At MelodyMatch, we believe in spotlighting producers and engineers who are doing more than just shaping sound—they’re reshaping the culture. Angie sat down with Rona, the founder of Haven Studios, to talk about her journey from choirgirl to studio owner, her deep-rooted passion for production, and how she’s creating a high-quality, inclusive space where artists can truly thrive.
Can you share a bit about your background and how you first got into music?
Music has always been a central thread in Rona’s life. She started singing in church choir as a child and later picked up both the flute and piano. But her path became more focused when she moved to London to study Vocal Performance at BIMM.
Though performance was her initial calling, things shifted when she began learning audio engineering and production for her own music. While completing her MA at Tileyard, she discovered that her true passion wasn’t on the stage—it was behind the scenes, shaping sound. “That’s where my passion really was,” she says. “More than performing.”
What were some of your earliest influences or inspirations in music?
Growing up, Rona’s household was a genre-blending melting pot. “My parents listened to such a crazy mix—Led Zeppelin, Michael Jackson, Eurythmics,” she recalls. Those eclectic sounds laid the foundation for her own wide-ranging taste, which spans R&B, Drum & Bass, and Metal.
Her influences as a producer are just as diverse. “It’s hard to say specific artists because my music listening is all over the place,” she laughs. But if she had to name a few, she’d point to Timbaland, 6lack, BANKS, Burial, and Chase & Status—a list that reflects her love of texture, mood, and boundary-pushing production.
What inspired you to start this studio, and what was the vision behind it?
For Rona, founding Haven Studios was as much about survival as it was about sound. “As an artist, what pushed me into engineering was the lack of female representation and a few toxic and traumatic experiences,” she explains. “I realised it wasn’t ever going to change unless we did something about it ourselves.”
That spark of necessity turned into a powerful idea during lockdown—a studio that would be both a safe space for women and LGBTQIA+ artists, and a high-quality production environment where no one had to compromise between comfort and professionalism. Haven Studios officially opened its doors in 2022.
What kind of artists do you usually work with, and how do you approach helping them achieve their sound?
Haven Studios welcomes all types of artists, but places intentional priority on women and LGBTQIA+ creators. As the lead engineer and producer, Rona works across genres, while also curating a network of collaborators to match artists with the right sound. “We have a list of producers we can outsource to,” she says. “If I feel someone’s sound would best suit another producer, we make sure that happens.”
The collaborative energy doesn’t stop there. When live instrumentation is needed, Rona’s partner Naomi Forbes—a session drummer and multi-instrumentalist—steps in to bring that organic edge, while Rona handles engineering, mixing, and mastering.
More than anything, the process is rooted in care. “I always say the studio is like your own personal therapy session,” Rona says. “Anything that’s said in the studio stays in the studio. That’s why it’s so important to feel safe and comfortable—because that’s when you’ll create your best art.”
Have you had any memorable sessions or breakthrough moments with artists at your studio?
“There are so many,” Rona smiles, “but one that stood out recently was with an artist who had never recorded in a studio before.”
They had just wrapped her very first song, and the moment was deeply emotional. “She was overwhelmed with happiness, and I think I almost started crying with her,” Rona shares. “There was something about that moment—the realisation that she really could do this—that was so beautiful. It reminded me why I started this journey.”
It’s moments like these that fuel Rona’s mission at Haven: helping artists step fully into their power, one track at a time.
At MelodyMatch, we’re honoured to highlight producers like Rona—those who aren’t just making incredible music, but also creating the kind of environments where artistry can flourish.
MelodyMatch is an online marketplace designed to connect independent artists with recording studios, producers, and engineers that fit their needs and budget. Our platform simplifies the search and booking process, offering a curated list of studios with clear pricing, available engineers, and genre specializations.
But we’re more than just an online marketplace—we’re building a community. We believe in investing back into the artist ecosystem, and our blog is a key part of that mission. Through exclusive features and behind-the-scenes stories, we’re showcasing the people and spaces that bring music to life.
We’d love to have you be part of it.
If you’re a studio, engineer, or producer, there’s an opportunity to sign up as a service provider on our platform—making it easier for artists to discover and book your services directly.
Let’s collaborate and build something incredible together.
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