We recently connected with Miz Stefani and have shared our conversation below.

Miz, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

While I’ve been lucky enough to work on several meaningful projects within arts and activism, my current project, Women in Memphis Music, is a meaningful project.
When I came to Memphis in 2020, I’d go to venues and see their monthly line-ups and noted there weren’t as many women on the calendar as there should be, especially since I was meeting SO MANY female musicians as I started making my way here. I had an idea to create a showcase and we would book local female talent, and that was the beginning of “Women in Memphis Music.” The planning stages were really just putting together a list of all the female artists I knew of and then it just grew from there. We booked our venue for monthly showcases, and it was ON! We were lucky to get coverage from local tv stations and put our social media together and started building our foundation. I had prior experience with live-streamed shows and curating events, so I used that format to get things rolling and that was that, we began! The fun part is as it grows, you can come up with an idea and execute it when you have vision and drive. I live by a quote from Arthur Ashe, “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” That, plus consistency, have proved to be working. The proof is in the comments and reassurance and gratefulness I get back to know it’s having an impact. And for that, I am extremely grateful!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

For those that don’t know me (yet! & I imagine that’s every person reading this interview lol) Hi! I am MizStefani. A vocalist, performer, producer, and gluten-free baker.
I was singing before I could speak and sang and performed all through school culminating with a degree in Vocal Performance, Opera & Classical Music. (tho rock and roll was long in my soul!) Like many people I had my sights set on the big city and in February 2000, I made the move to New York City. I didn’t know a soul there so everything I did or experienced was on me, luck, and divine timing. By 2001, I was working in the music industry at a record label and performing on the side. That would be my NY life for most of my time in the city. There were about 2 years where I supported myself solely on my music and baking skills that I am very proud of but, my need for travel and health insurance seemed to always get the better of me and I did my corporate time. I didn’t mind though because I gained skills that translate into my creative life and vice versa, many of my creative skills have always gone into my professional life. In some instances, it has actually been to my advantage to have a background on both sides because I can relate to the artists and the “suits.” I like to think it makes me well-rounded.
When I got to Memphis, it was a whole other world from NYC. I felt things I wanted to do were a bit more accessible here and I could delve into my passions a little easier and more frequently than in NY.
Currently, I find balance in doing loads of things I love.
As a singer/songwriter, I perform locally and regionally with my band and through a talent agency I am signed with. I am going to release a new album this year and it is a work-in-progress that I am extremely excited about!
As a gluten-free baker, I am constantly baking and experimenting with recipes and working towards building my company (OMG-F) to a larger scale.
Through “Women in Memphis Music” our monthly showcases are going strong! One of the things I am most proud of is, I like to book two acts that are different genres. I like to cross-pollinate so women who would likely never meet or cross paths here, do. So far, it’s been a success because it’s not about the differences, we’re women, we can relate to each other regardless. I like to think I am building a stronger community AND for someone who doesn’t know where to turn or where to start here in Memphis, it’s a resource and performance opportunity for them. Aside from the showcases, we host; informational sessions, happy hours, produced a fully female fronted music festival, vocal workshops, and have a monthly spot (“That Time of the Month” on Radio Memphis, and I have been a judge/critique-r for local songwriter competitions.)

I am available for; gigs, performance opportunities (acting/comedy), creative career consultations, event planning, voice lessons, gluten-free baked goods, and baking/cooking instruction! Please get in touch!

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

There are many things society can do to help out….

Invest in accessible art education for all ages. By creating more community programs and affordable educational opportunities, we can help nurture the next generation of artists, designers, musicians, and creators.

Create more public art spaces for artists to showcase their work — whether through galleries, street art projects, or performance areas — helps create a thriving ecosystem by making art more visible and accessible to everyone. Public art can also engage local communities and foster a sense of shared ownership. In NY one of the things I loved that they did there was put pianos in random places throughout the city.

Encourage collaborative platforms that support collaboration between artists and other sectors like tech, business, or community organizations can lead to innovative and sustainable solutions. This can include shared studio spaces, co-working environments, or artist residencies that provide creative freedom while fostering networking and skill-sharing.

Protect artist rights & fair compensation by doing more to protect intellectual property and ensuring fair pay for artists. Many creators struggle with underpayment or exploitation, so pushing for better contracts and enforcing copyright laws are essential for a healthy creative ecosystem.

Promoting art in public policy could make a significant difference. This could include incorporating art into urban planning, supporting artist-in-residence programs at schools, and providing grants or subsidies for local art initiatives.

Recognize and celebrate creativity in ALL Forms because it’s also about cultural recognition. Celebrating a wider range of creative work, whether that’s through awards, media coverage, or just general public acknowledgment, can go a long way in elevating the value of creative contributions. I think Memphis does a GREAT job with there many cultural festivals, so I hope that continues to grow.

Foster a stronger creative economy by supporting initiatives that connect artists with business opportunities, like creating arts-focused marketplaces or creative incubators, helping establish a more sustainable creative economy. The arts shouldn’t just be seen as a ‘nice to have’ but as a central, integral part of the economy!

Ultimately, it’s about creating a culture where creativity is not only valued but actively supported — financially, structurally, and socially. But really, go to your friends show/events. Buy merch. Support their efforts!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I don’t really know a life not being an artist or creative and I LOVE my life! I mean, sure, there are things I wish I had more or less of but it’s about ebbs and flows. When I look back through my life, I notice so many of the opportunities and experiences that were presented to me were because I was involved in the arts and music and as that blossoms still through my life, I can’t imagine any other way. Daily, I get to express myself in the ways that make me feel fully alive and there is nothing better than that!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mizstefani.com
• Instagram: mizstefani
• Facebook: Miz Stefani
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mizstefani12
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5WjZYKXiicZVQPg25BNjFQ/featured
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/miz-stefani
• Other: https://www.omg-f.com/

Image Credits

Josh Reynolds
Atina Antonovic