InDo InSiders: Jazz Empowers Brings Music, Mentorship, and Momentum to Students Nationwide
Welcome back to InDo InSiders, our weekly series highlighting the amazing businesses and changemakers who call InDo Nashville home. This week, we’re thrilled to feature Andrew Johnston, founder and Executive Director of Jazz Empowers, a national nonprofit that's using the power of jazz to uplift and inspire the next generation of musicians—from its headquarters right here at InDo.
Meet Andrew Johnston: Musician, Educator, and Founder
A graduate of both DePaul and Lipscomb Universities, Andrew Johnston holds degrees in Jazz Studies, Performing Arts Management, and a Master’s of Education in Instructional Practice. After college, Andrew joined Teach for America, teaching music and math at an underserved high school in Nashville.
It was in that classroom that he first witnessed the transformative power of jazz—and the lack of access to it in many schools. In 2014, Andrew founded Jazz Empowers to change that. A year later, he launched a pilot program in two Nashville schools.
Today, under Andrew’s leadership, Jazz Empowers has:
Grown to serve over 10,000 students in 420 underserved schools with over 1050 instruments donated
Raised more than $3.3 million to support music education programs
Launched initiatives that are closing the opportunity gap in arts education across the country
In addition to his work as an advocate and nonprofit leader, Andrew is also an accomplished trombonist who has performed with jazz greats like Terrell Stafford, Jeff Hamilton, and Phil Woods.
About Jazz Empowers
Jazz Empowers is a nonprofit organization that starts and supports jazz programs in underserved K–12 schools across the U.S. Their mission is to give students the tools, mentorship, and opportunity to explore jazz—an art form that helps develop confidence, creativity, and voice.
From donating instruments to placing teaching artists in classrooms, the organization offers a full-circle approach to music education that’s making a powerful difference nationwide.
“Jazz allows students to find their voice, build confidence, and express themselves in new and powerful ways,” Andrew says.
Inside the Programs: Access, Impact & Innovation
One of Jazz Empowers’ most impactful initiatives is the Charter School Residency Program, designed for Title I charter schools with no existing music or jazz programs. The organization provides:
A dedicated jazz educator
A full set of instruments
Custom-built curriculum tailored to each school’s needs
This year-long program is currently active in cities like Nashville, New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, New Orleans, and Las Vegas, with more schools joining each year.
Additional programs include:
🎵 Band Director Support Program – Providing training and resources for first-time jazz band directors
🎵 Jazz Band Director Cohort – A professional network and mentorship group for music educators
🎵 Student Advisory Council – Elevating student voices in shaping future programming
🎵 Summer Jazz Programs – Hands-on instruction and ensemble work during school breaks
“Only 39% of charter schools in the U.S. have music programs,” Andrew notes. “We created Jazz Empowers to change that—and give every student a chance to discover their talent.”
Finding a Creative Home at InDo Nashville
Andrew discovered InDo Nashville while searching online for a flexible private office space—and quickly realized it was the perfect fit.
“What I love most about InDo is the overall creative vibe,” he shares. “There’s inspiring artwork on the walls, great music playing in the common areas—it keeps me in the mindset I need to be effective and energized in this work.”
InDo also provides the functionality Jazz Empowers needs, with:
✅ Conference rooms for board meetings
✅ Event space for fundraisers or showcases
✅ A prime location near downtown and great local restaurants
“It’s great to have access to everything from meeting space to performance space all under one roof,” says Andrew.
A Place That Hits the Right Notes
“I would highly recommend InDo Nashville to anyone looking for a private office or co-working space,” Andrew says. “It’s a welcoming, creative place where ideas can grow—and where you’ll find the tools and environment to help make your vision real.”
Want to Learn More About Jazz Empowers?
🌍 jazzempowers.org
🎟️ Attend their annual Gala, a celebration of student talent and community impact – More info here
📧 Sign up for their newsletter or follow them on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter
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