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.
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 Model
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!
Fall Session is Closed!
Fall Saturday Music Program Sept. 21 - Dec. 21, 2024 (10a-12p)
We're excited to announce that our Fall Saturday Music Program will take place every Saturday from September 21 to December 21, 2024 from 10a-12p, at St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church (7100 St. Charles Ave.). The registration fee is $100, which covers a GPTT Specialty Breast Cancer Awareness T-Shirt and Trucker Hat. Financial assistance is available for those experiencing financial hardship. We look forward to seeing you there!
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Girls Play Trumpets Too teaches girls ages 8-19 how to play the trumpet, with the mission to empower them to change the world. Our program emphasizes understanding the often-overlooked history of female trumpet players, learning the mechanics of the trumpet, and receiving both classical and jazz instruction. Additionally, participants learn about the greats in trumpet history, with a special focus on female professionals, gain insights into the music business, study Swahili, and engage in community service through volunteering and social entrepreneurship.
Our instructors are music educators, professional musicians, and teaching artist that have years of experience. We strive to make our programming fun, enriched, and engaging.
The Mechanics of the Trumpet
Fundamentals of Music
Music History
Classical/Jazz Instruction
Private Lessons
Music Business
Social Entrepreneurship
Learning a Foreign Language (Swahili and Spanish)
Ocean/Environmental Justice
Here are the Saturday dates for the GPTT Fall Saturday Sessions:
September 21, 2024
September 28, 2024
October 5, 2024
October 12, 2024
October 19, 2024
October 26, 2024
November 2, 2024
November 9, 2024
November 16, 2024
November 23, 2024
November 30, 2024 (Thanksgiving Holiday Break - No Program)
December 7, 2024
December 14, 2024
December 21, 2024 (Winter Concert)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
-
Beautification Day
11. 16. 24
Join Girls Play Trumpets Too this Saturday, Nov 16, 10 a.m.–12 p.m., at Musician’s Village in the Playground (1836 Bartholomew St.) for a day of art, music, and community vibes! Enjoy a preview of new mural, a restored trombone sculpture, yoga, soul food, global beats, and a special GPTT performance!
-
Fall Registration is Open
8. 16. 24
We’re excited to announce that registration for the GPTT Fall Saturday Program is now open! Join us for a season filled with music, learning, and fun. Register today to secure your spot!
-
GPTT Summer Concert: Celebrating the Legacy of Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong
8. 2. 24
Join us on Friday, August 2, for our inaugural GPTT Summer Concert at Peaches Records, 4318 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115, celebrating the legacy of Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong. The event, hosted by our founder Troy Sawyer and the band leader of the Elementz, will also mark the start of the Rock Your Soul album anniversary celebration. Happy Hour runs from 4 PM to 7 PM, with the performance beginning at 5:45 PM. Admission is free, with a suggested donation.
-
GPTT Performs for the National Urban League Conference
7. 27. 24
Girls Play Trumpets Too (GPTT) delivered a dynamic performance at the National Urban League Conference, sponsored by JPMorgan Chase. Our talented young musicians captivated the audience, showcasing the spirit of New Orleans and the impact of our mission. This performance amplified GPTT's visibility on a national stage and strengthened our partnership with JPMorgan Chase.
-
GPTT Spring Concert
6. 8. 24
Join us for the Girls Play Trumpets Too: Spring Concert at Cafe Istanbul (2372 St Claude Ave Room 252, New Orleans, LA 70117) on Saturday, June 8, from 3 PM to 5 PM. Doors open at 2:30 PM. No cover charge, but donations are suggested.
RSVP now to secure your spot and support our talented young musicians!
-
GPTT performs at Chase Bank
5. 30. 24
Girls Play Trumpets Too performs at Chase Bank for the NOTCF + Chase Elevation Series for Entreprenurs.
-
GPTT Performs for the Krewe of Muses
5. 9. 24
Girls Play Trumpets Too performed at the Contemporary Arts Center for the Krewe of Muses
-
GPTT Jazz Fest Debut Performance
4. 25. 24
Check out Girls Play Trumpets Too under the artistic direction of Troy Sawyer for their debut Jazz Fest Performance at the Oschner Children's Tent on Friday, May 3 from 1:50p- 2:35 PM!
-
Happy Earth Day
4. 22. 24
Join us on April 22, 2024, from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm at Musician’s Village Park for our Earth Day event! We'll be giving away plants to residents of the musician’s village as part of our commitment to celebrating Earth Day and supporting our community.
-
Troy Sawyer and GPTT makes an appearance on the Kelly Clarkson Show with Justin Timberlake
1. 30. 24
Troy Sawyer, the founder of Girls Play Trumpets Too, along with two talented girls from our program, was featured on the Kelly Clarkson Show in New York City. The show, aired on NBC, promises an inspiring segment as Troy shares his journey growing up playing the trumpet in New Orleans and the heartfelt reasons behind founding Girls Play Trumpets Too. Joining them on the show will be the sensational Justin Timberlake.
EVENT DATES
PRESS
Girls Play Trumpets Too Cover Story In OffBeat Magazine
read more
Girls Play Trumpets Too makes the front page of the Times Picayune New Paper
read more
Our Founder and Executive Director’s Interview on WWLTV Channel 4 News
read more
Girls Play Trumpets Too Debut Performance makes the WDSU Channel 6 News
read more
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
