Resonator Awards to Honor Chaka Khan, St. Vincent, Haim, Amy Allen and Others During Grammy Week at Chaplin Studios

The Resonator Awards, which honor women and non-binary professionals in the music industry, will return on January 27 at Hollywood's historic Chaplin Studios. Organized by the non-profit We Are Moving the Needle, the ceremony has become a key fixture during Grammy week. This year's distinguished list of honorees includes powerhouse vocalist Chaka Khan, innovative musician St. Vincent, and the celebrated sister trio Haim.

This 2026 event signals a major revival after the cancellation of the 2025 ceremony, which was called off due to severe wildfires across Los Angeles. The awards were founded in 2024 by We Are Moving the Needle, a charity established by Grammy-winning mastering engineer Emily Lazar, whose credits include landmark albums for David Bowie and the Foo Fighters. The venue itself carries significance: the iconic Chaplin Studios, formerly the A&M and Henson lot, was recently renamed by its new owners, musician John Mayer and director McG, making this gala one of the first high-profile events under its new management.

The night will feature a formal dinner and award presentations from a roster of notable artists. Confirmed presenters comprise pop superstar Olivia Rodrigo, jazz-inspired singer Laufey, multi-instrumentalist Anderson .Paak, and songwriter Sia, with performers to be named at a later date. Honoree Chaka Khan, whose anthems like "Ain't Nobody" and "Through the Fire" have cemented her as a soul icon, praised the event's mission, stating, "It's vital to spotlight the incredible women who shape our soundscapes, both onstage and behind the console." This focus aligns with the organization's core objective to boost representation in technical fields; recent data from a 2025 industry report indicates that women still fill fewer than 5% of top producer roles on major charting tracks.

Beyond celebrating marquee artists, the Resonators diligently recognize crucial behind-the-scenes contributors. This year's honorees in these categories include hit songwriter Amy Allen, producers Alissia and Roselilah, and engineers Jayda Love and Bella Blasko. Also being honored are the writer-producer duo Elvira Anderfjärd and Luka Kloser, as well as audio company co-founder Betty Bennett. The ceremony will also present Resonator Hall of Fame Awards, paying tribute to the lifetime achievements of veterans like classical producer Judith Sherman and engineer Elaine Martone, alongside posthumous recognitions for songwriter Allee Willis—co-writer of the iconic *Friends* theme song "I'll Be There for You"—and the late, pioneering electronic musician and engineer Sophie.

The complete list of 2026 award recipients and their presenters is as follows: Chaka Khan (Luminary Award, presented by Sia); St. Vincent (Golden Trifecta Award, presented by Olivia Rodrigo); Haim (Disruptors Award, presented by Rostam); engineer Gena Johnson (Powerhouse Award, presented by Jason Isbell); Bella Blasko and Jayda Love (Exceptional Ears Awards, presented by Aaron Dessner and a presenter TBA, respectively); Amy Allen (Calliope Award, presented by Laufey); Alissia (All-Star Award, presented by Anderson .Paak); Elvira Anderfjärd and Luka Kloser (In Stereo Award, presented by Addison Rae); Roselilah (Breakthrough Award, presented by Emily Lazar); and Betty Bennett (Equalizer Award, presented by producer Tony Berg). Industry analysts suggest that such targeted recognition is more than symbolic; it helps demystify career paths and fosters essential mentorship in an industry where networking has traditionally been informal and exclusive.