Women of the Disco: Part 16

Nadia Vilaisaeng

Growing up, I’ve always been surrounded by music. No matter the genre, I’ve always loved going to concerts, festivals, and events. I went to my first festival when I was 18, and it was such a fun and memorable experience. After that, I started attending nearly every festival I could in Texas, eventually traveling to festivals in other cities as well.

I was always the person planning the trips. Whether it was coordinating for six people or twenty, I genuinely enjoyed making sure everything was organized and taken care of in advance. What I enjoyed most was seeing my friends have a great time. Knowing that I helped create an experience that made them happy made me happy, too. Looking back, I realize that my love for planning and creating memorable experiences was always there – I just hadn’t realized I could turn it into a career.

During my last year of college, I was still figuring out exactly what I wanted to do, but I knew the entertainment industry was something I wanted to explore. While searching for internships, I came across the Disco U Program. At first, I was hesitant to apply. I wasn’t sure if it was the right path for me, and part of me was simply scared to step outside of my comfort zone. Eventually, I thought, “it doesn’t hurt to try”, and decided to apply.

A couple of months later, I received an email asking if I wanted to be a Disco U Intern for Ubbi Dubbi 2025. That opportunity introduced me to so many incredible people and gave me my first real look at just how much work happens behind the scenes of a festival. I quickly realized that the planning, coordination, and execution that go into creating these experiences were exactly what I enjoyed.

Through that internship, I began to understand what I wanted to pursue as a career: operations. Planning and executing had always been a part of my life, so I asked myself, why not make it a career? That internship ultimately opened the door to my career in Vendor Operations.

Today, as a Vendor Operations Assistant, I help coordinate vendor load-ins and load-outs throughout the festival, serve as a point of contact for vendors on-site, and assist with questions and day-to-day needs to help ensure operations run smoothly. Being on-site and seeing everything come together is one of the most rewarding parts of the job.

Being curious and detail-oriented has helped me succeed in this field. I’m someone who asks a lot of questions because I genuinely want to understand how things work and learn from the people around me. I’ve found that being willing to ask questions, stay organized, and pay attention to the small details can make a big difference in an industry where so many moving pieces have to come together.

Advice: Sometimes the biggest person stopping you is yourself. Don’t be afraid to push yourself and try something new. At the end of the day, you can always say you tried – and you might surprise yourself with what you’re capable of once you start saying yes to new opportunities.

Kat Potts

I’ve loved music my entire life, all genres. It’s one of the most healing things to me. Honestly, I wish I had been able to learn to play an instrument, but after many attempts, I realized it just wasn’t my calling (haha). I’ve been especially passionate about EDM for over 10 years. I studied marketing in both undergrad and graduate school, and while I was in undergrad, I landed a marketing internship with RCA Records in NYC in 2013. That experience solidified my desire to build some sort of career that combined my background in marketing with my love of music. Although my journey from college to where I am now took some time, I truly believe it all happened in perfect timing. Along the way, I was also able to weave in my passion for yoga and wellness, which ultimately became another meaningful part of my path into working in the EDM industry. Since then, I’ve continued to find ways to bring all of these passions together, with a focus on connecting people and communities, and uplifting people in any way I can.

I actually got my start working in the EDM industry through wellness. As a Wellness Facilitator, I began teaching yoga and meditation workshops at music festivals. That eventually led me to working with a music collective, where I gained experience throwing shows, working in artist hospitality, and learning the many different sides of the industry. Which then landed me in the best nest, Electric Hawk!

Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to continue to work across marketing, publications, festival programming, wellness, and artist management.

As a Marketing Lead for Electric Hawk, a big part of my work is creating ways both digitally and in-person for honest conversations around mental health and wellness in our community, not just celebrating the wins, but talking openly about the challenges and hardships so we can learn, grow, and support one another better. I also contribute to our publications department. Uplifting people across different parts of the industry and helping them reach a larger audience, share their passions, and tell their stories is sacred to me. I believe everyone has something meaningful to contribute, and that giving people a platform to share their art and experiences can create connections and help others feel seen, understood, and inspired. Whether it’s an artist, wellness practitioner, event organizer, creative, or someone working behind the scenes, I love finding ways to amplify the people and perspectives that make this community so special.

Through my work as Workshop Manager for Showcation Camp and Beyond Existence, I focus on creating opportunities for facilitators to share their talents, knowledge, and passions through workshops and experiences that go beyond the music. I love helping create spaces where attendees can learn something new, connect with others, and explore different aspects of themselves in a more intentional way. Whether it’s wellness modalities, flow arts, education, or other forms of self-expression, I’m driven to bring these experiences into festival spaces and create opportunities for people to share what they love with a wider community, while also adding more depth to the festival experience itself. Dancing and being silly during sets is obviously incredible and healing, but I believe there’s so much value in creating additional ways for people to feel, connect, express themselves, and come together in community.

Alongside that, I teach yoga weekly at two amazing studios, and manage a producer, Limbus Luna (if you’re reading this, check him out!). Outside of the wellness and EDM industry, I have also worked as a Digital Marketing Manager in value-based care technology and previously in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Those experiences have shaped how I approach community, storytelling, and creating meaningful impact in everything I do.

I think curiosity, adaptability, and a genuine desire to uplift others have been some of the biggest factors in my success. I’ve never wanted to limit myself to one lane, and I’m always open to learning, trying new things, and taking on opportunities that push me outside my comfort zone.

Most importantly, I care deeply about people and the community. No matter what area I’m working in, I’m motivated by helping people feel seen, supported, and empowered to share what they have to offer. There is nothing better than witnessing people confidently lean into their passions and supporting them along the way.

Advice: Don’t shrink yourself to make others comfortable. Stand in your power and trust your intuition.

Kaydence Galer

I’m an Event Coordinator at Disco Presents, where I help bring live shows to life. As the Social Media Marketing Manager at B&W Productions, I organize the socials and keep everything in line. I love the energy of live events and the work that goes into making each one happen.

Staying organized, taking care of myself, and having fun while remaining responsible and detail-oriented helps me find success.

Advice: My advice for women in this industry is to take care of yourself and set boundaries. This work can be fast-paced and demanding, and you do your best work when you protect your own energy.

Jessica Powers

My journey in the entertainment industry started long before I joined Moon Lvnding. While attending the University of New Mexico, I started working for Student Special Events and began booking shows on campus after being introduced to dubstep by friends during my freshman year in 2011. What started with an interest in one genre quickly grew into an obsession with electronic music. As I deep-dived into different genres and discovered more artists, I found myself wanting to become more involved in the scene.

Booking shows became my first opportunity to do just that. During college, I had the chance to bring artists like Tritonal, Cash Cash, Craze, and AC Slater to campus. Those experiences gave me an early look at what goes into putting on events and working with artist, managers, and booking agents.

After graduating, I continued exploring different sides of the entertainment industry, working as a stagehand and helping at festivals through Insomniac’s Headliner Experience. Each experience gave me a different perspective on the industry and helped me build a better understanding of the many people working behind the scenes to make events and experiences happen.

My path eventually led me to Moon Lvnding in 2021. I came across a tweet from Jason Euler looking for writers to join the team, and I decided to take a chance and respond. I have always loved writing, so combining that with my passion for electronic music made sense. What started as an opportunity to write about the music I loved eventually grew into something much bigger. In 2023, I stepped into the role of Assignment Director.

Today, as Assignment Director, I oversee Moon Lvnding’s team of writers and editors across the country. A big part of my role is making sure our team has the support and resources they need to succeed. I train new writers who are interested in joining the team, help current team members brainstorm article ideas, and answer questions about everything from assignments to applying for media passes.

I also help keep the content moving from week to week. With a team covering different parts of the country and different areas of electronic music, there is always something happening. I make sure we maintain a variety of coverage, from artist interviews and festival lineup announcements to album reviews and other stories that pop up.

A significant part of my day-to-day work also happens behind the scenes. I monitor both the Moon Lvnding general inbox and my own inbox for coverage requests, then connect those opportunities with members of the writing team. I also help update our weekly New Music Friday Heat playlist on Spotify every Friday, searching for new releases across genres like hard dance, dubstep, and drum & bass.

If there is one thing that has helped me throughout my career, it is being willing to take a chance. The worst thing someone can tell you is no. You never know what opportunities can come from simply putting yourself out there and asking.

I also believe strongly in being the biggest cheerleader for the people around you. Whether I’m working with an artist, a writer on our team, a PR agency, or a label, I want the people I work with to know that I genuinely support what they are doing. The electronic music community is built by people who are passionate about the same thing, and I think we all benefit from supporting each other.

Advice: For other women looking to find their place in the industry, my biggest piece of advice is: don’t be afraid to speak up and go after what you want. There is room for everyone. It doesn’t have to be a competition. At the end of the day, we are all here for the same reason – we love the music and the community that comes with it.

Morgan Stanley

Music has always been a pretty significant part of my life. I originally went to music school for college to become a singer/songwriter but, by the end of my second year in the music production degree, I naturally gravitated toward the business side since I was already focusing more on helping my classmates’ artist projects than my own. Soon after, in the middle of my A&R internship at Ultra Records, something was telling me that there was another side of the industry I should try and a great friend of mine in my class was interning at a management company with some iconic Electronic/Dance acts so I immediately had to reach out and connect. I was brought on as an intern soon after and worked on some amazing artist projects before I was officially brought on full-time as a Day to Day Manager at Prodigy Artists for Deorro and SLANDER; eventually also helping manage NGHTMRE & SLANDER’s label Gud Vibrations and launching SLANDER’s label Heaven Sent.

Primarily working across Porter Robinson, EDEN, Jai Wolf, and WINK, my current role at Slush Management includes a wide range of responsibilities across our entire roster. A few of my everyday tasks include music distribution, coordinating tour photo/video bookings, music release and tour marketing, tracking digital analytics, social media content ideation/posting, creative asset ideation/creation, admin management for publishing/royalties, and much more depending on the day.

Something that I’ve always followed in management is that no task is ever too small. When you look at the big picture of an artist’s business, there are so many moving pieces that help contribute to the project’s success and every little piece truly does make a difference. Coming from a true fan mindset, I have also always been a ride or die for the artists that I work with and I believe that’s all an artist really wants is a true advocate on their team.

Advice: Never be afraid to speak up and have an opinion. As a woman in a male dominated industry, you deserve every right to equally have a voice and a seat at the table. Also, love the saying “Closed mouths don’t get fed” because you are sometimes in certain situations the only advocate for you or your artist so embrace having the courage to speak up about what you need/want!

Abby Ellis

I got my start in the music industry almost 10 years ago while I was in college in Columbus, Ohio. I started with AEG/PromoWest doing venue maintenance (have cleaned some rough green rooms), then became a marketing intern while also bartending and working as a production runner. I basically lived at their venues! Getting hands-on experience across so many different areas early in my career gave me a really strong foundation and taught me just how much goes into making a show happen.

I’m a Coordinator at THE·TEAM, where I work alongside agents to help manage the touring business for our artists. My role spans everything from booking shows and analyzing deals to coordinating marketing, reviewing financials, and communicating with buyers, clients, and internal teams. A big part of what I do is keeping all the pieces organized, anticipating what’s next, and making sure everything stays on track.

Organization x 1,000 and being tech-savvy! I really think the two go hand in hand. I’m always looking for ways to make processes more organized and efficient so nothing slips through the cracks. With clients the size of Subtronics, there are a lot of moving parts, so having strong systems, thinking ahead, and being able to pull the right information quickly are essential. From an attitude perspective, I try to focus my energy on what I can control. There’s no sense in spending it on something I can’t change.

Advice:

1. Never apologize for something that doesn’t warrant an apology.
2. Always ask questions – you don’t know what you don’t know.
3. Don’t take criticism from people you would never go to for advice!

Aspen Hough

I work with a nonprofit called End Overdose, where we train individuals on how to respond to opioid overdoses and distribute life-saving resources like naloxone (also known as Narcan). I founded the Dallas chapter in 2023, and since 2025, we have been hosting naloxone training booths at Disco Presents festivals. Through our work at Disco Presents events, we have trained 2,230 people and distributed 3,790 doses of naloxone.

My role with End Overdose is to lead chapter operations across Texas and build relationships with festivals, venues, and other community partners. I lead a team that organizes fundraisers, social media campaigns, training events, and community outreach while recruiting and training volunteers. I also work to maintain the End Overdose brand while developing a unique identity for our chapter. As I continue expanding this work across Texas, I am currently launching an End Overdose chapter in Austin.

I got my start in the entertainment industry by volunteering and working entry-level positions at concert venues and festivals. I have worked in box office, VIP guest services, artist relations, and food & beverage. My first internship was with Loft Stories in Dallas, where I was part of the artist relations team. I researched and wrote blogs highlighting local artists and helped with production for a COVID-era drive-in festival. I have always loved working in live events and being surrounded by artists and creatives, and my work with End Overdose has allowed me to find the crossroads of many of the things I care about most: music, community, and keeping people safe.

I am currently pursuing my graduate degree in social work at The University of Texas, with a focus on mental health, harm reduction, and marginalized populations. My education has given me another perspective on the communities I work with and has helped me better understand how we can create safer and more supportive spaces within the entertainment industry. I am especially passionate about bringing harm reduction and mental health wellness into music and nightlife spaces, where education and access to resources can have a direct impact on people’s lives.

Advice: My advice to women entering the entertainment industry is to keep advocating for yourself. Make connections, find your niche, and let the world know that you belong, even when you are battling imposter syndrome.

Angela Dao

Since birth, I’ve been surrounded by live music. My grandpa was a Vietnamese immigrant who became a prominent MC that was invited to many events in West Michigan and I would always tag along. Our family also owned Saigon Video, which was a hub for the Vietnamese community for everything related to music, movies, TV shows; you could even rent our karaoke equipment and speakers. My parents loved karaoke and listening to vinapop and trance music.

My first concert was at the Intersection in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for Secondhand Serenade in 2008, and my first rave was the Poseiden tour with Zedd and Porter Robinson in 2012. After that, I spent about 10 years in the service industry bartending. In 2021, I finally got my foot in the door as an event coordinator at Fredrick Meijer Gardens. I managed art exhibits, weddings and live music in the amphitheater space. During this time, I remained a frequent patron at the Intersection. My merits landed me a job in their box office where I realized my life calling. I want to be just like my grandpa and cultivate a community with access to music in a safe, inclusive place. My work ethic at the Intersection opened many doors for me, leading me to box office gigs at festivals like Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, Lost Lands and Gridlife, and even earning artist relation gigs with Summer Camp and Upheaval.

Today, I own and operate a boba shop, Jade Tea in Grand Rapids. Through my small business, I am able to curate a space where not only do I share my favorite music and community news with patrons, but also host events like live music or meet-and-greets with local and touring artists. When I’m not at Jade Tea, I am still an entertainment freelancer seeking out roles that let me learn new skills and grow as a music-lover, freelancer and small business owner.

I am able to do all of this by living the motto, “Work hard and play harder,” remembering that work comes first and fun is a guarantee. I keep calm under pressure and excel at logistics, making sure every duck is in its row. I see every gig as an opportunity and approach working a festival like someone would prepare for a marathon. I prioritize exercise, eating well, hydration and rest (especially knowing that sleep will not be easy at a camping festival where people can be up all night and day). It makes all the play more worthwhile. Once work is settled, the marathon isn’t over because you have to have fun; otherwise there is no point if there is no fun!

My Advice: If you cannot do it with a smile, then you need to readjust until you can. Those of us in the music industry are lucky to be part of the magic that is music. Too many people in this industry lose the spark that brought them into it in the first place – the spirit you carry reflects on the patrons. The music industry is essentially the modern-day traveling circus; our work is fun and there are plenty of people that want to do what we do. Don’t gatekeep because there is plenty for everyone to eat. It’s crazy to think about how women once did not have the right to be outside like this, so continue to infiltrate this male dominated industry and push forward to a new era for women and non-binary people. Lastly, please know how to administer Narcan as it can only do good for everyone.