local storiesJune 1, 2026

Conversations with Gabrielle Mayfield

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabrielle Mayfield.

Hi Gabrielle, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Creativity and music have always been a major part of who I am. Before stepping into the world of DJing and music production, I spent 16 years as a trained dancer. Dance was my first introduction to performance and creative expression, and through those years I developed a deep appreciation for how music can influence emotion, energy, and connection between people. As I grew older, I realized that while I loved dance, the music behind it was what truly inspired me most. That realization ultimately led me toward pursuing a career in music.

I began attending raves and festivals at a young age, and I quickly connected with the sense of community, creativity, and individuality within EDM culture. What started as admiration for the experience evolved into a personal goal of wanting to create those same experiences for others one day. About three years ago, I officially began my GEM project and started focusing seriously on DJing, music production, and creative development as an artist.

Since then, I have also curated eight “GEM & Friends” events centered around music, creativity, and community. One of the things I value most is using music as a platform to give back and create positive impact. During our Christmas 2024 event, we were able to donate over 100 toys to Oklahoma Family Network and contribute more than $700 worth of food to the Oklahoma Food Bank. Experiences like that reinforced for me that music events can be more than entertainment — they can create connection, support, and safe spaces for people from all backgrounds.

In addition to performing, I’ve had the opportunity to assist with event organization, marketing, and creative planning throughout Oklahoma City. Through these experiences, I discovered a strong passion not only for music, but also for building environments that feel welcoming, inclusive, and memorable. I believe the overall experience and energy created around an event is just as important as the music itself.

Currently, I’m balancing school, work, and my continued growth as an artist while developing my sound and long-term vision within the industry. My goal is to combine my background in performance, my passion for music, and my interest in creative production into a meaningful career in the music industry. Through the GEM project, I hope to continue growing as both an artist and creative professional while contributing something genuine and positive to the EDM community that inspired me in the first place.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the biggest challenges in my journey has been moving across the country to pursue both my education and my long-term goals within the music industry. Leaving behind everything familiar in Oklahoma and starting over in California pushed me far outside of my comfort zone, both personally and professionally. Balancing school, work, financial responsibilities, and my continued growth as an artist has required a lot of discipline, sacrifice, and resilience.

Building a career in music is not always a smooth or predictable path, especially while independently developing a project from the ground up. There have been moments of uncertainty, self-doubt, and learning how to navigate an industry that can be very competitive. At the same time, balancing creativity with real-life responsibilities has taught me the importance of consistency, adaptability, and staying focused on my long-term vision even during difficult periods.

Another challenge has been learning how to trust my own creative direction and remain authentic to myself as an artist. Over time, I’ve realized that the most meaningful experiences and connections happen when you stay genuine to your purpose and intentions. That mindset has continued to motivate me to create events and environments that feel safe, welcoming, and community-driven for everyone involved.

Although the journey has come with challenges, each obstacle has ultimately helped me grow stronger, more focused, and more determined to continue pursuing a meaningful career within music and creative production.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As an artist and creative, my work is centered around bringing people together through music and creating experiences that feel genuine, welcoming, and memorable. I specialize in DJing, event curation, and building an atmosphere where people can feel comfortable being themselves. My background as a dancer for 16 years played a huge role in shaping who I am creatively. Dance taught me how powerful music can be and how deeply it can connect with emotion, movement, and energy. Over time, I realized the music itself was what inspired me the most, which eventually led me into pursuing DJing and building the GEM project.

For the past three years, I’ve been growing the GEM project while continuing to develop my sound, creativity, and vision as an artist. Along the way, I’ve curated eight “GEM & Friends” events that focused not only on music but also on community and creating safe spaces for people. One of the things I’m most proud of was our Christmas 2024 event where we donated over 100 toys to Oklahoma Family Network and over $700 worth of food to the Oklahoma Food Bank. Being able to use music and events as a way to give back and positively impact others means a lot to me.

I think what sets me apart is the intention behind everything I create. I genuinely care about the experience people have and the feeling they leave with. I want people to feel included, inspired, safe, and connected when they come to my events or hear my music. I’ve also gained experience in event organization, marketing, branding, and creative direction which has helped me better understand both the artistic and professional sides of the industry.

Right now, I’m continuing to balance school, work, and my growth as an artist while building toward a long-term career in music and creative production. My overall goal is to continue combining music, community, and creativity into something meaningful that people can connect with.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I personally believe the music industry is going to continue becoming more community driven and experience focused over the next 5–10 years. People are starting to look for more than just a lineup or a performance now. They want connection, creativity, authenticity, and environments where they feel safe and included. I think that shift is going to continue growing, especially within EDM culture.

I also think artists are becoming more independent and creative with how they build their careers. Social media, streaming platforms, and technology have made it easier for artists to build their own brands and communities without fully relying on traditional industry paths. Because of that, I think individuality and authenticity are going to become even more important moving forward. Audiences connect most with artists who are genuine and intentional with what they create.

Another big shift I see is the blending of music with immersive experiences, visuals, fashion, art, and interactive production. Events are becoming more than concerts now — they’re full creative experiences. That’s something I’m personally really inspired by because I love the creative direction and community side of music just as much as the performance aspect.

At the same time, I think mental health, inclusivity, and harm reduction will continue becoming more important conversations within the industry. More artists, promoters, and event organizers are realizing the importance of creating spaces where people feel respected, supported, and safe. That’s something I hope to continue contributing to through my own events and creative projects.

Overall, I see the industry continuing to evolve into something more connected, immersive, and artist-driven, and I’m excited to grow alongside those changes.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
@kaytiemenzphotography & @madi.rae.jones on instagram

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