Meet Nina Nepa

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nina Nepa. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Nina, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
I began developing this skill far before I began to pursue music. I’ve always found myself in male-dominated spaces. From my college mechanical engineering program, to my work as a resident engineer at an active construction site, to audio engineering & music production. I feel pressure to constantly prove my abilities and skills. These experiences have required me to become my biggest advocate and grow a strong sense of self. I’ve grown resilient to confidently combat sexism & homophobia. With practice, it becomes easier to stand up for yourself and those who also share your identities. It’s simply not worth it to let anyone make you feel small. Eleanor Roosevelt said “no one can make you feel inferior without your consent”. She couldn’t have said it better.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a mechanical engineer turned singer-songwriter, producer, and musician. In 2020, I was let go of my job in Los Angeles due to COVID-19 and began to reevaluate my priorities by starting to write my own music. Currently, I work part time at Pen Station Studios in Santa Monica, CA, to continue developing my craft. The services I provide are songwriting, producing, engineering, and mixing. Since beginning my journey, I have been performing my music all around Los Angeles, from small DIY house shows to my first music festival this past fall! I also sing with my dear friend Broadway B to support his music and band. In a homogenous male-dominated field, I think I stand out as a queer female producer & engineer to provide a different perspective and energy to the creative process. I am most proud of the diversity of projects I have done. My production style ranges from singer-songwriter ballad, to jazz, to electro pop. I work with artists from all walks of life, and I encourage everyone to be their most authentic selves. I want potential clients to know that no matter where they come from, or how they identify, I welcome them with open arms.

A few projects coming up: I am involved with an event series called “Grief Songs,” an ongoing series that creates a safe space for collective communal grief. I am also finishing up my next single release, a protest piece that speaks out against oppressors who silence marginalized voices. These projects hold deep meaning for me, and I look forward to sharing this work with those who may connect with it.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Create a clear vision, but don’t get attached – let your work evolve where it needs to go.
2. Value your work more than your feelings about it – you are providing a service.
3. Make decisions and stick to them – trust your intuition.

What ultimately pushed me to perform and share my music was putting my ego in check. I was hiding my music, afraid that it would never be good enough, afraid people would be cruel, afraid people would laugh… and then I realized – I am soooo much less important than the work I am creating. As a songwriter, separating your personhood from your songs can be difficult, but this vital skill allows you to channel constructive criticism into the work, rather than take it to heart. The biggest piece of advice that I can offer – KEEP GOING! Harness your power – the rest will come.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
I’ve had countless mentors help me navigate my musical journey (whether they know it or not). In 2021, I matriculated into a graduate program, with Berklee College of Music, to learn production & audio engineering. I connected with fantastic faculty, mentors, and colleagues who changed my life. My first semester, I took Creative Recording & Editing Techniques with Enrique Gonzalez-Muller. I was terribly unqualified for his course, but Enrique saw potential in me and guided me through every turn. His authenticity & genuine enthusiasm for music production was infectious. He made me feel like I had intrinsic value to share and gave me the tools to execute my visions. Enrique is just one of the dozens of mentors who empower me to keep creating. Without their encouragement, I wouldn’t be a fraction of the artist I am today.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Ian Phillips, Amber, Chris Rieger Media

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