This interview is part of our month long collaboration with Gender Amplified, highlighting some of the dynamic members of their community. 

Tell us a little bit about what you do professionally, and who you are as a person.

I’m a music producer, audio engineer, and creative with a deep love for storytelling through sound. I founded Gender Amplified, an organization dedicated to celebrating and empowering women and nonbinary producers. Beyond the studio, I’m someone who values stillness, reflection, and purpose—I’m passionate about community-building, animal rescue, and using my creativity to make space for others. I’m curious by nature, grounded in faith, Christian, and always thinking about the best ways I can impact humanity while I’m here.

What’s a non-conventional phrasing to explain what you do? 

I like to think of myself as an audio evangelist—someone who not only creates sound but spreads the good news about what sound can do. If I were explaining it to a child, I’d say, “I help people find their voice and make it loud enough for the world to hear, like magic with buttons and beats.”

Is there something that you read, watched, or listened to that changed your approach to your music?

Reading This Is Your Brain on Music by Daniel Levitin completely reframed how I think about sound. It connected the science of how we process music with the emotional and cultural impact it has, which deepened my understanding of both my craft and my audience. It reminded me that music isn’t just art—it’s biology, memory, and storytelling all at once.

What’s your advice to rising producers or engineers who are trying to grow their skills?

Be a student of sound. Don’t rush the process—learn how to listen deeply, ask questions, and be willing to sit in the unknown. Find mentors, but also find peers. And always remember: your ears are your most important tool. Protect them, trust them, and let them guide you.

Are there any unexpected lessons you learned while building the Gender Amplified community?

I learned that building community isn’t just about creating space—it’s about holding space. That means consistency, empathy, and being deeply present even when it’s not convenient. It also taught me that you don’t need a massive platform to make a powerful impact—just clear intentions and people who believe.

Are there any ways that the community has grown or changed that you wouldn’t have expected during its earliest days?

Yes. What began as a campus event has now become a global movement. I didn’t expect the phrase “Gender Amplified” to become part of the lexicon for gender equity in music production. Seeing people all over the world use it to describe their own creative identities is something I never could’ve predicted.

What’s your advice for someone seeking out community within the music industry and unsure where to turn or how to start meeting people?

Start with one connection. One person who inspires you or shares your values. Reach out, offer something, or just ask questions. Community isn’t always built in big rooms—it often begins in small, intentional moments of shared purpose.

What’s something happening in the music industry at large that makes you feel hopeful or inspired?

I’m inspired by the decentralization of gatekeepers. Artists and producers now have more tools to build careers outside traditional systems. There’s also a growing hunger for authenticity—people want real stories, real sound, and real connections. That gives me hope.

Who’s someone you admire? 

I deeply admire Berry Gordy. He’s a visionary who built an empire with Motown, not just shaping the sound of a generation but creating a blueprint for Black entrepreneurship in music. His ability to balance creativity with business, and to cultivate talent while building community, reminds me that leadership is about vision, discipline, and belief in something bigger than yourself.

Who’s an artist you’re excited about right now?

I’m really excited about Tyla and what she’s stepping into. She’s bringing something fresh and global to the scene, blending pop, R&B, and amapiano in a way that feels effortless and forward-thinking. There’s a star quality to her, but also a sense that she’s just getting started—which makes it even more exciting to see where she’ll go next.

Can you describe a project that was a personally significant experience for you?

A year ago, I worked on a compilation project called On Imagination, where I brought together several incredible artists, including some notable names. It was a creatively rich experience that reminded me of the power of collaboration and the importance of trusting the process. That project deepened my clarity around the kind of work I want to lead and affirmed my commitment to building with intention and purpose.

What’s coming up for Gender Amplified?

We’re also releasing new music through our distribution partner ADA, which marks an exciting step in sharing original work from the community. It’s a powerful new chapter, and I’m looking forward to how we continue to evolve and amplify producers across every corner of the industry.

Keep up with Ebonie:

https://eboniesmith.com/

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.

Learn more here.

Follow: https://www.instagram.com/genderamplified/