Welcome to Fem Forte!
Fem Forte

Fem Forte

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 band director, performer, conductor, musician, or love music and performing arts, this podcast is for you!

Recent Episodes

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Making the Message Matter: Marketing for Equality and Opportunity with Andrea Davila
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Aug. 8, 2025

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 marke
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Behind the Laughs: Tech, Comedy, and Political Satire Without Apology with Arielle Isaac Norman
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Aug. 1, 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 w
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Building a Career with Timing and Trust with Julie Davila
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July 25, 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 Ar
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All That Raaz: From Emo Punk to Entrepreneurship and Inner Healing
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July 17, 2025

All That Raaz: From Emo Punk to Entrepreneurship and Inner Healing

What happens when you finally give yourself permission to create what you want? Kelly Raaz answers that question through her story of starting a successful business built on punk nostalgia and self-expression. We talk about healing your younger self, staying true to your voice, and building something real from the ground up. Guest Bio: Kelly Raaz is the founder of All That Raaz, an apparel and accessories brand that celebrates emo and pop punk culture. From vending at When We Were Young Fest to
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More Than a Starving Artist: Music Education, Mental Health, and Making It Work
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July 11, 2025

More Than a Starving Artist: Music Education, Mental Health, and Making It Work

Kate Warren is here to challenge every limiting belief about musicianship. In this episode, she talks about mental health in the arts, the science behind motivation, and how social media can be a platform for positive change. If you’ve ever felt stuck between your passion and practicality, this episode is your reminder that a thriving music career is possible—and personal. Kate Warren is an internationally recognized hornist, music educator, and mental health advocate. She’s a featured soloist w
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From Broadway to Big Tops: A Musician’s Journey of Discovery with Mackenna Tolfa
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July 4, 2025

From Broadway to Big Tops: A Musician’s Journey of Discovery with Mackenna Tolfa

From Mean Girls to Cirque du Soleil, Mackenna Tolfa has played it all—and played it well. In this episode, she reveals how staying curious led to world tours, composing original works, and becoming one of the first female drummers to be featured with Blue Man Group. We talk about initiative, identity, and what it means to discover who you are while staying in motion. Mackenna Tolfa is a global performer, composer, and trailblazer in percussion. She’s toured over 20 countries and currently plays
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About the Host

Amanda DeFrees Profile Photo
Amanda DeFrees

Podcast Host

Amanda DeFrees is the host of Fem Forte and currently serves as the Director of Media at Ultimate Drill Book. Fem Forte is a podcast that celebrates women in the arts. This podcast is meant to empower the next generation of women in the performing arts by interviewing amazing female educators, performers, and professionals alike who are currently in the industry. Amanda has worn multiple hats throughout her career as a performer, musician, and media professional. Amanda has been featured in Business Innovators Magazine, Canvas Rebel Magazine, Texas A&M Kingsville Foundation Annual Report, The South Texan Newspaper, and Corpus Christi Caller Times. Amanda is a proud alum of Winter Guard International Silver Medalist Crossmen Winds Performing Ensemble, 5points Percussion, and has performed as a contracted musician at SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment and NCAA Final Four Entertainment Ensemble.

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