I’m sure by now everyone in the music industry has heard of the tragedy that’s struck Sound Talent Group. Co-founder Dave Shapiro, alongside two booking associates, Emma Lynn Huke and Kendall Fortner, were killed in a plane crash on May 22nd, 2025. It didn’t stop there as Daniel Williams (former drummer for Devil Wears Prada), Celina Kenyon (a photographer and a mother), and Dominic Damien (a good friend of Shapiro who was a software engineer and a decorated Jiu-Jitsu athlete) were also aboard the flight. The level of tragedy that has struck from this event has made a ripple in the music industry.
Dave Shapiro, 42, co-founded Sound Talent Group in 2018 alongside Tim Borror. Shapiro also had his pilot license and was a flight instructor at his own company, Velocity Aviation, where he also offered flight services of his own. Dave has a large hand in the music industry, which is why it’s caused such a ripple in the recent days and taken over our feeds from our favorite bands. Shapiro represented bands like Sum 41, Pierce The Veil, and Vanessa Carlton (though there are an overwhelming number of more bands that he’s had a part in helping to where they are today). The company has offices in San Diego, New York, & Nashville. His bio on their site included lines like “Dave’s superpower was his ability to recognize new talent, work with their unique skills and sound, and give them the counsel and resources to make a living in the music industry. Some of your favorite bands wouldn’t be on your playlists right now without Dave” and “Dave impacted the lives of countless people in the music industry, but on a personal level, he was the best friend you could ever want – funny, full of life, always passionate about music, and never jaded. He was the guy that would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.” Dave is survived by his wife, Julia, his sister, Jennifer, and his beloved dogs, Amigo, Juneau and Monster.
Emma Huke, 25, a young booking associate at Sound Talent Group sounds like she was such a bright light to any room she was in. I don’t want to be too generic, given all the other news outlets of course only have that kind of information, but I personally have a small connection with these people. I have a friend who works at Sound Talent Group, and I have seen Dave, Emma and Kendall living life and making moves for the music industry on my social media timeline for years now. The life that she had ahead of her was so bright and filled with incredible achievements. Sound Talent Group shared this bio for Emma’s family and since I know I won’t be able to write anything near this, I’ll let them tell you a little more about her; “Born and raised in Orange County, CA, Emma knew from a young age that she wanted to work in the music industry. An avid dancer, she was part of a national championship-winning dance team at Santa Margarita Catholic High School. After graduating from the University of Oregon in 2022 with a degree in journalism, Emma completed several internships in the music industry before joining Sound Talent Group in 2024 as a booking associate.
There was nothing Emma loved more than live music. She worked hard to save up money so she could travel to concerts and festivals. And while she loved all genres of music, her favorite artists to see live were Taylor Swift and The 1975.
Emma also brought that passion for live music to her work. She was smart and organized, helping STG plan and promote their biggest tours. Clients and friends called Emma a force of nature, and she was a beautiful soul who brought joy and a light to everyone in her presence.” Emma is survived by her parents, Tim and Allison, and her younger sibling, Ellis.
Kendall Fortner, 24, was also a young booking associate at Sound Talent Group. The company shared a beautiful bio on behalf of her family that I couldn’t bear to find anything else to try to top; “Ever since Kendall’s father took her to concerts at a young age, she was hooked on music. From 1950s’ doo-wop to classic rock, Green Day to Ed Sheeran, Kendall loved it all. She taught herself to play a variety of instruments, including piano and guitar.
Born in Glendale, CA, and raised in Santa Clarita, Kendall attended West Ranch High School before graduating from San Diego State University in 2021 with a degree in business. Having interned with Sound Talent Group in college, Kendall joined the company right after graduation as a booking associate.
As early as her teenage years, Kendall had shown an interest in working on the business side of music, and the job at STG was a perfect fit that showcased her work ethic and ability to plan tours and festivals nationwide.
Fiercely independent and strong-willed, Kendall was the life of the party and lit up any room she entered.” She is survived by her parents Gary and Kristin, her brother Jordan and his wife Kailey, and her brother Justin, his wife Hannah, and their son, Theo.
Daniel Williams, 39, was the former drummer of the metal band The Devil Wears Prada. The band took to Instagram to post a carousel of photos of the band at various points with Williams and Shapiro with the caption,”<3 no words. We owe you everything. Love you forever.” Williams left The Devil Wears Prada in 2016 and became a software engineer for a big tech company.
Dominic Damien, 41, was a longtime friend of Shapiro’s and often flew out with him to go see shows. He was a decorated Ju-Jitsu fighter having won multiple awards, defeating and/or going up against some of the best in the world. He was a software engineer at the time of his death. Fellow athletes at The Training Center in Pacific Beach spoke to Fox 5 News, including his instructor and friend, Barret Yoshida. “Since 2007, Baret Yoshida would train with Damian as his instructor and said they became friends… Damian would regularly travel with his friends in the music industry to watch their shows. “I knew that those were like his best friends,” Yoshida said… He said he learned Damian was aboard the plane that crashed after Damian’s wife messaged him with the news. ‘I couldn’t believe it was real,’ Yoshida said. ‘Even now, it’s still settling in, you know, because just the other week, we’re watching Dom hit home runs over the fence.”… Damian, a black belt and accomplished Jiu Jitsu fighter, won several major awards, including silver and bronze at the World Jiu Jitsu Championships…Yoshida said his lasting legacy won’t be forgotten. The Training Center plans to host an open mat at their location on Memorial Day in honor of Damian.”
Celina Kenyon, 36, a photographer and a mother. She often would take trips to go take photos for and support friends in the music industry. She had decided to take the private flight home with friends rather than a commercial flight so she could get home early in time to take her daughter to school the next morning. Her father, Bryan Charles Feldman, shared this on her behalf; “Celina Kenyon (36 years old) was taken from us Thursday morning May 22nd. Celina was an amazing mother, daughter, sister, granddaughter, partner and friend. After flying out to photograph and support her long time friends, she decided to fly home to San Diego with other crew and friends on a late night private flight rather than a commercial flight so she could get home early to take her daughter to school. Celina has always been loved and respected in her professional photography career and beyond. Family is everything to her…Our family is devastated beyond these words. The world has lost a beautiful bright light.” She is survived by her daughter and partner, her parents, as well as countless family members.
It’s tragedies like this that really put life into perspective for everyone around it. I can only assume (as I’ve never asked, nor had the heart to ask in light of this event) that Dave had some part in my own media passes that I’ve received. If it weren’t for Dave and STG family, I wouldn’t have 2-3 of the big-name bands that I do under my belt as a photographer, and I can promise you it has been a huge reason I’m still fighting to achieve that dream.
The Wonder Years also took to Instagram to write their own beautiful tribute to their agent, and I feel this was something that should also be shared, because they really do an amazing job describing what a beautiful soul Dave was to the music industry; @thewonderyearsband on Instagram, “I’m sure that, at this point, you’ve come across some of the memorials for Dave Shapiro—maybe even on our personal pages. And I need you to know every word you’ve read was true. Dave was our agent for 15 years. He believed in us when no one else did. He brought us to you, put us in front of you, and backed our vision at every turn. He took chances and supported indie promoters, DIY venues, brand new artists, all of it. When no one else would give you a shot, Dave would.
But he was more than our agent. He was our friend. He was at my wedding. He took the guys skydiving (I was too afraid). We talked nearly every day over the span of several decades. He read our lyrics at his mom’s funeral. I was really depressed during the pandemic and I later sussed out that Dave had organized a bunch of our mutual friends to call and check in on me. Back in 2010, when we were about to give up, he talked us out of quitting.
We’re heartbroken. For him. For poor Kendall and Emma who were so young and so smart and had such bright futures. For everyone else on that plane. For Julia (we love you so much). For Morgan (we love you so much). For Tobin (we love you so much). For everyone else at Sound Talent and everyone in this industry because everyone’s life was impacted by Dave. If you’re reading this, you probably know the words to our songs, but if there is a heaven, I’m sure Dave and Pilot are getting ready for a BASE jump right now.”
This ripple effect will be felt for some time, more so by Sound Talent Group, his bands and all of the closely involved loved ones, but I think it’s safe for me to say that our hearts here at Dying Scene go out to everyone involved and impacted by this heartbreaking event. We love you all and thank you for everything you all have done for this industry.
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