The Femme Ellington Project is Seattle’s all-femme, all-city jazz band
Our commitment to women in jazz is stronger than ever
The Femme Ellington Project, formerly known as the Girls Ellington Project, was renamed based on group members' encouragement to better reflect their vision for the ensemble. This ensemble is specifically designed for individuals who have historically been marginalized due to their gender identity. We welcome girls, nonbinary, and gender-expansive jazz musicians to join us in celebrating the joy of jazz music. The hope is to create more inclusive spaces for young people to create music and connect with one another.
ELIGIBILITY
Girls, nonbinary, and gender-expansive jazz musicians in grades 9 through 12
ADDITIONAL CRITERIA
Our program is designed to accommodate students with a wide range of jazz music experience, from those who are just starting their jazz journey to those with prior experience. Note that jazz experience is not required.
All participants must be comfortable reading sheet music.
Musicians of all backgrounds and instruments, including vocalists, are encouraged to apply.
If you are also a member of a high school ensemble applying to the Essentially Ellington Festival, please be aware that priority will be given to your high school band ensemble should both ensembles be invited as finalists.
Pre-performance power posing
SCHEDULE
Fall - Winter Quarter:
September 30, 2025 - March 17, 2026
Meets weekly on Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 PM
RECORDING SESSIONS
Ensemble will record for Essentially Ellington in mid-December
LOCATION
Ensemble rehearses at 380 Boren Ave N Seattle, WA 98109 in the South Lake Union neighborhood, unless otherwise noted. Click here for a map.
SLIDING SCALE TUITION
We believe that every student who wants to play should get to play. That’s why we offer a variety of tuition levels for our programming.
We encourage you to select the option that’s best for your family at this time.
$1050: Mutual Aid Supporter + Standard Tuition
$830: Pay It Forward + Standard Tuition
$700: Tuition Level A - Standard Tuition
$530: Tuition Level B
$350: Tuition Level C
$130: Tuition Level D
Because this is a two-quarter class, please contact us if you would like to make alternate payment plan arrangements to divide your tuition payment into more than three payments.
If you’re unable to pay for tuition at any level at this time, we want you in our classes! Please click here to request a code for our no-tuition option. No questions asked, no info required.
If you’re able to choose a level that is above standard tuition, your support will go even farther to ensure:
Every student has access to JazzED programs, regardless of their ability to pay.
Teaching artists can earn a livable wage while mentoring and inspiring our next generation of musicians.
Matt Wilson ajudicates Girls ellington project in reno
“The Girls Ellington Project is the best thing I have heard at this conference. You welcomed us in! You trust each other. You truly share the song with each other.”
REGISTRATION
You will have the option of choosing your tuition on the registration check-out page. At checkout, you will have the option to pay in full or select a payment plan option to break the tuition payment into a deposit plus three payments spread over three months.
After registering, you should receive a confirmation email from our online registration system Active.com. If you don't receive a confirmation email from Active.com, please contact us to ensure we have your registration.
Please review our refund policy.
Questions?
If you have any questions about this program, or you need assistance with registration or sliding-scale tuition, please email programs@seattlejazzed.org and one of our program staff will be happy to help!
“I would recommend the Girls Ellington Project to any young woman as an opportunity to become both impassioned and empowered in what it truly means to be a female jazz musician. This ensemble gave me female jazz role models that I can look up to. I will forever be grateful for all of the lessons and support that this ensemble has given me.”
“The Girls Ellington Project has empowered me as a woman through all steps of life. I feel more confident to take solos in jazz band. I have also learned that when I feel left out because of my gender, I can always find another woman who’s been through the same problems. I felt alone in my struggles with jazz until the Girls Ellington Project.”
