Canadian singer Alessia Cara was the only woman to win one of the major categories at this yearB次元官网网址檚 Grammy Awards, and less than a quarter of the 84 trophies handed out Sunday went to either a woman or group that included a woman.

But it was backstage comments from the Recording AcademyB次元官网网址檚 president that inflamed critics, who saw this yearB次元官网网址檚 awards show is further proof that a pervasive gender imbalance exists in the industry.

B次元官网网址淚 think it has to begin with women who have the creativity in their hearts and souls, who want to be musicians, who want to be engineers, producers, and want to be part of the industry on an executive level,B次元官网网址� Neil Portnow told reporters in the press room after the show on Sunday.

B次元官网网址�(They need) to step up because I think they would be welcome.B次元官网网址�

Suggesting that women arenB次元官网网址檛 B次元官网网址渟tepping upB次元官网网址� in the music industry frustrates Aerin Fogel, organizer of Toronto-based feminist arts celebration Venus Fest. She said she is not surprised by the reaction from the executives.

B次元官网网址淚n a way what heB次元官网网址檚 (saying) represents the larger issues in the music industry B次元官网网址� and in most industries,B次元官网网址� Fogel said. B次元官网网址淭here are real inherent challenges for women to be moving through these structures in the same way as men.B次元官网网址�

Backlash against the Grammys over its gender disparity started long before SundayB次元官网网址檚 ceremony. When the nominations were announced in late November, many fans were quick to note that major categories were stacked with men.

Tension mounted in the days before the event when LordeB次元官网网址檚 mother, Sonja Yelich, tweeted an excerpt from a New York Times article that said only nine per cent of nominees were women over the past six Grammy Awards.

During the broadcast several female artists B次元官网网址� including Kesha and Lady Gaga B次元官网网址� delivered impassioned performances in solidarity with the MeToo movement. Neither artist took home a Grammy at the ceremony.

Some have stood behind the Grammys, saying women havenB次元官网网址檛 been entirely left out. Adele won twice for album of the year over that same six-year period, while Taylor Swift grabbed the award once. Meghan Trainor was chosen as best new artist in 2016 before Cara this year.

But the wins are still mostly men in those categories.

Anne Douris, a Toronto-based musician who performs as Bossie, said Grammy figures suggest the organizationB次元官网网址檚 president is B次元官网网址渢one deafB次元官网网址� on timely issues.

B次元官网网址淭he attitude of B次元官网网址榩ull up your bootstrapsB次元官网网址� is such an easy thing to say,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淧eople in that position of power need to be working a little bit harder to look at this as a complicated issue.B次元官网网址�

Before she launched her solo career, Douris regularly toured with other bands, including several Canadian rock musicians.

B次元官网网址淚 would work on tours where I was the only woman and the entire time nobody would shake my hand,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址漃eople would assume I was someoneB次元官网网址檚 girlfriend.B次元官网网址�

Douris said those memories came rushing back when she heard executives at the Grammys suggest women work harder to pursue industry roles.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 lots of women working very hard, youB次元官网网址檙e just not talking to them,B次元官网网址� the musician said she wished she could tell the leaders.

Grammy winner Barbara Hannigan said she didnB次元官网网址檛 face a lack of opportunities as a woman when she first started in the music industry. As a soprano, the Nova Scotia singer only competed for jobs with other women.

B次元官网网址� P!nk (@Pink)

B次元官网网址淭hen when I became a conductor, all the sudden I was in a male-dominated field and I started getting all these questions about my gender,B次元官网网址� said Hannigan, who picked up a Grammy for classical solo vocal album at this yearB次元官网网址檚 awards.

B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 want to be considered a female conductor, I want to just be a musician,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址滱s soon as someone puts B次元官网网址榝emaleB次元官网网址� in front of my job, they immediately change the focus from my work to my gender, which I find kind of frustrating.B次元官网网址�

Hannigan said that while her priorities are focused on creating music of the highest calibre, she still acknowledges that she was raised in a world where female conductors were put in a box.

B次元官网网址淔or some reason it seemed absolutely appropriate for a woman to conduct a choir but not an orchestra,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 know why that is. All I know is that I never saw that.B次元官网网址�

While she doesnB次元官网网址檛 dwell on her gender, Hannigan recognizes she is among a rare set of female conductors. She was reminded of the fact during a recent performance for a couple of thousand teenagers, many of whom had little exposure to classical music.

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 amazing because theyB次元官网网址檙e going to sit in the hall and theyB次元官网网址檙e not going to find it strange to see a woman on the podium,B次元官网网址� she said.

B次元官网网址淚n that way, by me just showing up B次元官网网址� and doing what I do the highest of my ability B次元官网网址� this is whatB次元官网网址檚 important.B次元官网网址�

David Friend, The Canadian Press

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