BIO

Active in the art and business worlds for over 15 years, Theresa Perez is as multi-talented as they come: musician, producer, and business executive, not to mention chef and martial artist.

Her musical stylings—heard in three self-produced albums: a self-titled debut (2004), “the Boom Boom Session EP” (2006), and “Small World” (2010)—are just as diverse. While her most direct musical influence comes from rock, Theresa injects Latin sounds from the Caribbean and Brasil, as well as traditionally American jazz, funk, and hip hop into the mix, crafting a fresh approach all her own.

Leaders at Ex’pression College of Digital Arts have described Theresa’s songs as “soulful and vocally rich,” every word sung as though “with a smile,” each run charged with a “sultry, mischievous, playful” sound. And 88.1 KECG radio director Corey Mason recommends Theresa’s “dope hip hop” for “head knockin’ and heart expanding.”

In 2004 Theresa earned a Bachelor’s degree in Professional Music and Contemporary Writing and Production from the Berklee College of Music. From Boston, she moved to the San Francisco bay area where her musical endeavors truly took off: she led a five-piece band, sang vocals and served as local producer for Grammy-winner Esperanza Spalding’s debut record, “Esperanza,” and co-wrote/produced a theme song for racial justice organization World Trust. She also opened for acts such as Michael Franti, for whose record she also lent her vocals. Theresa eventually took her talents to school, educating inner city youth at multiple public schools and the Mosaic Project in music, bi-lingual education, and conflict resolution.

Between 2009 and 2011, Theresa traveled the world with Esperanza Spalding, acting as her personal assistant. Theresa accompanied Ms. Spalding to her performance at the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize ceremony where President Barack Obama was honored — who she’s had the honor of meeting twice.

After her first international journey, Theresa moved to New York, where she has contributed her skills and gained experience as the head of content for an international non-profit foundation, then at Sony Music Entertainment, and eventually running her own consulting business where she’s helped founders raise seed capital and artists launch their marketing campaigns and beyond. In late 2015, she joined Esperanza Spalding’s Management team for the release of Emily’s D+Evolution, and travelled on tour around the world for almost two years.

In 2018, she graduated with honors from the Rome Business School, earning her Master’s Degree in Arts & Cultural Management. For her final project, she launched a creative agency called INArts Creative geared toward cultural institutions. Before her website was live, she got her first job directing a photo shoot and creating marketing materials for the Sarasota Orchestra for two upcoming campaigns.

Shortly after this in 2018, she met the founders of a blossoming sonic branding agency, We Are Listen. After a few weeks of consulting for them, they asked her to join the team full time, and soon promoted her to General Manager - responsible for finance and all business operations. She oversaw the company tripling in size within a year. Shortly after, the company restructured and a second award-winning agency was birthed called Ada, doing work at the intersection of tech and culture. Theresa also oversaw this agency as General Manager. In 2023, both agencies were acquired, and she oversaw the sale and PMI. During the 5 years she held this position, Theresa gained invaluable experience in scaling businesses, raising capital, and managing staff and financial operations through the uncharted territories of the pandemic.

Theresa Perez’s impressive range of experience speaks to an unceasing goal: to create art and commerce that touches people’s hearts, incites joy, and brings benefit to this world.

She lives in the Catskill Mountains outside New York City with her wife, daughter, and two cats.