Championing its mission of celebrating and empowering the music community, the Recording Academy is proud to welcome its new membership class for 2022. The Academy's latest class, which is composed of nearly 2,000 music professionals, marks another step toward supporting diverse voices in the music industry.
The 2022 New Member Class marks four years since the Recording Academy transitioned to a community-driven and peer-reviewed annual cycle to create a more diverse and engaged membership base representative of the evolving musical landscape. This new model, first implemented in 2019, has already produced positive results: The number of women members, as well as people from traditionally underrepresented communities, has increased by 19% and 38%, respectively. Of the 2022 New Member Class, 44% are from traditionally underrepresented communities; 32% are women; and 16% are nonbinary individuals or opted not to disclose how they identify. Learn more about the complete statistics surrounding the demographics of the Recording Academy's 2022 New Member Class.
In its ongoing prioritization of diversity, equity and inclusion, the Recording Academy continues to build and uphold spaces honoring service to and creativity in music and culture. The Academy's 2022 New Member Class, which welcomes music industry leaders ranging from artists to directors to publicists, dedicates itself to supporting the future of the music community.
To celebrate the 2022 New Member Class, GRAMMY.com is highlighting 21 new, enterprising professional members of the Recording Academy to learn more about what inspired them to join the organization.
*Patrick Buchta. Photo: Todd Wolfson*
What inspired you to become a Recording Academy member?
Patrick Buchta | CEO, Austin Texas Musicians
I've been inspired by the Recording Academy's long-standing commitment to championing the rights of artists. As host to a nationwide community of musicians, membership presents endless opportunities to elevate one's career.
Bianca Marie Champagne | Vice President, Top Stop Music
What inspired me to become a Recording Academy member is the fact that they are such a prestigious and well-rounded organization — an organization that also takes the time to keep giving back to new generations. The Recording Academy is an organization that the industry and the world take very seriously and believe in them. I want to continue working together with the organization to give back to the generations to come.
Stephanie Guerrero | Founder/CEO, Goat for Mars, LLC
I was a GRAMMY U member as a college student and have worked in the music industry ever since I graduated. I have actually become close to my local Chapter members who encouraged me to join since they saw my work in the Web3 space and also with diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Byron Wright | Executive Director, Creative-Atlanta, BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.)
I just felt the need to get involved and become active, especially here in my hometown of Atlanta. I want to be a part of helping the next generation of creatives and execs reach their goals just as I have done.
Connect with Byron on Instagram.
What are you most looking forward to doing as a member of the Recording Academy and why?
Jesus Gonzales | Vice President, Creative — Latin, BMI
I'm most looking forward to joining the leading community of music professionals and doing just that … building the community.
Jacqueline Lee Mackey | Special Projects Manager, Juice Consulting
As an official Recording Academy member, I look forward to exploring how I can connect with, educate and advocate for a vibrant and healthy music community. Music plays an integral part in fostering creativity, and I want to do my part to ensure that everyone that loves music has the support and space to create.
Connect with Jacqueline on Instagram.
*Jesus Trivino. Photo: Eric Espino*
Jesus Trivino | Senior Director, Global Latin, TIDAL
I'm looking forward to being part of the change the Academy has enacted in the past few years. With my years of expertise in multicultural media, I'm bringing my sixth sense of talent finding to the Academy. Keep your ears open — there is so much more talent than you think. You just have to listen. Cheers to more inclusion, more diversity, more of everything.
Connect with Jesus on Instagram.
Rachel Wein | A&R Manager, Prescription Songs
While it is a massive honor to be included in the Recording Academy amongst legendary creatives, I am genuinely most excited to connect with other new members of this year's incoming class. I always advise my songwriters, "Don't just look up and down when forming new connections; look left and right." I hope my peers and I can challenge each other, grow with one another, and ultimately bring fresh perspectives to an already incredible organization.
Connect with Rachel on Instagram.
*Patsy Dolan Bouressa. Photo: Todd Wolfson*
What does being a member of the Recording Academy mean to you?
Patsy Dolan Bouressa | Executive Director, SIMS Foundation
I consider this membership an opportunity to lend my voice as a behavioral healthcare professional to educate the community about behavioral healthcare issues and to break down the stigma associated with these issues that often keep people suffering in silence.
Dr. Glyne A. Griffith II | Senior Manager, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, SiriusXM/Pandora/Stitcher
It means everything. I am beyond thrilled to be a member of the Recording Academy. Music has been a consistent theme throughout my entire life. I have experience in various aspects of the music industry, including performance as a musician and a vocalist, songwriting, performing rights, artist management, PR, production, distribution, and label operations. My doctoral dissertation was even rooted in the music industry. I love the music industry and believe in the power of music to inspire, educate, unify, heal, and entertain. Being a member of this extraordinary community of music enthusiasts and advocates is truly an honor.
Connect with Glyne on Linkedin.
Stephanie Hernandez | Director of Marketing and Communications, Frost School of Music
I know how important representation is. As a woman and a Latina, I can say that seeing others who look like us makes a difference and is already a huge step in the right direction. Becoming a member of the Recording Academy is a great honor and a great responsibility for me. It means everything to join this music community and continue supporting those underrepresented communities, showing that it is possible for them, too, to have a voice.
Connect with Stephanie on Instagram.
Macy Schmidt | Orchestrator, Music Director, and Founder/CEO, The Broadway Sinfonietta
To me, being a member of the Recording Academy means recognizing each of our roles in the greater music community —remembering that we are each a small part of a greater whole.
Connect with Macy on Instagram.
Doug Hall | Founder/CEO, Publicist, Big Feat PR
It is a chance to advocate for musicians and effect positive change within the music industry and be a part of the biggest conversations in music.
Why is being a Recording Academy member important?
Omar E. Lozano | Director of Music Marketing, Visit Austin
The Recording Academy has long been the gold standard for recorded music, and in seeing the great changes within the organization and diverse leadership, I know the Academy will continue this mission in supporting creators, musicians and music professionals.
*Kim Noltemy. Photo: Sylvia Elzafon*
Kim Noltemy | Ross Perot President & CEO, Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Being a member provides music industry members the opportunity to influence the landscape of recorded music, and that landscape is changing every day. Members have access to thought leaders and can discuss and recommend ways for recorded music to continue to be part of people's daily lives.
Connect with Kim on Instagram.
Stephanie Valcarcel | President, Tribl Records & Maverick City Music/a
As the first Latin American woman to serve as the president of a gender-blending, inspirational music label, my mission is to continuously drive collaboration among genres that transcends language and culture and gives a voice to an oftentimes underrepresented genre. It was important for me to join the Academy and continue to do that here.
How are you going to drive progress at the Recording Academy?
Sarah Avrin | Vice President, Media Relations – Girlie Action Media
There is always room for improvement, education and growth. Joining the Recording Academy is exciting to me because I can help push along positive change and opportunities to the overlooked.
Lucas Canzona | CEO, Fairwin
Change begins from within; listening, learning, and moving methodically will allow us to shape a modern organization that represents the true industry.
I’m honored to be part of the new @RecordingAcad member class and join the countless creators and professionals who serve, celebrate, and advocate for our music community year-round. #IAmTheAcademy @RecordingAcad pic.twitter.com/fzMsJ2XxmQ
— SUPA CINDY (@SUPACINDY) June 29, 2022
Cindy Doucet aka "Supa Cindy" | Media Personality - 99 Jamz / Cin D. Media
I am going to drive change by speaking out about the great things that the Recording Academy is involved with and to let the artists that always talk about the GRAMMYs but are not involved, get involved!
John Gomez | Talent / Entrepreneurial Manager for talent in Sport, Entertainment, Music and Drama - Gomez or Go Home Entertainment
Having been in the entertainment industry for over 25 years, working with rock and roll hall of famers, GRAMMY winners, many multiplatinum-selling artists in various genres, and professional athletes, I've acquired a vast knowledge of how this industry ticks. I'd like to help inspire and empower the next generation of entertainment industry professionals and help to create a supportive community for all creators in music and entertainment, providing the tools, knowledge and support to further their careers.
Muy feliz de compartirles oficialmente que soy parte de la clase 2022 de nuevos miembros de la @RecordingAcad. A partir de este año como nuevos miembros serviremos, celebraremos y seremos defensores de nuestra comunidad. #YoSoyLaAcademia #IAmTheAcademy pic.twitter.com/u3EF6aursM
— Marysabel Huston 🎙 (@hustonmarysabel) June 28, 2022
Marysabel Elena Huston-Crespo | Producer/Writer at CNNE.com, Co-host/Co-producer at CNN en Español's Zona Pop CNN
I hope I'm able to inspire fellow Latinx music journalists to join the Academy and to understand the importance of taking up spaces and being represented.
