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 ModelSPRING REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
Spring Saturday Music Program
Jan. 11 - May 31, 2025 (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 t-Shirt, trucker hat, and operational budget. 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
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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GPTT 2ND Annual Holiday Concert
12. 21. 24
Celebrate the season with the Girls Play Trumpets Too Holiday Concert on Saturday, December 21, 2024, from 3–5 PM at the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music! Enjoy incredible performances by talented young trumpeters, special guests, and food sponsored by Chapter IV Restaurant—free admission with suggested donations.
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
