Welcome to Fem Forte--your new favorite source for inspiring interviews with women in music and performing arts. Fem Forte is hosted by Amanda DeFrees, Director of Media at Ultimate Drill Book. Come join me on this journey as I sit down and have real conversations with women who are making strides and impacting the community in a positive way. Whether you are a performer, musician, actor, dancer, teacher or love music and performing arts, this podcast is for you!
Making the Message Matter: Marketing for Equality and Opportunity with Andrea Davila
From the drum corps field to the Rio Grande Valley, Andrea Davila’s journey is rooted in a belief that access matters. In this episode, she shares how she blends marketing expertise with mission-driven work—helping organizations like Bluecoats and Synergy Percussion communicate with clarity and care. You’ll leave this episode with a better understanding of both marketing strategy and advocacy in action.
Guest Bio:
Andrea Davila is the co-founder of Synergy Percussion and has led impactful marketing efforts for Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps, UTRGV School of Music, and Pageantry Innovations. She’s driven by a passion for providing equitable opportunities to students, especially those from underserved communities in the Rio Grande Valley.
1 Aug 2025
Behind the Laughs: Tech, Comedy, and Political Satire Without Apology with Arielle Isaac Norman
Arielle Isaac Norman doesn’t just tell jokes—she challenges the entire system. In this episode, we dive into Arielle’s sharp, boundary-pushing comedy and how she weaves politics, gender, and identity into her work with fearless nuance. From her debut special Ellen DeGenderless to her take on language, labels, and cultural expectations, Arielle proves that satire can be a powerful—and hilarious—tool for disruption.
Arielle Isaac Norman is a politically fluid, gender-nonconforming lesbian comic whose dark humor tackles hot-button issues with fearless nuance. She’s performed across the U.S. at SXSW, Skankfest, and SF Sketchfest, and opened for comedy greats like Maria Bamford and Louie C.K. Her 2024 special Ellen DeGenderless is a raw, satirical dive into the politics of identity, language, and culture.
25 Jul 2025
Building a Career with Timing and Trust with Julie Davila
Julie Davila is a name you’ll find etched in the halls of WGI and PAS, but her story is far more than accolades. In this episode, Julie shares how her career was built on relationships, initiative, and the quiet power of follow-through. Whether you're a music educator or performer, Julie’s journey reminds us that steady growth and meaningful timing win the race.
Guest Bio:
Julie Davila is a celebrated percussionist, educator, and leader in the marching arts. She’s President of the Percussive Arts Society, a WGI Hall of Fame inductee, and a longtime judge for DCI. Julie is an adjunct professor at MTSU, author of multiple percussion method books, and a clinician who has performed around the world.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
3,560
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
11 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 60 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
65
Social presence
0
YouTube
68
Engagement
71
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