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.

Illustration of a purple flag outline with a star in the middle

Develop strong leadership skills

Nurturing leaders through discipline, teamwork, confidence, and communication.

Illustration of an outlined purple music note

Build musical fundamentals

Developing sound, expression, improvisation, and stage presence fundamentals.

Illustration of the outline of a purple flower

Increase empathy and joy

Fostering emotional connection and joy through music.

Black and white photo of Valaida Snow with an orange brush stroke behind them

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

Early Giving is Here for GiveNola Day!

We would love your support. Please schedule your donation to help us empower girls aged 8-19 to play the trumpet at both novice and advanced levels, enhancing equal representation in a male-dominated music industry.

Visit givenola.org/girlsplaytrumpetstoo to give and help us reach our goal of $45,000 to cover operational costs to expand our mission and movement TODAY. We are incredibly grateful for everyone who has supported us thus far! 

What is GiveNOLA Day?

GiveNOLA Day, an initiative of the Greater New Orleans Foundation, is a one-day online giving event. For 24 hours, everyone who loves our region can support their favorite local causes by donating to one or more of 900+ participating nonprofit organizations. Since their first event in 2014, GiveNOLA Day has raised over $64.6 million for our region’s nonprofits.

When will GiveNOLA Day 2024 take place?

It will be from 12:00:01 a.m. to 11:59:59 p.m. on May 7, 2024. All event-related donations must be made online during the 24-hour period or during our scheduled giving period.

Is there an option for early giving?

Yes! Donors have the ability to make an online donation starting on April 23. To make an early donation between April 23 and May 6, a donor can go to givenola.org/girlsplaytrumpetstoo and check out as usual to give. The donor will receive a receipt via email upon submitting their donation.

Girls Play Trumpets Too (GPTT) has achieved several remarkable accomplishments:

  1. Successful Debut at French Quarter Fest: GPTT made a memorable debut, showcasing the talent and potential of its young female musicians on a prominent stage.

  2. School Partnerships: GPTT has partnered with McGehee and Dwight D. Eisenhower School, ensuring access to music education and mentorship for young girls.

  3. Corporate Recognition: GPTT received support and recognition from corporate sponsors like Chevron, who generously donated at the French Quarter Fest kickoff.

  4. Program Expansion: With sponsor and partner support, GPTT expanded its programs, reaching more girls in diverse communities and providing access to quality music education and instruments.

  5. Empowering Young Musicians: Through its programs, GPTT has empowered young female musicians to pursue their passion, develop skills, and gain confidence and leadership abilities.

  6. Successful Earth Day Event: GPTT's plant giveaway event in the Musician's Village for Earth Day was a resounding success, further demonstrating its commitment to community engagement and environmental stewardship.

  7. Guest Appearance on the Kelly Clarkson Show with Justin Timberlake: GPTT had the honor of being featured on the Kelly Clarkson Show alongside Justin Timberlake, where they showcased their talent and mission to a national audience. Justine Timberlake supported GPTT by making a donation.

  8. Feature in the Washington Post: GPTT was recognized in the Washington Post for its impactful work in empowering young female musicians and promoting gender equality in the music industry.

    Thank you for joining us in our mission to provide opportunities for as many girls as possible to learn and excel in music.

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.

Troy Sawyer and Girls Play Trumpets Too make a special guest appearance on the Kelly Clarkson show, joined by Justin Timberlake.

GPTT Debut Fall Concert 2023

Make a donation. Your support will put a trumpet in the hands of as many girls as possible!

Spring Registration Is Open!

Program Resumes Saturday January 13, 2024

Ready to join the fun? Select the appropriate form below. We’ll be in touch soon!




Other questions?

ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • 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.

  • Spring Registration Is Open

    1. 13. 24

    Program Resumes

    The program will teach the history of female trumpet players, mechanics of the trumpet, classical/jazz instruction, understanding the music business, and giving back through volunteering.

  • Giving Tuesday

    11. 28. 23

    Join us on Giving Tuesday (11/28) to help us continue our efforts and make a difference in the lives of young girls who want to pursue their passion for music!

    Giving Tuesday is on November 28, 2023, and it's all about celebrating each and every single act of generosity we have to offer. Whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor out, or showing up for an issue or people we care about, we each have something to contribute. Identify your gifts, pick a cause that gets you fired up, and give back.

    We are looking for volunteers to help us with various events, and we have a goal of raising $10,000 to pay for trumpets, keyboards, camera, recording equipment, instructors, and operational costs to keep us afloat as we go into the New Year.

  • First Holiday Concert

    11. 28. 23

    Come out to our First Holiday Concert on Thursday, December 21, 2023 at Cafe’ Istanbul (2372 St. Claude Ave.) from 6p-8p! More Info coming soon!

  • Fall Registration is Closed!

    Program Resumes Sat. 9. 23. 23

    The program will teach the history of female trumpet players, mechanics of the trumpet, classical/jazz instruction, understanding the music business, and giving back through volunteering.

  • Special Announcements

    7. 30. 23

    Catch GPPT with Troy Sawyer and the Elementz at Satchmo Summerfest on Saturday, Aug. 5 from 3:00p-4:15p on the Eugenie and Joseph Jones Family Foundation Stage!

  • GPTT Satchmo Summer Fest Commercial

    7. 30. 23

    GPTT is featured in the Official Satchmo’s Summerfest 2023 commercial!

  • GPTT Debut Performance

    5. 20. 23

    Come out to the Girls Play Trumpets Too Debut Performance at Cafe’ Istanbul!

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

Portrait photo of Troy Sawyer with hand drawn line elements surrounding his head

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

Portrait of Laura Stein
Portrait of Damian Kennedy

Laura Stein

Advisory Board Member

Damian Kennedy

Development Director

Portrait of Constantine Mgalle
Portrait of Emily Madero

Terrance Dugas

Secretary Board Member

Emily Madero

Advisory Board

Portrait of Lisa Barthelemy

Lisa Barthelemy

President Board Member

Emily Mikesell

Trumpet Instructor

Portrait of Casey Ferrand
Portrait of Sean Vappie

Constantine Mgalle

Foreign Language Instructor

Dr. Cherie Goins

Advisory Board Member

Veronique Dorsey

Trumpet Instructor

Our Partners

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation logo
Harvest's logo
As A Family logo
St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church logo
Eschelon Production logo
St. Charles Center for Faith + Action logo