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.
OUR MISSION:
Empowered expression.
SONGWRITING. MENTORSHIP. PRODUCTION.
Girls Write Nashville: (n.) a nonprofit songwriting mentorship program based in Nashville, TN that cultivates empowered expression and positive community for teen girls. Our research-driven curriculum is designed to build resilience and confidence in girls while space-making for an inclusive and safe city-wide music scene.
Committed to accessibility and inclusivity, our programs are offered free of cost to participants. Girls Write Nashville programs are open to any student who wishes to participate in a program that focuses on the lived experience of female-identifying and nonbinary students. We unequivocally welcome trans, nonbinary and gender expansive students.
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?”
Our Impact
Our original, research-driven curriculum and values of empowerment and social equity result in great youth outcomes.
100%
improved education outcomes
100% of middle school girls in Title I (high poverty) schools who complete a season of Girls Write Nashville before applying to high school are accepted into a top-choice performing arts or academic magnet high school.
ELL
supporting english language learners
ELL students report that songwriting in Girls Write Nashville is the first time they’ve felt truly able to communicate their inner thoughts and feelings in English.
3+
accessible after school programs
In addition to our All-City programs, we run after school programs in three Title I middle schools to assure GWN is accessible to everyone who needs it. We’re proud to support our local public school system.
“
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
