UPDATE: Sound Talent Group, Families Share Additional Information On Those Who Perished In San Diego Crash

Additional information has been released on those who lost their lives in a Thursday morning plane crash in San Diego, with Sound Talent Group identifying the two other employees along with co-founder Dave Shapiro as Kendall Fortner and Emma Huke, both booking coordinates for the talent agency.

“The Sound Talent Group is still dealing with the pain of losing our friends and colleagues, but with the permission of their loved ones, we wanted to share the stories of Dave Shapiro, Emma Huke and Kendall Fortner to celebrate their lives and what they meant to us, our clients and the music industry as a whole,” a Sound Talent Group spokesperson shared with Pollstar in a release Friday evening.

The rest of the release is posted in full below.

Dave Shapiro

Dave was born in Albany, moved to San Diego, and fell in love with Alaska where he began living in 2020.   

He started his music journey as a drummer, then was an agent for more than 20 years while also launching several successful businesses as an entrepreneur. Dave worked with Matt Andersen and Tim Borror at United Talent Agency before launching their own company, Sound Talent Group, in 2018.

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.

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.

Kendall Fortner

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 Justin and his wife Hannah and their son, Theo, and her brother Jordan and his wife Kailey.

Emma Lynn Huke

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.