Cindy Charles, Twitch's head of innovative music, has tragically passed away, a member of her team announced today.
Charles succumbed to injuries sustained in a traffic accident in Amsterdam, according to a blog post shared by Kira Karlstrom, Head of Music Label Relations at Twitch. Along with Karlstrom, Charles was scheduled to moderate a panel during the Amsterdam Dance Event, the world's largest electronic music summit.
“It is with great sadness that I share the tragic news of the passing of Cindy Charles earlier this week in a traffic accident in Amsterdam,” writes Karlstrom. “Cindy was more than just Twitch's head of music — she was the heart and soul of our team and a force for good in everything she touched.”
A visionary changemaker at the intersection of music and technology, Charles has redefined how artists and creators engage with audiences on Twitch. She continues to be revered for leading Twitch's record label relationships and music licensing operations, fostering an ecosystem that allows musicians to thrive on the platform.
Her innovative approach has positioned her as a pioneer, recognized for breaking barriers in a rapidly evolving music industry. Championing the global electronic music community, Charles was instrumental in developing Twitch's pioneering DJ category, a breakthrough that established the company as the first major service to provide a long-term home for DJs to stream live legally.
Charles was also a fierce advocate for women in the music industry. The late executive co-founded the San Francisco chapter of She Is The Music and Women in Digital.a community of over 1,500 members with a mission to “help women define a limitless future for all by shedding light on careers in digital and technology.”
“I will never forget being with Cindy at the JFK Delta Lounge on Sunday night, just before leaving for Amsterdam, the night before she passed away,” Karlstrom recalls. “We reflected on everything we had accomplished (the success of the DJ show, the Charlix that all my life's work has been worth it. I'm making a difference for artists.”
we in EDM.com We express our sincere condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Cindy Charles.
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