WMN Sessions with Grace Weber: Advancing Global Gender Equity Through Music & Technology

WMN Sessions with Grace Weber | Gender Equity in Music & Technology

Last October, We Make Noise closed out a powerful year of programming with a transformative edition of the WMN Sessions in Fort Collins, Colorado, featuring Grammy-winning artist Grace Weber. Hosted at The Music District, the three-day songwriting and music production intensive brought together 27 women, trans and gender-expansive creators from 13 cities around the world.

For many participants, this experience went far beyond a traditional songwriting camp. It became a space of safety, belonging, confidence-building, and artistic liberation.

Three Days. Twenty Original Songs. Limitless Creative Impact

Throughout the Sessions, participants co-wrote 20 original songs in groups of 3–4 creators, weaving diverse identities, stories, and sonic perspectives into each piece. Grace Weber’s openness, generosity, and vulnerability set the tone for a collaborative environment where creative risks were not only encouraged—but celebrated.

In a powerful validation of the artistic level achieved, nearly every song was selected by Grace for further development and potential release, offering rare professional pathways for emerging voices often overlooked by the mainstream music industry.

Global Impact by the Numbers

This year’s cohort reflects the true scale of the program’s reach:

• 62% LGBTQ+ artists

• 100% women, trans and gender-expansive creators

• 170,000+ global social media reach

• 23 songs currently under artist consideration

• 27 participants from 13 international cities

  
  

By design, the We Make Noise Sessions center underrepresented creatives while actively reshaping the future of the global music ecosystem.

“I have never felt so seen. Being surrounded by non-men in the music space has been life changing—my confidence skyrocketed. I felt safe to make mistakes, heard in every room, and deeply supported. I was terrified to share my songs because I had never produced anything beyond myself, but the kindness I received made me cry. I will absolutely apply again.” — Mae Hunniford

About Grace Weber: Artist, Mentor & Advocate for Equity

Born and raised in Milwaukee, Grace Weber has built a career spanning iconic stages and collaborations, including the Apollo Theater, the Oprah Winfrey Show, and projects with Chance the Rapper, Vic Mensa, PJ Morton, Jean Deaux, and more.

She earned her first Grammy Award for co-writing All We Got, the opening track of Chance the Rapper’s Coloring Book. Her artistic excellence and commitment to inclusive creative spaces made her the ideal collaborator for the WMN Sessions.

Powered by Community: Program Partners

The 2025 WMN Sessions were made possible through strategic partnerships with organizations aligned with our equity-driven mission:

The Music District — Fort Collins, Colorado

A state-of-the-art creative hub for musicians and industry professionals, featuring rehearsal rooms, production studios, professional-grade gear, and artist development programs. This marks the third consecutive year that The Music District has hosted WMN Sessions.

Keychange U.S.

A global movement advancing gender equity in the music industry through mentorship, professional development, and international career opportunities. Five artists from the 2025 Keychange Talent Development Program participated in this year’s Sessions.

Moleskine

The iconic creative platform that supported participants with tools to capture ideas, lyrics, and reflections throughout the retreat—fueling the entire creative process from first spark to final song.

Changing the Music Industry, One Song at a Time

We Make Noise exists to close the gender gap in music by building real opportunities centered on marginalized voices. The 2025 Fort Collins WMN Sessions with Grace Weber exemplified that mission at every level.

With new songs in development, careers accelerated, and a powerful global community strengthened, these Sessions represent another concrete step toward a music industry where gender equity is not an aspiration—it is a reality in motion.

Thank you to our partners, participants, supporters, and to Grace Weber for helping bring this vision to life.

👉 Learn more about upcoming Sessions at we-make-noise.org/sessions