we strive to
Educate. Empower. Entertain.
MidWay Music Speaks is a nonprofit organization based in Bloomington, IN that celebrates & connects women and non-binary people in music via promotion, empowerment, and performance opportunities.
The organization was established in 2018 following the first ever MidWay Music Festival that took place in September of 2017. After seeing the potential for growth & a greater impact, the festival was taken to the next level and transformed into MidWay Music Speaks, which now houses a variety of programs for individuals of all ages.
MidWay strives to: encourage more women of all identities and non-binary people to make music, bring more gender diversity to the stage, provide youth with strong mentors, make the music industry more accessible to those looking for experience, and create a community of musicians from varying experience levels. Our organization hopes to educate, empower, and entertain.
Our Team

James Nedley
Fundraising & Events Intern

Kate Bentley
Marketing & Admin Intern
committee Members
moving towards anti-racism
Jada Bee, Chair
Byrne Bridges
Josh Johnson
Amy Oelsner
Dina Tahamouqa
Hallie Buese
Jae Gasana
James Nedley
Jilly Rafalski
Josh Joshson
Sarah Cassidy
Stephanie Blandford
Lindsay Nash
Fundraising & Events
Byrne Bridges, Chair
Jilly Rafalski
Kate Bentley
Katie Maher
Lina Yanson
Maggie Zielinski
Marlo Owczarzak
Sarah Cassidy
Festival Planning
Josh Johnson, Chair
Dina Tahamouqa
Sarah Cassidy
Lindsay Nash
Lina Yanson
Zachary Taylor
Marketing & Outreach
Board Members
Lina Yanson
Board President
Josh Johnson
Board VP
Zachary Taylor
Treasurer
Byrne Bridges
Secretary
Gnat Bowden
Board Member
Jada Bee
Board Member
Katie Maher
Board Member
Stephanie Blandford
Board Member
Special thanks to our Software Engineers, Jordan & N0ah Gaeta!