I'm thrilled to join the WOMEX Jury. It’s an honour to help shape a conference that champions creativity, exciting new connections and the vibrant diversity of global music. I look forward to contributing ideas and bringing in new networks and I know I'm going to learn a lot along the way.
Dr. Georgie Pope, a London-based ethnomusicologist, harpist and music producer, promotes cross-cultural exchange through music. She works for Arab music promoter MARSM, directs Global Music Academy and organises global music events at SOAS University. With a PhD from King’s College London, her career spans international festivals and she founded Indian musical tour company Sound Travels.
Marija Vitas is an ethnomusicologist, music critic, journalist, editor, and festival organizer. Based in Belgrade, Marija has worked in the media business since 2007 and has been the editor of Etnoumlje magazine since 2012. Marija is a prominent cultural worker, researcher, and vice president of the World Music Association of Serbia.
Delighted to be part of the WOMEX 25 Jury and looking forward to discovering exiting music from around the globe!
Patrice is a seasoned bassist of Togolese-Ghanaian origin based in Canada, with over 15 years of international touring experience. He has collaborated with renowned Canadian artists and is driven by a passion for diverse music and cultural fusion. In 2007, he founded PASA Musik, a company specializing in artist management, booking, and production, dedicated to showcasing multicultural Canadian talent. He is also the founder of Fanmi Se Fanmi, a non-profit organization that hosts events like the Souk du Sud festival.
Jan is a Belgian curator, producer, DJ, radiohost and a musician. After studies in cultural anthropology and cultural management, he joined Zephyrus Records, managed and toured bands, and produced more than 20 albums. Since 2017, Jan is artistic director of Trefpunt, the main organization behind the huge Ghent Festivities.
The local partner for WOMEX 25 in Tampere, Finland, Tapio has over 50 years’ of experience as an artist manager, indie label owner, and founder of Finnish music conference and showcase festival, Music & Media.
Through his company, Rockadillo, his artists have played more than 2000 gigs in 40 countries worldwide. Tapio has promoted hundreds of international artists in Finland and the Nordics from Fela Kuti, Youssou Ndour, Salif Keita, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Cesaria Evora, Omara Portuondo and Gilberto Gil as well as numerous reggae, jazz, blues, and rock legends.
Cultural manager, journalist, and lecturer based in Prague, Anna has led workshops, mentoring sessions, and panels at events such as WOMEX, Ment Ljubljana, Czech Music Crossroads, World Music Festival Bratislava among others and was a mentor at MOST program. She is an active member of grant committees and juries for music awards.
Founder of AMPromotions, an agency specializing in music PR, management, and booking, she currently works as an editor for Czech Radio Vltava and an assistant professor at the Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts.
Born in Bogotá, Luisa is one of the most influential music journalists in Colombia. She is a music programmer, broadcaster, festival curator and a connoisseur of global music. For more than 25 years, radio, television and the print media have been her medium to communicate with insight and sensitivity about the musical ecosystem of Colombia and the world.
Music is Love is Music
Jacqueline Strempel, aka Jackie Jackpot, lives in a universe as vast as music itself. Music defines every aspect of her being and work—whether as a festival curator, tour booker, the last on the dancefloor, or the first at the turntables.
A graduated architect, she now builds musical bridges, skyscrapers, and spins networks. Musical intervention, cultural participation, and political activism form the foundation of her work. Her passion: to carry the light, colour, sound, and message of artists and musicians out into the world.
The WOMEX Jury, established in 1999, comprises independent jury members, who change annually and who come from all over the world.
Our yearly call for proposals is open to any artist or music professional, living in any country or region globally. Based on the proposals submitted to them, the WOMEX Jury aims and strives to build a balanced programme.
WOMEX aspires to reflect the music and the music community in all fairness and equity. The Jury balances their programme by taking into account various elements of diversity and inclusivity (among them gender, culture, indigeneity, age, performance style, representation, professional readiness, advocacy, tradition, innovation, and region) that are required on stage and in the Conference sessions.
Since 2012, WOMEX has hosted the Club Summit, a series of club showcases highlighting the most exciting and breakthrough DJs, music producers and electronic sounds from the global underground. An independent curator, along with the in-house WOMEX team, curates the lineup for the Club Summit.
The WOMEX Jury's selection reflects the proposals received every year. If you, our beloved community, perceive any elements missing, then please help us by spreading the word, and help us fill any gaps with your pro-active encouragement and outreach. We are open for all input!
