CHiCA Power

Empowering the Next Generation

JOiN US for CHiCA Power®️, a free nationally-acclaimed seven-week jazz instrumental residency and workshop specially focused on the empowerment of girls. Led by a team of top female jazz instructors + incredible guest artists
Chica Power - 2023 Residency

CHiCA POWER Experience

Seven sessions throughout the year featuring incredible female guest artists and speakers. Each session will include a performance/technique component, and a discussion or activity– each session will be different!

  • Commitment: One Saturday a month 11:00am-2:00pm. Bring your own lunch.
  • Open to: All female and non-binary instrumentalists and vocalists* including students new to Jazz House Kids (so bring a friend!). One year of experience with jazz is required. Grades 6-12. *vocalists’ participation is enrollment dependent
  • Register for all 7 sessions and get one for free! Select “CHiCA Power Experience FULL SERIES” and you’ll be registered for all 7 sessions for $210. A payment plan is available.

CHiCA Power Experience Dates:
TBD

CHiCA Power Residency

CHiCA Power’s crown jewel! Seven sessions featuring all-female faculty, incredible guest artists, history of jazz, improvisation instruction, masterclasses, and combo rehearsals. Culminates in a concert. Includes “Night Out” party, field trip to NYC, and “RiSE + IMPROViSE” leadership summit with successful women from non-traditional fields.

  • Open to: Any female or non-binary identifying instrumentalists, including students new to JAZZ HOUSE KiDS. Grades 6-12.
  • Commitment: Must commit to at least 5 of the 7 sessions. Optional additional events include a “Night Out” party and field trip to NYC (dates TBD).
  • Fee: Only cost concert ticket price which includes dinner (exact prices TBD)
  • Registration: Opens December 9th

REGISTER TODAY!
MARCH 2 – APRIL 21

Saturdays | 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm @ THE JAZZ HOUSE
Ages 9-19  |  All levels welcome

JAZZ HOUSE KiDS, a Montclair-based nonprofit that has gained a reputation as one of the nation’s preeminent arts education and performance organizations, announces “CHiCA Power,” a special instrumental residency for young female and non-binary musicians. Held each Saturday afternoon from 1:00 – 5:00 pm, the CHiCA Power Residency® is part of JAZZ HOUSE KiDS’ ongoing mission to close the gap in arts education, giving young musicians an artistic edge and the tools needed to break down barriers to a life-long love of playing jazz. Free for girls and non-binary students in grade 6-12 with at least one year of playing experience and the ability to read music, the residency is funded by ongoing support from the Montclair Fund for Women and other private donors. Pre-registration is required.

Students will learn about jazz pioneers such as Mary Lou Williams, Melba Liston, Shirley Scott and Marian McPartland and study present day jazz icons such as Esperanza Spalding, Regina Carter, Anat Cohen, Terri Lyne Carrington and Geri Allen. Each week, the participants will break out into ensembles by level, learning compositions by female jazz artists.

Special sessions

 

Girl’s Night Out

March 7th 4:00-8:00PM
The fun continues after the session is over with our annual Girl’s Night Out! We’ll start with a jam session and dinner, then we’ll move into murder mysteries! Everyone will be assigned a character, and work together to solve a (fictitious) murder mystery! More details + permission slip to come!

Chica Power by JAZZ HOUSE KiDS

RESIDENCY DATES + HIGHLIGHTS

  • March 11 – April 16 Residency Program (6 weeks)
  • April 15 CHiCA Power Leadership Summit
  • April 16 Final Concert (time tbd)
  • Special Event DIVA Jazz Orchestra at Dizzy’s Club Excursion
  • Special Event Surprise CHiCA Excursion

DAILY SCHEDULE

  • 1:00 pm Welcome + Warm-up
  • 1:45 pm Faculty + Guest Artist Performance / Q & A
  • 2:15 pm Building Music Skills: Improv + Arranging
  • 3:15 pm Women in Jazz + Student Lead Conversations
  • 3:45 pm Small Group Rehearsals
  • 5:00 pm Program Ends

rıse + ımprovıse

Be part of the CHiCA Power Movement! This exciting program for girls provides a rich musical learning environment, peer-to-peer engagement and mentoring by top female jazz instructors dedicated to fostering skills and relationships for the next generation.

Our middle and high school students, from diverse communities, come together for an improv class focusing on theory, transcription and language, a dynamic jazz combo and an exciting CHiCA Power activity. The CHiCA Power motto is rise + improvise!