EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – An El Paso non-profit organization that teaches young girl musicians, from ages 11 to 18, to write and perform their own original music is back for another year.
The 8th annual cost-free summer program, El Paso Jazz Girls, will return from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Monday, June 16, through Thursday, June 19, at the Ysleta Independent School District’s Young Women’s Leadership Academy, 8040 Yermoland Dr.
On Friday, June 20, there will be a slight schedule change with the program starting from 9 a.m. to noon. That same day, the summer program will conclude with a free concert, El Paso Jazz Girls LIVE, at 6 p.m., where participants will be able to showcase their original music.
Participants will play a variety of instruments, study theory and improvisation, compose original music in ensembles, create a support system, and learn from an all-female teaching staff made up of El Paso professional musicians.
This year’s teaching staff includes: award-winning composer and multi-instrumentalist Amanda Ekery, who is also the founder and director of the summer program; percussionist and music therapist Amy Smith; trumpeter Flora Newberry; saxophonist Stephanie Munoz; percussionist Sarah Vasquez; flutist and UTEP professor Mafer Guglielmina; clarinetist Rosemary Cano; brass repair specialist Erika Tovar; Jieun Kim Newland and Lindsey Macchiarella from the Society of Forgotten Instruments Trio; and El Paso Jazz Girls alumna and trombonist Judith Olivas.
KTSM spoke with the founder of the program, Ekery, who said she’s very excited for this season as new faces and talented artists such as Cano, Guglielmina and Olivas are joining the program this year.
“Every year is a little different, so they (students) get different ideas on how to compose. And this year, I want to focus on group improvisation, but leading to composition,” Ekery said.
Ekery said that she’s also implementing a “DIY band marketing,” where students are going to be able to name their group or ensemble, create a logo for it, and make “little merch” such as pins or posters of the band.
“I’ve noticed that a lot of our students are interested in visual art, not just music, but they like to draw and create craft things. And I think it’s all connected with art,” Ekery said.
Ekery also shared her advice to young girls who are interested in music.
“There are so many different ways to be in music, whether you are performing, teaching, writing, or producing. There are so many ways to be involved, and none of them are better or more worthy; it’s all about where you fit in, and I think that’s special,” Ekery said.
Ekery said what’s important is for girls to follow what they like because it will mean something to them, and they will enjoy doing it.
“Another important thing I would say is that you don’t have to do it alone. You can find programs like El Paso Jazz Girls, mentors in schools, or even musicians in El Paso. Not being afraid to ask for help is also important,” Ekery added.
Interested applicants can sign up and learn more about the summer program here.
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