Jazz Camp for Girls in Sheffield at Spring Tank Studios
Young musicians at the workshop at Spring Tank Studios, Sheffield
“I noticed a general ease and confidence over the day amongst all the girls that showed clearly that the experiences they were all sharing were helping them with a better understanding of improvisation in jazz and blues and also contemporary music generally.”
We enjoyed our day in Sheffield at Spring Tank Studios. The communal atmosphere and bright aesthetic at the studio helped the girls to feel safe and relaxed which is vital for a workshop focussed on improvisation and developing new skills. The girls tried a range of activities throughout the day with leaders Nicola Farnon and Helena Summerfield and took part in a short sharing session for their family and friends.
Feedback from the girls and their parents was very positive. One participant told tutor Helena Summerfield ‘if you run a camp again, I’d definitely come back’ and a parent commented that their child had ‘really enjoyed it and came away with lots of insights’.
Jazz North’s Jazz Camp for Girls was inspired by a successful Danish initiative to introduce young female musicians to improvisation and address gender balance in the music industry. The camps are opportunities for girls aged between 8-15 to explore improvisation in a fun, supportive environment. The project connects tutors from across the North, encouraging them to network and share examples of good practice.
In 2025 camps have taken place with partners: East Riding and Hull Music Service, Leeds Conservatoire, The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, Grimsby Music Centre, Cumbria Music Hub, Lancashire Music Service, Trafford Music Service (GMMHub) and Doncaster Youth Jazz Association and now Spring Tank Studios.
The day was made possible with support from The Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation.
If you are interested in hosting a future jazz camp please contact helena@jazznorth.org
