Columbus Youth Jazz Girls Project

The Columbus Youth Jazz (CYJ) Girls Project is a month-long jazz ensemble that celebrates female and gender expansive students in jazz. During each session, we will develop our skills as an ensemble while exploring jazz repertoire, style, improvisation and more, creating a fun and encouraging space for students to build confidence on their instrument.
Led by saxophonist and Columbus City Schools educator Mercedes Chomos and jazz vocalist and educator Rachel Azbell, the CYJ Girls Project focuses on developing confidence, becoming a leader in your school music program, important figures in jazz history and more. This program wraps up with a final performance at the Bexley Library in collaboration with the Capital University Jazz and World Music Festival.
The CYJ Girls Project is open to female-identifying and gender expansive instrumentalists and vocalists in grades 7-12 with a minimum of two years experience on their instrument. Please note, at this time the CYJ Girls Project is no longer able to accept guitarists or bassists.
Jazz Arts Group is dedicated to developing and furthering female and gender expansive musicians in jazz, improvisation, and music making all around. We believe it is important to foster a community that uplifts all voices and provides an opportunity for students to learn, take risks, and develop their skills.