Shawn Vougeot, on of three Cofounders of New World Women, is also an accomplished vocal performer and classical violinist. While attending the University of Minnesota to obtain her bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1997, she played violin with the University Symphony Orchestra.  

After college graduation, Shawn landed numerous gigs singing the National Anthem and French-Canadian Anthem at multiple Major League baseball games while writing, arranging and locally recording her solo debut album “Streets,” which was released in 1997.  

She snagged a major honor in 2003 when she won the national competition The Great American Songwriting Contest with “Walls of Glass,” a song she co-wrote with music industry producer. Dave Pickell. By coincidence they won the same competition two years later for their song “Let It Burn.”  

In her own pop rock style, Shawn sang and played violin, locally with her band, She Has Issues until 2014. During this time, She Has Issues also recorded 12 television episodes of "Backstage," at Town Square Television (produced by Dan Mundt).  

Shawn continues to offer violin performances for local events and weddings while focusing on her passion for empowering women through New World Women.  

She attributes all of her musical success to the loving and encouraging support of her mother, Kari Turnbladh Simkins, and her brother, Jordan Simkins, both for whom she will forever be grateful.