Your $47 gives a student a seat in the weekly Writers Guild circle, where she shares lyrics about her anxiety, 12 other girls snap in recognition, and she realizes she's not alone.
One safe space can change everything.
Donate Today
Girls Write Nashville is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Some of the best music experiences happen in living rooms.
A few times each year, we transform the Girls Write Nashville studio into one.
House Concerts at Girls Write invite you into an intimate evening with one of our incredible teaching artists or alumni—songwriters, producers, and musicians who are not only shaping Nashville's creative community, but also mentoring the next generation of artists through Girls Write Nashville.
Each of these quarterly evenings includes a short live performance, conversation with the artist, light refreshments, and the chance to connect with fellow music lovers and supporters in our cozy creative space. After the concert, you're invited to walk over to our neighbors at Butchertown Hall to enjoy 15% off dinner.
Attendance is free, but space is intentionally limited to keep each gathering personal. RSVP is required.
Whether you're already part of the Girls Write Nashville community or simply looking for a meaningful night of music, we'd love to welcome you into our home.
OUR MISSION:
Empowered expression.
SONGWRITING. MENTORSHIP. PRODUCTION.
Girls Write Nashville: (n.) a nonprofit music education and creative youth development organization where young people write songs, make music, and build community. Through our original, trauma-informed model, students develop artistic skills and creative agency while building the trusted relationships and sense of belonging young people need to thrive.
Our programs are free of cost to participants. Girls Write Nashville programs are open to any student who wishes to participate. Our programs have a focus on the lived experiences of girls, nonbinary, and gender-expansive young people. We unequivocally welcome trans students.
Our Impact
Our approach is built around two things young people need to thrive: strong protective relationships and creative agency. Our original model uses songwriting and collaborative music-making to build trusted relationships, belonging, creative confidence, and both the artistic skills to bring their ideas to life and the creative thinking skills to carry those ideas into the world.
Our research-informed evaluation framework tracks growth across these interconnected outcomes—helping us understand not only what students create, but how creative community can change what young people believe is possible for themselves.
80%
reduction in the support gap
Students entering with the fewest protective factors—the trusted relationships, belonging, and support that help young people thrive—began nearly 50% below the program average. By year's end, that gap had narrowed to just 10%.
3x
more likely to feel confident using language creatively
After a season in our programs, students were three times as likely to report confidence using language creatively through songwriting, storytelling, and poetry—rising from 20% to 60%, with comparable gains among both students who speak English as a first language and English language learners.
10k+
free programming hours offered to students
Across our programs in Metro Nashville Public Schools and small suite of community-based programs, we provide over 10,000 hours annually of access to safe spaces and our high-impact programming to young people in our community.
94%
artistic learning benchmarks achieved
Students in our most intensive Writers Guilds completed an average of 94% of core artistic learning benchmarks—including songwriting, recording, music production, and instrumental skills.
Share Your Art. Shape a Future.
We’re hiring paid Teaching Artists and welcoming Volunteer Artist Mentors.
Join our creative community!
Our Programs
MNPS Writers Guilds (Oct. - Apr.)
Empowering student voices through songwriting and creative expression in schools
Offered during the school day or after school in partnership with Metro Nashville Public Schools, our Writers Guilds provide students with trauma-informed, culturally responsive songwriting programs that build creative skills, confidence, and community. Programs run for a partial year and are tailored to each school site.
6th-8th grade; open to all students enrolled in our partner schools; register online or sign up at school
NAZA After-school Programs (Sept. - May)
Restorative music spaces for middle schoolers in extended learning time
As a NAZA funded partner, Girls Write Nashville provides consistent, 4-day-a-week afterschool programs from September - May each year onsite at partner middle schools in Metro Nashville Public Schools. Students explore songwriting, music production, and creative wellness while building supportive relationships in safe, affirming spaces.
6th-8th grade; open to all students enrolled in our partner schools; register online
All City Mentorship Program (Jan. - May)
A citywide creative mentorship for high school songwriters and producers
This mentorship program geared toward the intermediate-advanced writer pairs high school students with professional musician mentors for biweekly group sessions and one-on-one mentorship. The year culminates in a collaborative recording session, offering teens a chance to grow as artists and connect across schools and neighborhoods.
8th-12th grade; open to all students in the greater Nashville area; apply in November each year
“I’m a princess mighty and strong
I slayed the dragon, fought the enemy.
Got through my troubles
And I didn’t need no man to save me
Don’t need no slimey frog, no poison apples, nah
Cinderella had no choice
But you can find your own voice.”
“Why do I always wanna laugh
When I’m saying something sad
Am I protecting myself,
Or is it you I’m trying to help?”
“
July 2018
Girls Write Nashville has made a true difference in my daughter’s confidence and spirit.
K., parent of a multi-year participant
Get Involved
Girls Write Nashville is a community-driven, community-powered organization. Our participant re-enrollment rate is high, our volunteers tend to work with us for multiple years, and our donors tend to stick around too. Join our community today!
join
Are you a kid who loves music and wants to learn more? Our programs are accessible and engaging for experienced artists and total beginners and all are welcome. Apply to join us!
Volunteer
Join our amazing community of volunteers! Volunteering in GWN is fun and engaging and is a great way to be a part of our community as a grown-up. Volunteer mentors say they get as much out of GWN as their mentees do.
donate
We ran on grassroots donations for almost 3 years before ever receiving a large donation. Our program is community-powered and every dollar goes a long way. Don’t have time to volunteer but want to join our cause? Every donor becomes part of one of our donor circles which get cool perks, fun exclusive content, and special invites to donor events. Turns out - it’s fun to give!
Our partners
