Young Women In Jazz 2017 Registrations Open International Women’s Day

The number of female musicians in WAYJO is on the rise.

This year for the first time, half of the WAYJO Monday Night Orchestra is female.

WAYJO Operations Coordinator, Jess Herbert, a WAYJO Alumna and musician says;
“I think we are heading in the right direction. While we appear to be bucking the national trend that suggests female musicians are outnumbered by their male counterparts by four to one* – I think we can all do more to advance and celebrate female artists.”

Marking International Women’s Day, WAYJO announces the return of the Young Women in Jazz Workshop Program in 2017.

WAYJO is calling for young women aged 12 – 25 who are currently performing or studying music and have an interest in jazz and improvised music to register for the workshops to collaborate and learn with other female musicians.

The workshops start on April 29, run over 8 weeks and are conducted in small groups with leading female guest artists, educators and WAYJO Alumnae.

Run in Perth since 2014, these workshops have seen young women build support networks, refine their skills and increase confidence.

Dr Mace Francis, WAYJO Artistic Director states;
“It is very exciting to see the next generation of young female musicians come through this program. It is even more exciting to think that maybe some of them will choose a career in music because of this program and be just like recent WAYJO alumna, Linda Oh, who is currently touring the world as Pat Metheny and Joe Lovano’s bass player.”

West Australian Bass Player & WAYJO Alumni: Linda Oh

A public performance inviting Young Women In Jazz participants, supporters and their tutors will take place later in the year on July 9 at the Ellington Jazz Club.

WAYJO acknowledges program partners SIMA (Sydney Improvised Music Association) as well as St John of God Health Care the Ian Potter Foundation and the McCusker Foundation for supporting the program in Western Australia.

The WA Youth Jazz Orchestra, based in Maylands comprises three 18-piece big bands that will play over 40 performances in 20 venues throughout Perth and The South West this year.

To learn more about the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra and the Young Women In Jazz Program or to register, visit wayjo.com/education/young-women-in-jazz

*Source: APRA Registered Musicians identified as Female 2015, referenced http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/hack/girls-to-the-front/7223798