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By Lena Moreno, April 18, 2025
“We must say their names, we must sing their songs, making sure freedom, does in fact ring,” said Ernest Harrison, assistant professor of music and voice area coordinator before the start of the “I’m With Her: The Music of Boundary Breaking Women” recital. “We must let all women sing. As musicians, educators, performers and audience members, we are the keepers of these songs.”
Billboard Magazine revealed 49% of female artists in the music industry have experienced gender discrimination. The “I’m With Her” recital shed light on the matter, showcasing women who have testified these boundaries across varied musical genres and eras.
Held at the Recital Hall April 9, friends and family joined together for a night of women empowerment reflected in music. The recital, presented by Cal Poly Pomona’s Music Department and coordinated by Harrison, promised a show filled with a powerful repertoire highlighting the groundbreaking achievements of female musicians.
With a stacked program featuring some of the most notable female figures in music such as Alicia Keys, Joni Mitchell and others, the night featured iconic tracks for everyone to enjoy.
One audience favorite included student performer John Stowbridge’s cover of “Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry, audience members clapped in unison with the hit-pop culture classic.
“Being able to perform music by boundary-breaking women is all about celebrating their courage and creativity,” said Elizabeth Aguilar, a third-year music industry studies student who covered “My Future” by Billie Eilish in the recital.
Harrison emphasized the importance of amplifying women’s voices because they don’t receive enough credit for shaping our current musical landscape.
Students performed a total of 24 covers such as “Songbird” by Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac, along with many female-composed and written songs by students in the music department. A selection of covers accompanied by staff/collaborative pianist Iris Shiotsuki and voice coordinator Kendra Vuk on piano were also in the recital.
Out of the 24 songs, the diverse repertoire featured three songs in languages other than English, including German and Portuguese. Many of the covers consisted of songs from four Broadway musicals: “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” “Little Women” and “Waitress,” all with elements of pop, classic ballads and jazz.
Joel Ajin-Rivera’s cover of Mariah Carey’s “My All” thrilled the audience with his Spanish rendition incorporated near the end of the song. Riane Ferras’ wistful cover of “Linger” by The Cranberries displayed her multi-talented capabilities as she sang while playing the guitar.
Songs by the most featured female artists sung that night were from Adele and Beyoncé, featuring “Rolling in the Deep,” “Someone Like You,” “Turning Tables,” “DAUGHTER,” “Bills, Bills, Bills” (from Destiny’s Child) and “If I Were a Boy.”
The performers said they hoped the songs selection aided the audience in acknowledging and valuing the vital role women hold in music history.
“Every piece of music has a story, and it’s a personal journey about someone,” said Jacob Rodriguez, a third-year music industry studies student. “So, I hope the audience understands that this is a personal journey from a woman’s perspective.”
Feature image courtesy of Lena Moreno
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