The Girls Ellington Project is Seattle’s all-girl, all-city jazz band
Our commitment to women in jazz is stronger than ever
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.”
“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.”
ELIGIBILITY
This ensemble is specifically designed for individuals who have historically been marginalized due to their gender identity. We welcome girls and gender-expansive jazz musicians in grades 8 through 12 to join us in celebrating the joy of jazz music.
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.
Sheet music will be utilized during the program. 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:
October 3, 2023 - March 12, 2024
Weekly on Tuesdays
6:00-8:00 PM
RECORDING SESSIONS
Ensemble will record for Essentially Ellington, dates TBD
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 are committed to this program being financially accessible for ALL families.
Your tuition payment helps cover the cost of renting class space and paying our educators a fair wage, as well as classroom supplies, sheet music, etc.
Choose an amount that sits meaningfully within your budget:
$1600 (full tuition)
$1200 (25% off)
$800 (50% off)
$400 (75% off)
$0 (FREE)
You will have the option of choosing your tuition on the registration check-out page. Be sure to select the payment plan option if you want to break your payments up. Please note you will also have the option of paying your chosen amount in full if you prefer.
If you'd like to pay a different sliding scale amount than the options here, fill out our easy online form, and we'll send you a custom tuition code.
You can also read our refund policy (recommended).
MEET THE DIRECTORS
Abbey Blackwell is a multi-faceted double and electric bassist in Seattle, WA. She tours consistently with bands, performs her solo guitar music around town, and performs regularly with all sorts of contemporary musicians. Additionally, Abbey holds a master's degree in Jazz and Improvised Music and a bachelor’s of music in Double Bass Performance from the University of Washington.
Marissa Kall is a Classically & Jazz trained, third-generation Mexican American trumpet player from Chicago, IL. She earned her B.A. in Instrumental K-12 Music Ed. from the University of Illinois. As well as studying Classical Trumpet at the IES Conservatory in Vienna, Austria.
Post graduation, she became an Instrumental Music Director in Glenview, IL. in which she focused on the recruitment, inclusion & education of the BIPOC & underprivileged students. She was the first female in her family to earn a Masters Degree in Instructional Ed. Tech. During the pandemic she saved an instrumental music program for thousands of kids by writing & winning a 35K grant.
For the past seven years Marissa has been teaching, performing and climbing mountains in Washington! Currently an in demand studio and freelance performer, playing with Banda Vagos, Dugdale Big Band, & a budding film composer.
Audrey Stangland is a Washington raised trombone player, vocalist and teacher. She grew up immersed in music as a child of two band directors. Singing was her first love while she later found her voice through the trombone. She plays a huge array of styles including jazz, salsa, banda, ska and soul, in addition to being classically trained on the bass trombone.
Audrey attended Central Washington University where she got a Bachelor of Arts in music. She has extensive experience playing in big bands on both lead and bass trombone, and was a member of Central’s award winning Jazz Band 1 that played at the Monterey Jazz Festival in 2015.
Audrey is now a teacher at Seattle JazzED as well as out in Seattle’s community, while simultaneously gigging and touring. She is dedicated to helping students build confidence and life skills through playing music and finding their own voice!
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!
“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.”
