The organization We Are Moving the Needle will present a starry awards event during Grammy Week. Honoring impactful female music makers, the 2026 Resonator Awards will recognize the Queen of Funk Chaka Khan, rockers St. Vincent and Haim, and songwriter Amy Allen, among other notable women working behind the scenes in production, engineering, and songwriting. Presenters include Olivia Rodrigo, Sia, Jason Isbell, Anderson .Paak, Laufey, and Addison Rae.
The Resonator Awards will be held on Jan. 27 at Los Angeles’ famed Chaplin Studios (formerly known as Henson Studios), which was recently reopened under the ownership of John Mayer and noted filmmaker McG. It’s the second year of hosting the event. We Are Moving the Needle was founded by Grammy-winning engineer Emily Lazar (Vampire Weekend, Coldplay) in 2021 as a response to severe underrepresentation by women in creative fields related to music. According to the 2025 Annenberg Report, only 5.9 percent of producers on the year-end Billboard Hot 100 chart are female.
“We Are Moving the Needle is about strengthening the music industry so creators can thrive on their own terms,” said Lazar in announcing the lineup. “The Resonator Awards are a reflection of that mission — honoring not only remarkable artistry, but the shared commitment to building an industry that lives up to its values.”
Added Khan: “Empowered women empower women. I am honored to be part of a movement that celebrates the creativity, resilience, and determination of women creators everywhere. We lift each other and shine. Together, we are moving the needle.”
See the full list of honorees below. Performers will be announced at a later date. For more information on We Are Moving the Needle’s mission, head to its website.
2026 Resonator Awards Honorees
Luminary Award – Chaka Khan (presented by Sia)
Golden Trifecta Award – St. Vincent (presented by Olivia Rodrigo)
Disruptors Award – HAIM (presented by Rostam)
Powerhouse Award – Gena Johnson (presented by Jason Isbell)
Exceptional Ears Award – Bella Blasko (presented by Aaron Dessner)
Exceptional Ears Award – Jayda Love (presented by Special Guest)
Calliope Award – Amy Allen (presented by Laufey)
All-Star Award – Alissia (presented by Anderson .Paak)
In Stereo Award – Elvira Anderfjärd and Luka Kloser (presented by Addison Rae)
Breakthrough Award – Roselilah (presented by Emily Lazar)
Equalizer Award – Betty Bennett (presented by Tony Berg)
Resonator Hall of Fame Inductees
Allee Willis (In Memoriam)
Elaine Martone
Jaime Sickora
Judith Sherman
Mary Mazurek
Michelle Sabolchick
SOPHIE (In Memoriam)
