Our Mission
Empowering girls through trumpet, music, and equality
Girls Play Trumpets Too empowers girls to play the trumpet on a novice and advanced level to enhance equal representation in a male-dominated music industry.
Develop strong leadership skills
Nurturing leaders through discipline, teamwork, confidence, and communication.
Build musical fundamentals
Developing sound, expression, improvisation, and stage presence fundamentals.
Increase empathy and joy
Fostering emotional connection and joy through music.
Thank You for Voting!
Voting for the K20 Grant by Baptist Community Ministries has officially closed, and we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who voted and rallied behind Girls Play Trumpets Too.
As we honor the 20-year mark since Hurricane Katrina, this nomination has highlighted the powerful work happening in the 9th Ward and St. Bernard Parish to heal, rebuild, and uplift the next generation. Your support in this moment means everything.
We are hopeful that, with your votes, we’ve secured the grant—and we’ll find out very soon!
Thank you for standing with us, believing in our mission, and helping us amplify the voices of girls through music.
Stay tuned for Updates!
Valaida Snow (1904-1956) was an American jazz musician celebrated for her talents as a singer, trumpet player, dancer, and comedian. She gained prominence during the 1920s and 1930s, earning the monikers "Queen of the Trumpet" and "Little Louis" for her exceptional trumpet skills. Despite racial discrimination, Snow toured extensively in the United States and Europe.
(June 2, 1904 - May 30, 1956)
Valaida Snow
Inspirational ModelFALL SESSION REGISTRATION IS OPENING SOON!
Get ready to join Girls Play Trumpets Too for our Fall Saturday Music Program, running from September 6 to December 13, 2025, at St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church (7100 St. Charles Ave.).
Early Bird Registration:
Opens Monday, August 4th
Special rate: $150 (ends Sunday, August 17th)
General Registration:
August 18 – September 5
Fee: $200
The registration fee covers weekly instruction, a GPTT specialty t-shirt, trucker hat, and helps support program operations. Financial assistance is available for those experiencing hardship.
We offer payment plans and sibling discounts. Payment methods include the Website, Cash App, PayPal, and Venmo.
Stay tuned—registration opens soon. For questions, email us at info@girlsplaytrumpetstoo.org
Let’s make this another season of music, growth, and sisterhood.
Carry the Culture. Fund the Future.
Grab your GPTT Tote Bag today and help us keep the music alive for girls everywhere!
GPTT Spring Concert 2024: Special feature on WWLTV Louisiana
GPTT Champions Ocean Environmental Justice
Girls Play Trumpets Too delves into the unique relationship between aquatic life and jazz music, demonstrating how these seemingly disparate elements intertwine. Raine, GPTT member, guides us through the melodic sound waves, illustrating how the harmony of music and its ecosystem flows seamlessly alongside aquatic life within an aquarium.
N.o. Jazz and Heritage Festival 2024
Make a donation. Your support will put a trumpet in the hands of as many girls as possible!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Vote Today for GPTT to receive the K20 Grant Grant
7. 29. 25
Help us win the K20 Grant—vote today! Voting for Baptist Community Ministries’ Katrina 20 Grant Opportunity ends Friday, August 1 at 11:59 PM.
Your vote will support Girls Play Trumpets Too’s ongoing work in the 9th Ward and St. Bernard Parish—helping us heal, grow, and sustain our movement.Visit bcm.org/k20 to cast your vote now before time runs out! Every vote countsDescription goes here
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GPTT Summer Concert
8. 1. 25
Join us for our Summer Concert at Peaches Records on Friday, August 1, 2025 from 5p-7p!
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GPTT Registration Extended!
6. 30. 25
Registration Reopened! We’ve extended the deadline—registration is now open until July 12! Don’t miss your chance to be part of the experience!
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GPTT Spring Concert
6. 7. 25
Join us Saturday, June 7, 2025, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. for an inspiring afternoon of live music hosted by Charisse Gibson. Don’t miss powerful performances by our talented female trumpet players.
Tickets are on sale now—click below to learn more and get your tickets.
EVENT DATES
PRESS
Girls Play Trumpets Too Cover Story In OffBeat Magazine
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Girls Play Trumpets Too makes the front page of the Times Picayune New Paper
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Our Founder and Executive Director’s Interview on WWLTV Channel 4 News
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Girls Play Trumpets Too Debut Performance makes the WDSU Channel 6 News
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Meet the Team
Troy Sawyer
Troy Sawyer, a professional trumpet player and music educator, shares his personal journey and passion for promoting female trumpet players through his project, "Girls Play Trumpets Too." Growing up in New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz, Troy was immersed in a vibrant musical heritage.
Founder/Executive Director
“We want to put a trumpet in the hands of as many girls as possible”
Sean Vappie
Treasurer Board Member (Trumpet Instructor)
Casey Ferrand
Media/PR
Idrie Bailey
Trumpet Instructor
Emily Madero
Advisory Board
Constantine Mgalle
Foreign Language Instructor
Terrance Dugas
Secretary Board Member
Veronique Dorsey
Trumpet Instructor
Nathan Van
Trumpet Player
Natalie Ruschack
Accountant
Janee’ Johnson
Director of Operations
Lisa Barthelemy
President Board Member
Emily Mikesell
Trumpet Instructor
Laura Stein
Advisory Board Member
Aaron Smith
Trumpet Instructor
Damian Kennedy
Development Director
Dr. Cherie Goins
Advisory Board
Elva Gurule
Trumpet Instructor
Susan Henry
Advisory Board
