten, Lindsey Stirling, Shantaia, Paula Cole, Alecia “Mixi” Demner of Stitched Up Heart, Samantha Fish, Theresa Hoffman, Rozanna Weinberger, Nurit Siegel Smith, Katie Daryl, Chris Schyvinck, Beth Heidt,
