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Jazzhers was founded to address the persistent gender disparity in jazz education and performance.
Jazzhers was founded to address the persistent gender disparity in jazz education and performance.
While participation in jazz is roughly equal in middle schools across the U.S., representation of girls and nonbinary students declines sharply as students advance: only 15–25% of high school participants are young women or nonbinary, and fewer than 10% continue into college and professional levels. At state festivals, it is not uncommon to see only one girl in an entire ensemble.
While participation in jazz is roughly equal in middle schools across the U.S., representation of girls and nonbinary students declines sharply as students advance: only 15–25% of high school participants are young women or nonbinary, and fewer than 10% continue into college and professional levels. At state festivals, it is not uncommon to see only one girl in an entire ensemble.
This loss of representation is not due to lack of talent or interest, but to structural barriers: stereotype threat, limited role models, and the absence of inclusive spaces that affirm girls’ and nonbinary students’ belonging in jazz. Without intentional intervention, a vibrant pool of students is excluded from full participation in one of America’s most important cultural traditions.
This loss of representation is not due to lack of talent or interest, but to structural barriers: stereotype threat, limited role models, and the absence of inclusive spaces that affirm girls’ and nonbinary students’ belonging in jazz. Without intentional intervention, a vibrant pool of students is excluded from full participation in one of America’s most important cultural traditions.
Our Approach
Jazzhers was created in 2018 to break this cycle through a two-part strategy:
Our Approach
Jazzhers was created in 2018 to break this cycle through a two-part strategy:
Affinity Spaces for Girls and Nonbinary Students – Our clinics, ensembles, and leadership opportunities provide safe and supportive environments where students can build confidence, reduce stereotype threat, and see themselves as capable jazz musicians.
Affinity Spaces for Girls and Nonbinary Students – Our clinics, ensembles, and leadership opportunities provide safe and supportive environments where students can build confidence, reduce stereotype threat, and see themselves as capable jazz musicians.
Inclusive Community Integration – We deliberately connect affinity spaces back into the broader jazz ecosystem. For example, our one-day clinics culminate in inclusive jam sessions that combine the host school (majority male) bands with our affinity groups for a musical performance and celebration; our festivals feature diverse professional ensembles made up of women-led or women majority groups modeling equity and diversity in action.
Inclusive Community Integration – We deliberately connect affinity spaces back into the broader jazz ecosystem. For example, our one-day clinics culminate in inclusive jam sessions that combine the host school (majority male) bands with our affinity groups for a musical performance and celebration; our festivals feature diverse professional ensembles made up of women-led or women majority groups modeling equity and diversity in action.
Jazzhers is dedicated to driving change in the jazz community by advocating for and empowering young women, non-binary and other underrepresented musicians with a focus on mentorship, performance and connection.
Jazzhers is dedicated to driving change in the jazz community by advocating for and empowering young women, non-binary and other underrepresented musicians with a focus on mentorship, performance and connection.
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