Robin Barnes, known as “The Songbird of New Orleans,” is a Billboard-charting recording artist, entrepreneur, and Louisiana State Music Ambassador whose career offers a firsthand look at what it takes to build and sustain an independent music career. With an MBA specializing in marketing, Barnes brings a unique perspective that bridges artistry with the business, branding, and strategy behind a successful career in music.
A New Orleans native, Barnes has built her career from intimate club performances and long-running residencies to major festivals and international stages, including the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, ESSENCE Festival, Sundance Film Festival, and London’s Royal Opera House, with performances throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, and beyond.
Beyond performing, Barnes is an entrepreneur and founder of Move Ya Brass and the nonprofit Make Your Move Foundation, and has developed partnerships with national brands throughout her career. Her experience navigating touring, booking, partnerships, audience development, and revenue as an independent artist gives her a practical perspective on building a sustainable career while continuing to grow into larger markets.
At NOLA MusicCon, Barnes will moderate “From Club to Stadium: Touring, Booking, and Revenue,” contributing the independent artist perspective to a conversation about how artists and their teams strategically grow from one stage of their careers to the next.