Kelly Clingan photo by Adair Rutledge
Earshot Jazz would like to introduce you to our board members. They’re a group whose work often goes unnoticed by the broader public, but we value their expertise and their dedication to Earshot Jazz. Each month you’ll meet someone new—in August, please meet Kelly Clingan.
What is your name, board position, and pronouns?
Kelly Clingan, board member, she/her. lolagetsmusic.com
How long have you served on the Earshot Jazz board?
I am new to the Earshot Jazz board and stoked to join the team.
What led you to join the Earshot Jazz board?
I think that jazz music asks us to say ‘yes’ to each other, and in that spirit, I said ‘yes’!
Tell us something you’re proud of that Earshot has achieved.
It was exciting to see a push for more diverse representation in publication articles and general responsiveness to community needs during the pandemic.
Tell us a little about your background (professional qualifications, job, interests, talents, etc.)?
I have been teaching music as a jazz specialist for 20+ years, most notably at Washington Middle School and Seattle JazzED. I’m committed to driving gender and racial equity forward through music, from the beginning classroom to the professional stage.
I’m also known as ‘la Kelly del Norte’, trombonist/singer in Banda Vagos (la Banda de los Pobres).
Times have been challenging since 2020. Are there any organizations or inspirational people you’d like to highlight that stood out to you?
My daughter, also a trombonist, lost most of her ‘middle school moment’ to COVID. Playing music with friends again has brought so much joy to her cohort at Garfield High School. A beautiful reminder about the power of this work.
My boss at Seattle JazzED, Laurie de Koch, has led our board and staff through the unknown with bravery. Her willingness to ‘look within’ and respond to community needs is an inspiration and at the heart of our success.
