Spotlight on Tiffany Miranda at the 2025 SONA Warrior Awards

The 5th Annual SONA Warrior Awards were held on October 12, 2025 at the impressive Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. Founder and visionary, Tiffany Miranda, was front and center—not just as a guest but as a trail-blazing honoree whose work is reshaping the music industry landscape.

A Night of Impact and Recognition

From the moment the event began, the atmosphere was electric. The SONA Warrior Awards—hosted by the Songwriters of North America—recognize bold leadership, innovation, and advocacy within music. This year’s ceremony celebrated those who are not only making creative contributions, but also fostering equity and access in an industry long overdue for change.

When Tiffany stepped onto the stage to accept the award on behalf of Girls Make Beats, the applause wasn’t just for a nonprofit—it was for decades of commitment, countless hours behind consoles and mic pre-sets, and a vision of a world where girls have a seat (and a soundboard) in music production, DJing and engineering.

The Moment that Matters

One highlight of the evening came from prize presenter and icon Janelle Monáe, who told a moving story about a young student, unsure at first, who found her voice and her courage inside an environment just like the one Tiffany creates. The twist: Janelle revealed she had once been that student. And when she spoke of Tiffany by name—“Ms. Tiffany Miranda”—the moment resonated deeply.

That acknowledgment underscored something profound: this isn’t just about awards or recognition—it’s about legacy. Tiffany isn’t merely leading a program—she’s guiding a movement.

Why This Award Is So Significant

• The SONA Warrior Award recognized Girls Make Beats alongside other powerhouses like Chappell Roan, legendary producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, music attorney Dina LaPolt and Primary Wave Music CEO Larry Mestel—a group diverse in role but unified in purpose.

• The recognition broadly affirms Tiffany’s dedication to equity, access, mentorship in music—especially for girls and young women who historically have been underrepresented in production, DJing and audio-engineering spaces.

• For Tiffany personally, this is both a milestone and a launching pad: the award marks the transition from years of grassroots work into even more visible leadership and influence.

Tiffany’s Reflective Words + What’s Next

In accepting the award, Tiffany looked beyond the moment. She acknowledged the collective effort of Girls Make Beats’ team, mentors, volunteers and students, and emphasized that:

“This is more than a win for Girls Make Beats. It’s a win for every girl who’s ever dreamed of creating music and changing the game.”

And what’s next? Tiffany is already driving forward: expanding opportunities, forging new partnerships, integrating more tech-forward training for treatment of audio engineering and DJ performance, and ensuring that the next generation of female creators receive not just access—but empowerment.

Final Thoughts

Tiffany Miranda’s appearance at the SONA Warrior Awards isn’t just about an honor—it’s about visibility, validation, and vision. It signals to the music industry and to incoming female creators that the space is expanding—and that leaders like Tiffany are opening doors wide.

If you’re a young woman aspiring to produce, engineer, DJ or simply love music and want to find your place behind the scenes—take note of Tiffany’s journey. The award is a badge of success, but the real story is in the countless hours, collaborations, risk-taking, and belief in possibility.