Learn more about this year's She Rises music festival

One woman’s mission to provide a platform for female artists, set against the backdrop of Taos’ beauty, is back for its third year.

All rise for the She Rises III music festival, Thursday, July 17, to Saturday, July 19, in Taos.

The festival was founded by Andrea Magee, who says she wants to give female musicians who might not have had the spotlight before a platform.

“It’s an opportunity to go, ‘Hey, look at these new artists that you might not have heard of yet. They’re going to blow your mind,’” Magee says. “Because of the caliber and the standard and the versatility and the vibrance of them, it’s just given a platform for artists to showcase what they’re putting their whole lives into.”

Shae Fiol, cofounder of Flor de Toloache, will be performing at the festival with her band after a solo act last year. Fiol is an alumna of the University of New Mexico and feels a connection being back in the area.

“It’s always really special, and always trippy to realize that I wrote my first songs here as a college student,” Fiol says. “To be coming full circle, when I get to perform and share that with people, it always feels very special.”

Magee says the journey has been exciting, albeit a little nerve-wracking, but that the festival is starting to take shape into its own thing.

“This year, it feels like it’s really solidified itself, and it’s standing on its own feet, and I feel genuinely very excited,” Magee says. “... What I’ve recognized is that the people who are choosing to be a part of this mission-led festival really believe in it with every beat of their heart.”

The mission of the festival, according to the website, is “to empower female artists, foster community connection and create lasting impact by supporting Music Helps nonprofit programs.”

Magee is the founder of the nonprofit Music Helps, whose goal, she says, is to help children who have suffered abuse and trauma learn to utilize the healing power of music.

“Festivals are beautiful, just standalone music festivals, but this one, we’ve got a mission, and I think that that gives it a little bit more depth, and that’s why it’s attracting the right people,” Magee says.

The festival spans three days and has over a dozen female artists performing. Fiol says she wants new artists at the festival to remember not to stress and take advantage of the chance to meet fellow musicians.

“Know that everyone’s there in support of everyone, and it’s a very welcoming space. So if you have any walls up or your guard up, let it down and be yourself and have fun,” Fiol said.

Prior to being at the festival, Fiol’s band, Flor de Toloache, will be performing in Santa Fe at San Miguel Chapel on Wednesday, July 16, and in Albuquerque at the National Hispanic Cultural Center on Thursday, July 17.

Magee says she felt the empowering effect of the festival after the inaugural event.

“We’re really just building a festival that is a community (and) that actually taps into feeling like you belong, feeling like you’re seen,” Magee said. “And I think that when you witness people celebrating each other, you can’t help but feel good.”

Learn more about this year's She Rises music festival