CHiCA Power

Empowering the Next Generation

JOiN US for CHiCA Power®️, a free nationally-acclaimed jazz instrumental residency and workshop specially focused on the empowerment of girls.

2024 Chica Power

CHiCA POWER Experience

Led by a team of top female jazz instructors + incredible guest artists, the program is free and open to young women and non-binary instrumentalists in grades 6-12 with at least one year experience on their instruments and the ability to read music.  No jazz experience required!

We Thank Our Sponsors

The 2025 CHiCA Power program is made possible by generous support from the ASCAP Foundation Louis Armstrong Fund, Montclair Fund for Women, The Patrina Foundation, and PSEG Foundation, with additional support from Susan + Chris Gifford, Trinity Church NYC and our other generous supporters.

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED 

2025 SPRING RESIDENCY

MARCH 15 – APRIL 6, 2025

Saturdays | 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm @ THE JAZZ HOUSE

Final Concert | Sunday, April 6
Grades 6 – 12 |  All levels welcome, 1 year experience on an instrument

2025 CHICA POWER Spring Residency

RESIDENCY DATES + HIGHLIGHTS

  1. March 15 – April 6 Residency Program (4 Weeks, 5 Sessions)
  2. Jazz education + performance, mentorship, peer-to-peer engagement
  3. Day-long Leadership Summit with Women Captains of Industry and Near Peers
  4. Special guests include members of the DIVA Orchestra and field trip to see their performance at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club
  5. Final Showcase Performance

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

CHiCA Power Residency

The nationally-recognized 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.

CHiCA Leadership Summit | March 22

The CHiCA Power Leadership Summit serves as a gateway to leadership and personal growth, offering students valuable learning and mentoring opportunities that extend far beyond the bandstand. It fosters a sisterhood rooted in developing a positive, supportive community, empowering young women to lead with confidence and purpose. Spend the day with recent college graduates forging their own careers and meet accomplished leaders and change-makers across diverse industries, sharing stories of their journeys and lessons learned.

Chica Power by JAZZ HOUSE KiDS

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!