The Femme Ellington Project is Seattle’s all-girl, 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 in grades 9 through 12 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
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 9 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 1, 2024 - March 18, 2025
Weekly on Tuesdays
6:00-8:00 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 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:
$1200 (full tuition)
$900 (25% off)
$600 (50% off)
$300 (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).
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.”
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.”
