Celebrating Student Expression at Seattle JazzED

This is part three of a four-part series where we dive into the sections of our mission statement.  
Read part one and two.  

At Seattle JazzED, part of our mission is to celebrate the artistic voices of our students. We foster a supportive and nurturing environment that encourages musicians to discover their individual style, experiment with improvisation, and fearlessly express themselves through their instruments. By honoring and amplifying their voices, we not only cultivate exceptional musicians but also instill confidence and self-assurance that will transcend the music room and positively impact their lives. 

But what does that look like here in Seattle JazzED? Through an improvisational lens, we're breaking down how we embrace different approaches to celebrating student expression within and outside the classroom.  

Embracing Creative Freedom  

Improvisation is a defining hallmark of jazz music. The way that improvisation has been taught in schools for more than 75 years is through a parrot-style, “repeat after me” method, insinuating that there are “right” notes.  

At JazzED, we center play, exploration, and discovery to promote bravery over perfection.  

Improvisation is not reserved for those only with extensive musical knowledge. Rather, it’s a natural extension of being human. By instilling this belief early on, we can decenter the idea that there are strict requirements to playing music and remove the pressure of perfection. Students often don’t realize they’re improvising, making it an organic and less intimidating process for them to express themselves freely.  

Dynamic Learning in the Classroom  

While instrumental proficiency is a lifelong pursuit, improvisation can and should happen at all stages of learning. In other words, it’s not just about the grind of learning an instrument but the groove in responding. JazzED students improvise on their first day on an instrument!  

For example, the way students “phrase a melody” becomes a form of expression and improvisation. Do they want to add vibrato to a note? If yes, why? If not, why? This decision and other decisions they make on how to compose a walking bass line or voice a piano chord are all forms of expression.  

But making these choices can be tricky.  

While we honor the rich history of jazz as a crucial element in our curriculum, we also understand the curiosity and creativity of the young minds we teach. Our approach involves dynamic learning, exploring, and decision-making — an evolving process that respects tradition while embracing what’s popular now.  

Facilitating Student Expression  

Each classroom is an ecosystem of the people in the room. Seattle JazzED’s Education Director, Kelly Clingan, carefully decides which teachers are going to be in the room and how they will all work together to support the students in the classroom. 

Incorporating improvisation and expression is a consistent element across all classes and age ranges, from JazzSprouts to our exploration ensembles. This emphasis is intentional, promoting the early and frequent occurrence of improvisation and expression for students. Our educators are facilitators of individual expression while the songs they learn are a medium for exploration, allowing students to guide their own musical preferences.  

Much like how children naturally come into language and conversation, we want young musicians at JazzED to be curious and playful with their instruments while learning techniques and tools that help them make music. We encourage improvising even with beginners because of the confidence it builds in our students.  

“Our teachers share time honored aural traditions of Black-American music like call and response and the blues to give students a platform to create within the structure of a musical collective.  Through the Connections and Exploration programs, improvisations become more articulate and responsive as teaching artists gives valuable insight into their own creative processes.”    - BJ Montoya, Curriculum Manager and Lead Teacher

BJ Montoya teaching Connections at our South Lake Union Office. Photo by Jocelyn R.C.

A Celebration of Expression 

We extend the celebration beyond the classroom by providing opportunities for students to showcase their talents, involving families and friends in the celebration of their achievements. These collaborative performances and events become showcases of individual expression, reflecting the diversity and richness of our community.  

At the end of our 2023 fall quarter, our Jazz Lab: Gigging and Mentoring students hosted a jam session for the community. Our lead educators in the room, Nate Omdal and Anna Seymour, facilitated and encouraged students to improvise over songs like ‘Satin Doll’ and ‘Take the ‘A’ Train’. In a room of musicians from fifth to twelfth grade, the wide range of abilities sonically meshed, creating a performance that our students, families, and staff can feel proud of.  

Want to join us in celebrating student expression?

Consider joining us at our next community event or following us on social media to stay updated with our students’ accomplishments and performances.  

In Tune with Progress: Seattle JazzED's 2023 Highlights

Throughout the year, we’ve explored and examined the ‘why’ of our presence here. And at the core of it all, we are committed to advocating for justice within our community, striving to create spaces where youth can confidently be themselves.

As we tighten the ribbon of 2023, we want to celebrate the collective spirit of our community in embracing our youth and supporting this organization.

Highlights of 2023

• A Soundtrack to Remember: On March 9th, 500 people gathered for our Soundtrack for the Future Gala. Our JazzED students, educators, alum, and staff poured onto the stage to perform with headliner Martina DaSilva and Friends.  

fEMME jAZZ dAY gROUP, pHOTOGRAPHY BY jOCELYN r.c.

• Femme Jazz Day: On April 30th, Girls Ellington Project alum hosted an interactive experience dedicated to femme musicians filled with inspiring talks, beautiful music, and lots of laughs with other musicians. 

• BDX Revival: On June 3rd, JazzED hosted the BDX Drumline Festival, an educational showcase that provided percussionists the opportunity to workshop with professional drumline adjudicators across the Pacific Northwest.  

• Our New Mission Statement: In a board meeting held on June 13th, Seattle JazzED announced the adoption of a new mission statement that propels our commitment to jazz education to new heights.  

• WeBop to JazzSprouts Refresh: JazzSprouts embodies the essence of the program. This rebranding signifies the organization’s commitment to creating a vibrant and inclusive space where families can explore the rich and diverse world of jazz together.  

Kelly Clingan, JazzED’s Education Director, Speaking to Kids at Leschi Elementary School. Photograph by JazzED Staff.

• First Meet Your Instrument Day at Leschi Elementary: On September 18th, JazzED hosted its first Meet Your Instrument Day at partner school, Leschi Elementary School. The school is one of three Seattle Public School partners to host JazzED, delivering afterschool music and instruction directly to the school steps of 4th and 5th graders.  

• Girls Ellington Project Leadership Change: In September, after a decade of leading our Girls Ellington Project, Kelly Clingan passed the baton to new enthusiastic educators. The addition of more educators means more perspectives and a richer, meaningful exchange of ideas and skills between the student and teacher.  

• Intro to Ukulele at Beacon Hill International: In a partnership with Beacon Hill International, we brought our Intro to Ukulele class, a multi-week enrichment program. Rather than being an after-school program, Intro to Ukulele is offered during the school day so we can reach more students directly in school settings. 

Onwards to 2024

At the heart of our mission to provide music education that liberates and inspires, we have a community of people who care deeply about our youth. As we keep charting forward, here are three ways you can join us in our mission:  

1. Spread the word: Help us reach a wider audience by spreading the word about Seattle JazzED. Share our mission and programs with your friends, family, and colleagues. Whether it’s one new student enrolled in a program, or a band booked for an event, every new supporter we gain brings us one step closer to our goals.  

2. Share resources: Community contributions are vital in sustaining our programs and expanding our reach. Your donation, no matter the size, amount, or type, makes a significant difference in our ability to provide music education opportunities. We value all kinds of resources; gently used and new instruments, financial contributions, time, and talents! 

3. Attend our events: Participate in our concerts, workshops, gala, and events. Your presence not only uplifts our students but also contributes to the vibrant music community we are building together. 

Jazz Music Education as a Tool for Liberation

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

Jazz is more than a genre; it’s a vibrant art form, a call to action, and a language of expression.  

With its deep roots in the African American community, jazz is a genre that embodies musical freedom and is as a testament to resilience, creativity, and the power of expression in the face of oppression. It’s a medium for musicians to express their experiences, emotions, and dreams. 

At Seattle JazzED, we take pride in being part of the ongoing legacy of jazz and contributing to a larger movement of cultural appreciation, understanding, and social justice. Through our programs, we aim to create an environment where students can break free from constraints, be they self-imposed limitations, societal expectations, or conventional norms. 

By immersing themselves in the improvisational nature of jazz, our students discover a profound sense of autonomy and unlock boundless possibilities for personal growth.  

Jazz Music Education as a Tool for Liberation

Jazz emerged during the early 20th century in New Orleans, where African, European, and Caribbean musical traditions blended with other stylings like ragtime, blues, and marches.

Rooted in African American communities, jazz emerged from a rich tapestry of influences, not limited to, but encompassing the experiences of Black Americans and their enduring struggles with oppression and racism.  

Jazz music is a testament to the resilience and creativity of a marginalized community that found solace and expression through music, transcending boundaries and forging new paths in the art world.  

Legendary jazz musicians used jazz as a form of liberation and creative release to address the constraints and turmoil of life. Billie Holiday’s Strange Fruit narrates the treatment of Black Americans during the Jim Crow era and became an anthem for equality, while Sonny Rollins’ Freedom Suite addresses the civil rights movement that defined the 1960s in America (NY Jazz Workshop). These songs serve as a small example of jazz’s role in highlighting injustices and inspiring change. 

To sustain the historical and powerful nature of the genre, we aim to offer a music education and experience that serves as a catalyst for cultural, social, and musical liberation for our students.  

Cultural Expression

At JazzED, we delve into the historical and cultural context of jazz, emphasizing its roots in African and African American traditions to provide a more well-rounded educational experience. Setting this context lets students from similar heritage feel a sense of pride and identity, contributing to liberation by creating a deep connection to one’s roots.  

Jazz is a living music that transcends borders, drawing influences and elements from other cultures of people in the room. From Latin jazz, which weaves Cuban rhythms and percussion instruments, to bebop, characterized by complex harmonies and fast tempos, these subgenres enrich jazz and define its dynamic and inclusive nature. Students gain a more holistic appreciation of the universality of jazz and can break free from cultural insularity by connecting with their own roots and exploring the global diversity of the genre.  

Social Liberation

Jazz encourages collaboration, ensemble playing, and community involvement.  

Within the JazzED community, students learn to communicate effectively through music, creating a sense of unity and shared purpose. Students work closely with one another, improvising and harmonizing in real-time. This collaborative process encourages teamwork, respect, and effective communication.  

As students develop in their musicianship, there are opportunities to perform. Whether it’s during an Open House at the end of the quarter or a local gig at a festival, performing promotes a sense of responsibility and engages them more with the community. Our students play alongside their educators, creating intergenerational interactions that encourage mutual understanding, as musicians and individuals.  

As empathy grows and students actively engage with their communities, a profound sense of belonging is nurtured, paving the way for social liberation. 

Musical Liberation

Jazz music education equips students with the fundamentals of the genre, such as improvisation, harmonic progressions, and rhythm. And our educators use jazz as a vehicle to help students engage in life-long music making.  

Using the learned foundations, students are encouraged to take risks and trust their instincts to break away from conventional music structures. Eventually, they become more open to new perspectives and possibilities to develop their own musical styles.  

Ultimately, the objective is for JazzED students to become life-long music makers, capable of playing independently and collaboratively, whenever and however they want. We want to liberate our students from the reliance on sheet music and teacher-led counts, setting them up with musical knowledge that extends far beyond the classroom. 

“The most liberating thing we do is teach skills that one must possess to be life-long music makers.”

— Kelly Clingan, Seattle JazzED's Education Director

Not Just Music

In jazz, we find not just music, but a transformative tool for cultural, social, personal, and musical liberation. 

We invite you to join us at Seattle JazzED, whether as a parent, educator, student, supporter, or however else you would like to show up. Together, we can explore jazz education as a tool for liberation for the youth in our shared community.