Seattle JazzED Welcomes Visionary Leader Courtney D. Clark as New Program Director
Photo courtesy of Seattle JazzED.
Seattle JazzED has announced Courtney D. Clark as its new Program Director, with her tenure beginning earlier this month. Clark is an accomplished arts executive, strategist, and artist-educator known for her dedication to accessible and equitable arts education. Her career has centered on building programs that ensure all students, particularly Black and historically underserved youth, can fully engage in the arts.
Clark arrived at Seattle JazzED with a wealth of experience, most recently serving as Director of Engagement at the University of Washington School of Drama. Prior to that, she held senior education and community engagement roles with both Arizona Opera and Seattle Opera, where she expanded K–12 arts learning access, developed culturally responsive curriculum, and forged statewide educational partnerships.
As a classically trained singer with professional performance experience both domestically and abroad, Clark brings a unique dual perspective as both an artist and an administrator. Her academic credentials include a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Morris Brown College and a Master of Arts in Vocal Performance from Middle Tennessee State University. Her leadership also extends to her role as Board President of ArtsEd Washington, where she advocates for equitable access to arts education statewide.
Clark’s work is guided by a clear mission: "To use music, arts education, arts advocacy, and leadership to illuminate the path for others, especially Black and underrepresented voices, to be seen, heard, and celebrated, creating spaces where excellence is cultivated, talent is nurtured, and legacy lives on through art, community, and cultural connection,” she said in a recent press release from Seattle JazzED.
In her new capacity, Clark will lead the vision, development, and implementation of Seattle JazzED’s programs, furthering the organization’s commitment to access, excellence, and community-centered music education.
What Is Seattle JazzED?
Seattle JazzED is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young people with exceptional music education through jazz that is liberating and inspiring. The organization provides year-round programming, including in-school partnerships, after-school ensembles, and its dynamic summer camp season, with sliding-scale tuition and full waivers available to ensure cost is not a barrier to participation.
Learn more about Seattle JazzED here.
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