Our story
Started by Two Girls Who Refused to Be the Only Ones in the Room
MoCo Girls in Jazz was founded by Ariel and Stella — two high school musicians from Montgomery County who saw a problem and decided to fix it themselves.
How It All Started
MoCo Girls in Jazz was founded by Ariel and Stella, two high school students right here in Montgomery County who kept noticing the same thing: in every jazz band they played in, they were almost always one of very few girls in the room.
It wasn't just about numbers. They saw that many female musicians like themselves didn't feel comfortable improvising — that the culture of the jam session, built around confidence and spontaneity, wasn't always a welcoming space for young women. Talent was there. The comfort to let it out wasn't.
So they built something. MoCo Girls in Jazz hosts all female jam sessions where community is built, organizes school presentations featuring live performances by local young female students, promotes local jazz workshops, and creates a community where young women musicians can find each other, play together, and grow.
400+
Students reached annually
8+
Montgomery County schools visited
6+
Jam Sessions & Workshops
2
Years serving the community
@mocogirlsinjazz
Follow us on Instagram →What guides us
Our Values
Community First
We build spaces where young women musicians feel seen, supported, and inspired by one another.
Musical Growth
The workshops and performances we promote are led by professional jazz musicians who encourage continued musical growth. We actively seek out connections to female musicians who are leaders in the community.
Inclusive Access
We work to remove barriers so that any girl in Montgomery County with jazz experience can participate, regardless of background.
Cultural Legacy
We honor jazz as a living American art form and connect young musicians to its rich history and tradition.
The people behind the music
Our Team
Ariel Greenberg
Co-Founder & Executive Director
A jazz saxophone player, Ariel attends Walt Whitman High School and is a member of a number of local jazz bands. She has performed in numerous venues, including DC JazzFest, Blues Alley, and MidAtlantic Jazz Festival, among others. She co-founded MoCo Girls in Jazz to create a community of female jazz musicians who support each other and promote the participation of female jazz musicians in the local jazz scene.
Stella Bleiweis
Co-Founder & President
A saxophonist and college freshman, Stella is a graduate of Walt Whitman High School. She participated in her high school's jazz band as well as several local jazz bands. She co-founded MoCo Girls in Jazz to empower young female jazz musicians.
Join Our Community
Whether you're a student ready to play, an educator looking to bring jazz to your school, or a supporter who believes in our mission — there's a place for you here.