Shannon Rugani is a singer-songwriter, composer, and music producer whose work blends pop, electronic, and classical music. She began composing at age four and later emerged as EMPRESS®, singing, writing, producing, recording, and engineering all of her own music.
A former member of San Francisco Ballet (2004-2015) and an original cast member of the Tony Award–winning An American in Paris on Broadway, Shannon brings a rare performance depth to her vocal work. She released her debut EP in 2021 with Grammy-nominated producer Bart Schoudel, made her classical composing debut with The Window for Pacific Northwest Ballet in 2023, and composed a full-length ballet score, Marilyn, (about Marilyn Monroe’s life and legacy) for Oregon Ballet Theatre (2025).
She is also an award-winning filmmaker, writer, and a mother whose life and artistry continue to evolve together.
