This is part four of a four-part series where we dive into the sections of our mission statement.

At the heart of our mission is a commitment to expanding opportunities for youth who have historically been excluded from traditional music spaces. As music is a communal art form, at Seattle JazzED, we believe in the importance of building lasting connections rooted in community.

Our mission extends beyond individual skill development, emphasizing the importance of relationships rooted in a shared love for music. We are dedicated to creating a vibrant and collaborative network among our students, educators, and the wider Seattle community. Together, we forge relationships that inspire growth, provide support, and foster a sense of belonging.

Lasting Connection Rooted in Community…

…With Students

The instruments a student plays are not just tools; they evolve into extensions of their identity. This personal attachment to their instrument goes beyond simply playing. When students come together to play in a room, rapport builds. The connection to their instruments, the music, and each other grows, creating an immersive experience that transcends a typical music classroom.

The people students play with become a safe space. Students not only have fun, but they build bonds and friendships that can extend beyond the classroom.

In just a few weeks, students from our Girls Ellington Project are coordinating and hosting a Femme Jazz Day for female, queer, trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive youth. It’s an event where students build community and link with others just like them through jazz, improvisation, and candid conversations.

…With Educators

The commitment to building lasting connections extends to the educators who teach our students. Seattle JazzED brings teachers from diverse backgrounds, balancing the number of femme and BIPOC educators, in each classroom to enrich the educational landscape. Each teacher’s unique lived experiences offer perspectives that contribute to a holistic learning environment.

What sets JazzED apart is the camaraderie among teachers. As they collaborate and educate students together, they form more than just professional relationships. Teachers start calling each other for gigs, building a network that extends beyond the classroom.

…With Partners

We recognize the importance of bridging gaps and proudly offer year-long after-school and multi-week enrichment programs to support students’ musical journeys across the region. This programming was developed and implemented after emerging from the pandemic in response to community needs identified through 1:1 conversation with community partners and organizations.

Community-based programming allows us to remove barriers that often prevent some students from participating in traditional art spaces that are often logistically and/or cost prohibitive. -Nicole Harvey, Seattle JazzED’s Deputy Director

Through collaboration with partners, we promote a shared commitment to the value of arts education. For example, we offer Jazz Storytime where we introduce babies and toddlers to literacy skills in a positive, social environment. In Intro to Ukulele, students learn how to hold a tune, play songs by ear, and deepen their love of music through the lens of jazz and Black American songs.

These partnerships with schools and community organizations help us bring an active music-making curriculum to youth across the region. It provides resources to these youth and fosters a sense of belonging and community among those who share our vision. Together, we work together to expose youth through jazz music education.

Want to partner with us? Explore different programs we can bring to your school or organization here.