A note from Abigail Flowers, Director of Education and Communications

To my Nashville Jazz Workshop community: 

When I discovered my love of the Great American Songbook in 2015 (after being hired to sing standards at a hotel in Michigan), I asked my mentor, “What do I do now? Where do I learn about jazz in Nashville?” Without hesitation, he told me to go to the Nashville Jazz Workshop.

So I did! I attended free class performances. I volunteered for concerts, seeing masters like Beegie Adair and Jeff Hamilton. I took classes from Lori Mechem, Liz Johnson, and Christina Watson. I learned and grew and launched my career. 

All that to say: NJW is my home, and I love it dearly. After serving in various capacities for the last two years (including, most recently, as Director of Education), I’ve made the decision to step away from this job so I can put all of my energy back into my career as a musician. 

As much as I have loved participating in the jazz community through NJW, my heart has always been in writing and performing music. It’s what I do best. I want to make space for someone who loves education like I love creating music! We’re in the process of searching for that person: an organized, passionate music educator who can take NJW’s educational programming to the next level. 

My last day as Director of Communications and Director of Education will be July 31st, but you’ll probably still see me attending concerts, teaching classes, and cheering on my successor after that. NJW will always be my home, and I look forward to watching it flourish in the next chapter!