By student writer Elyse Cano

Allies+ in Music will host its first informational Zoom meeting at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9. This is the first year Allies+ in Music club will take place. The organization aims to empower LGBTQ+ musicians along with self-identifying women through music. In these meetings, attendees will learn how to become a better ally for the LGBTQ+ community and learn how to handle injustice within music. Attendees will also have the opportunity to collaborate with Composers from different marginalized communities through a Chamber Music Series.

"For my fellow women and LGBTQ+ colleagues, I hope that they can take away that their musicianship matters and they are valid musicians. And for everyone else that joins the organization, I hope they can take away how to be a good ally, how to be respectful, and also just how to kind of push away internalized homophobia and internalized misogyny. Just do anything that you can to better the road for the next generation," said Bailey Ross, founder and president of Allies+ in Music.

The organization will meet throughout the school year and host several events for members to learn more about the LGBTQ+ community and women in music.