Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Vanessa “Ms Vame” Neves-Jackson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Vanessa, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
ComposeHer exists because the music industry still isn’t necessarily built for us – women behind the scenes. As a music producer and engineer myself of 15 years, starting when I was just 18 right out of high school, I’ve personally seen how women in roles like production, engineering (mix, recording, live), DJing, and more are overlooked, outnumbered, how many are nervous to speak up, ask questions, or don’t know where to turn for guidance. They don’t have the resources to learn the skills they might be interested in or polish up and develop the skills they do have. It’s definitely not a lack of talent – it’s a lack of access, representation, relationship and community. I created ComposeHer as a platform designed for women – whether you’re just starting out in a music career, questioning if the path is for you, or a seasoned vet. Our platform connects producers, engineers, songwriters, djs, A&Rs, managers, and more to industry professionals, making mentorship, collaboration and growth more accessible. The goal isn’t just to increase our numbers in the studio, on albums or in sync placements. It’s to make sure we have a seat at the table, someone already in the room to open the door and vouch for others, the resources to thrive, and a network that genuinely supports our success. This mission is so personal to me because I know what it’s like to navigate this industry alone, without the right connections. I don’t want the next generation of women to face some of those same roadblocks. ComposeHer and I are here to change that.
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?
I’m Vanessa, also known as “Ms Vame” or just “Vame” (rhymes with game or fame). God has been the foundation of my life, guiding my journey and blessing me with the gift of creating music and fueling my passion for the industry. Growing up, music was always around me—whether it was my mom, grandma, uncles, or friends introducing me to a wide range of genres: R&B, gospel, hip-hop, oldies, smooth jazz, musicals, pop, rock, rap, and everything in between.
At 14, I taught myself to play guitar by ear, and by the next year, I was learning to read TABs on bass. In my senior year of high school (2010), I started making beats on my grandma’s Walmart Casio keyboard, recording them, and sending them to my mom under the title “For Your Ears Only.” What I didn’t know was that she had shared them with Joe Archie, our church’s music director—who also happened to be a Grammy-winning producer.
After listening to my (admittedly rough) beats, Joe told my mom, “She has an ear for drums. I want to show her how to produce.” That summer, he introduced me to music production, starting with GarageBand—teaching me how to use a metronome, select sounds, and count bars. He even gave me my first Mac laptop to take home and explore production on my own. My career officially began under Joe’s mentorship, where I developed my production skills and discovered my love for creating music.
Determined to refine my craft, I studied recording, live and mix engineering at American River College under Kirt Shearer, where I gained technical expertise in studio and live sound recording. These formative experiences set the stage for a 15-year career dedicated to producing, engineering, and empowering others in music.
After completing a studio and producer internship at Icon Studios in Atlanta, GA, I returned to Sacramento, where I became the Live Sound Engineer at The Rink Studios and the in-house producer/engineer at The Spot-Xclusive Studios. These roles allowed me to master live sound and studio operations. My work with artists like Kali Claire, Pendrick, Janelle Mack, Fly Wizzy and Lyrical Mar expanded my versatility and deepened my understanding of the creative process.
Currently, I serve as the Stage Manager and Front-of-House (FOH) Engineer for the Hard Rock Live Sound Stage inside the Audacy Sacramento/Roseville radio station. Through this role, I’ve engineered for AWOLNATION, Tim Montana, Good Neighbors, and Almost Monday—further sharpening my ability to manage live sound for major performances.
In 2022, I joined Timbaland’s Beatclub, a pivotal step in my career. As a Beatclub member, I secured two placements in an upcoming 2025-2026 Paramount Plus project, earning my first major producer credits. This achievement reinforced my commitment to pursuing excellence and exploring new avenues in the music industry. My dedication to growth continued in the summer of 2024, when I began interning with Gilde Flores at Paint the Noise, a renowned music production company specializing in sync licensing. This experience has sharpened my production skills and introduced me to the fast-paced world of sync.
Throughout my career, I’ve also had the privilege of releasing three instrumental albums on major platforms, an experience that taught me the end-to-end process of music release—from creating album artwork to marketing and managing administrative tasks. My journey has been enriched by mentorship from respected industry professionals, including Timbaland, Gilde Flores, Kimberly “Kaydence” Krysiuk, Joe Archie, and others, whose guidance has been instrumental in shaping my growth as a producer.
Beyond my work as a producer and engineer, I’ve always been passionate about creating opportunities for women in music. In the fall of 2024, I founded ComposeHer, a platform designed to connect and empower women behind the scenes in the music industry. I also launched Pens & Productions, a songwriting and production camp based in Sacramento that provides real opportunities for placements and collaboration.
What I Offer & What Sets Me Apart
I provide custom music production across R&B, hip-hop, and pop, working on singles, EPs, and full albums, as well as music for sync licensing (tv, commercials, film video games). I recently signed with Sync or Stream, and my music will now be part of their catalog. In addition, I offer recording and mixing services at CitySound SoundByte Studios on X Street in Midtown Sacramento.
One of my strengths is helping artists bring their vision to life. I take a strategic, hands-on approach to planning projects, ensuring that the final product aligns with the artist’s creative direction. My passion for this industry sets me apart—I’ve never quit, no matter what. I’m highly professional but also super fun to create with, and I prioritize making every session and studio space a safe environment, especially for women.
And through it all, one of the most special moments of my life was meeting my best friend and now wife, Jeri. We first crossed paths in 2019 while working at what was then Entercom Sacramento Radio, and that connection grew into a partnership that means everything to me. Music brought us together, and now, we continue to build a life filled with love, creativity, and purpose.
What I’m Most Proud Of
Creating ComposeHer and actively mentoring women in music
Developing an amazing creative partnership with producer and engineer Evette.Wav
Meeting Timbaland—and knowing that he knows who I am! (Still surreal, haha!)
Never quitting, despite every challenge along the way
My goal has always been to leave a lasting impact—one that helps open doors, amplify voices, and ensure that more women are recognized for their contributions to music. Whether I’m producing, mentoring, or engineering, I’m here to help others succeed while continuing to grow in my own journey.
Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?
For ComposeHer, I’m still personally investing my own capital to bring this vision to life. Right now, I’m actively looking for an investor, donations, or sponsors to support our growth. ([email protected])
One of my biggest efforts so far has been curating ComposeHer’s first major event—Plugged In, happening on April 19th. This panel and networking event will bring together women behind the scenes in the music industry, including producers, engineers, songwriters, DJs, A&Rs, and managers. It’s all about creating real connections, sharing knowledge, and breaking down barriers for women in music.
I’ve been putting this together entirely on my own—from booking and paying for the venue, securing panelists, creating all the marketing and promotional materials, and handling every detail along the way. And trust me, it’s not easy doing all of this while bringing in income from a very part-time job. But I believe in this platform, and I know the work I’m putting in now will pay off in the long run.
One thing I will say: don’t let not having capital stop you. Do the thing. Ask for help. Build it yourself. Be resourceful, reach out to your network, and don’t be afraid to take risks. Money—or the lack of it—should never be the reason you don’t pursue what you’re passionate about.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
From 2022 to 2024, I worked a 6 AM–3 PM inside sales job, making a decent amount of money. I was good at it—a little too good—but the stress from the toxic work environment and the crazy workload was becoming unbearable. I started experiencing severe anxiety and depression, and before I knew it, I was having heart palpitations without understanding why.
After a particularly dark mental health scare, I went to my manager and asked if he could lighten my workload by reassigning some of my accounts. His response? “You know, I think when you get your commission from this new comp plan, it will be worth it. I think you’ll be fine.”
A few months went by, and I was not fine. The stress, the toxic work office and people in it, the workload, the depression, the anxiety—it all piled up, and the palpitations became more frequent. I went to my doctor, underwent multiple tests, and wore a portable heart monitor for seven days. The results confirmed what I already knew deep down: work-related stress was the cause.
I had to leave that place.
I took a two-month medical leave, and almost immediately, the palpitations disappeared. When it was time to return, I made the incredibly hard decision—alongside my wife—to quit. It was a major financial risk, but it was the only way to protect my health and well-being.
At the end of 2024, I accepted a part-time job at Audacy, where I’m now the FOH Engineer and Stage Manager for the Sound Stages. This shift gave me something invaluable: time. Time to fully commit to my career as a music producer and to build ComposeHer into what I know it can be.
It’s been an uphill struggle financially, but for the first time in a long time, I’m healthy, happy, and doing what I love—in a way that finally feels right.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://bit.ly/41DULfp
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msvameproductions/
- Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-neves-jackson
- Other: * ComposeHer IG: https://www.instagram.com/composeher.app?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
* Tickets for the ComposeHer Panel: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/composeher-plugged-in-a-panel-networking-experience-tickets-1254097783229?aff=oddtdtcreator
Image Credits
Studio Shots by Sandra Velasquez (@sv.photography_)