Now Available: "Stage Fright" by Athenasia

Forced by her family to break up with her boyfriend, Athenasia wrote STAGE FRIGHT, about her modern Romeo and Juliet story. Feeling the pressure of not being able to love someone in public and in front of others, she’s too scared to tell her parents and the world about her true feelings she holds. So she hides them. STAGE FRIGHT is her confession and the song for anyone loving in secret.

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Athenasia, meaning immortal in Ancient Greek, connects ancient sounds with the future. Inspired by Byzantine melodies, soul, and R&B, she creates music with powerhouse vocals and deep emotion that feels alive. At its core, her artistry is about awakening, calling people out of numbness and back into presence, feeling, and truth. Through her music, she encourages listeners to face who they are, embrace their imperfections, reconnect with their cultural roots, and fall back in love with the world around them.

Spotify

Apple Music

Instagram

Ella Loretta Releases "Really Do"!

Really Do is a song about loving someone so much that you don’t understand how they could ever doubt it, and wanting to show them how worthy and special they are. It’s romantic, danceable, and feel-good. I write mostly on guitar, and this song started out the same way, in my childhood bedroom last year with a month left of summer to kill and my journal in front of me. The verses happened quickly over the same accoustic guitar part you hear in the final song. Then I reached a turning point and decided to think past writing the entire thing accoustically, as is usually my style, in favor of sitting down in front of my laptop to start producing the song as I was writing the rest of it. I was fresh out of my first year of music production classes in college and spent the rest of the summer working on the best demo of the song possible. The accoustic guitar, synth, and most of the background vocals from the final version of the song were all recorded that month in my room in Raleigh. The drum groove and many of the instrumental parts you hear are also based directly on my initial production. I sat on the demo for a few months, sending it in for different pitch opportunities and applications, until I got an email in January from Matt Rollings, a Grammy Award winning producer who wanted to produce my song during his visit to Berklee. That’s when everything was set into motion. - Ella Loretta in her interview with Section 36 Music

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Ella Loretta Ludwig is a singer, songwriter, and actress from Raleigh, North Carolina. Known for inventive melodies, addictive hooks, and emotion-driven storytelling, Ella creates music that will be enjoyed by fans of Chapell Roan, Billie Eilish, Rene Rapp, and Taylor Swift. She is a passionate creative and multi-disciplinary artist whose greatest joy is to connect with people through music and performance. 

Currently in her sophomore year at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Ella has extensive experience in choral music and musical theater. She is a soprano with an expansive range and powerful belt, and enjoys singing a wide range of styles, including pop, jazz, and indie folk. In 2024 Ella won the Athena Prize Festival Songwriting Competition in Nashville Tennessee.

Now Available: "Electrify" by Céline Marie

On May 1, 2026, Céline Marie released “Electrify” as the second and final single ahead of her upcoming EP “Showtime”.

“Electrify” blends driving Peak Time Techno with euphoric Big Room energy, delivering a powerful sonic experience and unstoppable momentum. It’s pure adrenaline, addictive like a dopamine rush — fast, intense, electrifying. Built in silence. Built on mystery. It was waiting beneath the surface, ready to be unleashed, and now it’s here to electrify your soul!

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Photo: MATPHOTO

Céline Marie is an Austrian DJ/producer and singer- songwriter, as well as the founder and owner of her record label Beat Manufactory (est. 2024) and its sub-labels Beatopia and Beatastic Records (est. 2025). Known for fearless experimentation — the essence of her unique style — her sets and productions stand for energy, precision, and versatility.

With a constantly evolving creative vision, Céline Marie pushes the boundaries of electronic music, taking her listeners on a captivating journey through her sonic universe like no other.

Website 

Spotify

Apple Music

Instagram

Ella Loretta Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music had another visitor! Ella Loretta is releasing a single this week that you won't want to miss. I was so excited that Ella wanted to visit with us to discuss the release, her future goals, and more! I'm sure you'll love what she had to say.

So, let's see what happens when Ella Loretta visits Section 36!

I am incredibly excited about your single “Really Do”. What can you tell me about it?

Really Do is a song about loving someone so much that you don’t understand how they could ever doubt it, and wanting to show them how worthy and special they are. It’s romantic, danceable, and feel-good. I write mostly on guitar, and this song started out the same way, in my childhood bedroom last year with a month left of summer to kill and my journal in front of me. The verses happened quickly over the same accoustic guitar part you hear in the final song. Then I reached a turning point and decided to think past writing the entire thing accoustically, as is usually my style, in favor of sitting down in front of my laptop to start producing the song as I was writing the rest of it. I was fresh out of my first year of music production classes in college and spent the rest of the summer working on the best demo of the song possible. The accoustic guitar, synth, and most of the background vocals from the final version of the song were all recorded that month in my room in Raleigh. The drum groove and many of the instrumental parts you hear are also based directly on my initial production. I sat on the demo for a few months, sending it in for different pitch opportunities and applications, until I got an email in January from Matt Rollings, a Grammy Award winning producer who wanted to produce my song during his visit to Berklee. That’s when everything was set into motion.

Do you have a favorite memory from the recording process?

This is where I have to give the biggest thank you to Matt and to Berklee, because what made this process so special is the trust, resources, and opportunity I was given. Recording in Berklee’s Studio 1 was surreal, it’s enormous (2,200 sq feet) and the piano you’re hearing is a Steinway Grand. I was the artist, writer and coproducer in an environment where so many people were there to participate in making my vision come to life. It was really pinch-me moment after pinch-me moment, everyone was so kind and phenomenally talented at what they were doing. We had the space and the equipment, so what you’re hearing is me and the band playing together on the same take, with very minimal editing. In the mixing room with Matt and Django Beaudoin, who was also wonderful to work with, my opinions and ear were valued and it was such an exciting creative back and forth to watch the whole thing develop and take shape. I really could not be more grateful.

You are currently attending Berklee College of Music. What made Berklee the right choice for you?

I was very close to pursuing a theatre degree, because musical theatre is and always will be a huge part of my life. I applied all over the place and was accepted into some great programs that focused on musical theatre, voice, or songwriting along with Berklee, but while coming to accepted students day here in Boston, Berklee really won me over. I was incredibly drawn to the opportunities here, I love the city, and what sealed the deal was that Berklee was ready to support every facet of my creative identity, without making me choose or sacrifice a part of what makes me the artist that I am. Fittingly, I’m now double majoring in Vocal Performance and Songwriting with a double minor in Musical Theatre Performance and Musical Theatre Writing.

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical inspiration?

Such a hard question, and I have so many, but Billie Eilish is someone I have absolutely idolized and looked up to for a really long time. Her first album came out on my thirteenth birthday when I was on a choir trip to Disney World and I listened for every second of the bus ride to Florida. I find her career so inspiring and the way she chooses to navigate the industry is extremely admirable. I could go on and on, but she is absolutely brilliant. I tend to gravitate towards multi-hyphenates, creatives who can kill it at more than one thing, since that’s the dream career for me as a singer, songwriter, and actress. Billie is in that camp for me along with other amazing artists like Reneé Rapp, Sarah Bareilles, Lizzy McAlpine, Lin Manuel Miranda, Barbara Streisand, and honestly, a large swath of the Stranger Things Cast.

You had the chance to play Ursula in a theatre production of The Little Mermaid. What was that experience like?

I love that you asked me this! I played Ursula in 2023 and it’s one of my all time favorite chracters I’ve ever stepped into. I had incredible hair, makeup, and costuming during that production, which is why you can find pictures of me as Ursula on my website. Shoutout Koko Thornton, the best director and costumer out there. I always say playing Ursula was like being a celebrity; I got to walk out onstage to applause before having done a single thing because people already have such a strong connection to the character. It was amazing, and I had so much fun being evil and fabulous. I was also a finalist for Best Actress at the Triangle Rising Star Awards (now the DPAC Rising Star Awards) for my performance, which was its own awesome experience.

What are your immediate musical goals?

I’m really excited to be achieving a big one with this release and want to make the most of it. I’m ready to play more gigs of my own music in Boston and in Raleigh this summer. I’m finding my rhythm with social media, and I’ve got the song coming out after this one lined up so I’m gonna work hard to make that happen next and record some more songs while we’re at it. Every day that I have the opportunity to train at Berklee is a day I’m preparing for the world outside of it, and I’m so thankful for everyone who is supporting me and my artistry along the way. You won’t regret it!

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I know I don't regret it!

As always, I want to thank Ella for visiting with us, and for sending along the pictures to accompany the interview. 

I'm sure you’ll all want to follow her and see what she has going on. Here are the best places to find her:

Website

Instagram

Spotify

Apple Music

TikTok

YouTube

Thanks again Ella, and good luck reaching your goals!

New Music from Allison Leah, Alex Skye, Sarah Suarez, Ava Dallas, Haley Montelaro, Stephània, and Sabrina Ponte

"I Didn't Know I Was Growing Up" - by Allison Leah

Release Date: May 1 2026

What You Should Know: "I’ve had this song in my pocket for over a year now and have been waiting for the right moment, and grad season just felt right. This song is also the first single off my NEW EP, Mirror, releasing this summer. It’s a 5 song collection of reflections, musings on growing up, and self-identity. These five songs are some of the most vulnerable I’ve ever written & sharing them right now feels so right. "

Find It: Spotify, and Apple

Her Spotify Playlist Inclusions: "It's 2026 in Section 36", "Women Going Places, from Section 36"

Previous Noteworthy Releases: "What I'm Missing", "24 Years Down", "Sorry For Myself", "i gave u my number"

Previously on Section 36: "Allison Leah Visits Section 36 Music!", "Allison Leah's 36 Favorite Things"

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"Never Have I Ever" - by Alex Skye

Release Date: April 30, 2026

What You Should Know: "This song is a hyper-pop, dance, house song that is for an upcoming project… BUT I am releasing it under my name first. Here is a break from the sad indie folk"

Find It: Everywhere, like Apple and Spotify

Spotify Playlist Inclusions: "It's 2026 in Section 36", "Women Going Places, from Section 36"

Previously on Section 36: "Alex Skye Visits Section 36 Music!"

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"Hairline Fracture" - by Sarah Suarez

Release Date: May 1, 2026

Find It: Everywhere, like Apple and Spotify

Spotify Playlist Inclusions: "It's 2026 in Section 36", "Women Going Places, from Section 36"

Previously on Section 36: "Sarah Suarez Visits Section 36 Music!"

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"Easy" - by Ava Dallas

Release Date: May 1, 2026

Find It: Everywhere, like Apple and Spotify

Spotify Playlist Inclusions: "It's 2026 in Section 36", "Women Going Places, from Section 36"

Previously on Section 36: "Ava Dallas Visits Section 36 Music!"

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"Out of Our Control" - by Haley Montelaro

Release Date: May 1, 2026

What You Should Know: "I cannot express how surreal this is. My younger self knew she wanted to be an artist and a songwriter, but didn't know how to get there. Every year of middle and high school I would say "This is the year I'll release music" but had no idea what steps to take.

Now at the age of 19 I can say I have 9 tracks out, 6 of which are in this EP. Life is crazy."

Find It: Everywhere, like Apple and Spotify

Spotify Playlist Inclusions: "It's 2026 in Section 36", "Women Going Places, from Section 36"

Previously on Section 36: "Haley Montelaro Visits Section 36 Music!"

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"Every Kind of Way" - by Stephània

Release Date: May 1, 2026

Find It: Everywhere, like  Apple or Spotify

Her Spotify Playlist Inclusions: "It's 2026 in Section 36", "Women Going Places, from Section 36"

Previously on Section 36: "Stephània Visits Section 36 Music!"

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"Back In Boston" - by Sabrina Ponte 

Release Date: May 1, 2026

What You Should Know: A version of this song like you've never heard before!

Find It: Spotify or Apple

Her Spotify Playlist Inclusions: "Songs that Cover the Bases", "It's 2025 In Section 36", "Women Going Places, from Section 36"

Previously on Section 36: "Sabrina Ponte Visits Section 36 Music!"