Trae Holiday, a true Seattleite, has watched her city change in many ways. From the age of nine, her deepest passion was in the creative field, which flourished at Garfield High. She took that passion to Howard University, where she studied theater management. Then, through studying abroad multiple times at the University of Washington Tacoma, gaining her degree in Communications and Urban Studies, and being displaced by gentrification, she became fueled to tell her neighborhood's stories through film and media. She found a home for this work at Converge Media as an Emmy award winning Media Personality, TV Show Host, and Producer. Being herself in media is truly important to her. She talks to the biggest names in community, government, and pop-culture weekdays at 11am on The Day with Trae. Trae is known by many as Seattle’s Oprah with her warm and conversational style of interviewing. She consistently works hard to bring her ideals to life and strives to help her family and others do the same. Let The Day With Trae inspire you towards understanding and action! 

Alex Dugdale was adopted from Cali, Colombia and raised in Seattle WA.  After graduating from Roosevelt High School in 2008, Alex studied saxophone performance at the Eastman school of music in Rochester NY. He has shared the stage with many greats including Terrell Stafford, John Clayton, Bernadette Peters, Ellis Hall, the Temptations, the Four Tops and many more.  Alex is also a well-respected and decorated member of the Seattle Jazz scene winning multiple Earshot Golden Ear Awards in 2016 and 2020 releasing his own nominated album “The Dugout” in 2021. In 2022, Alex headlined the Earshot Jazz Festival debuting two new ensembles, the Alex Dugdale Big Band and his ten-piece band Deca-Dance.

Alex is also a passionate educator teaching both tap dance and music as a full time teacher and guest educator for the last decade holding a Masters in Education from SPU.

Get a glimpse of last year’s Soundtrack for the Future gala. (Photos by Emazing Photography)

We believe any student who wants to play should get to play.

Through jazz education that liberates and inspires, our mission is to increase access in the music room, celebrate student expression and build lasting connection rooted in community.

At Seattle JazzED, we welcome students in grades 4-12 at all levels. You can play or sing in an ensemble, take a one-day workshop, spend a week in the summer honing skills…or all three!

Plus, our students and families always choose their tuition level. Flexible payment plans and full tuition waivers are available, no questions asked. We’re able to offer sliding scale prices because our community of families pay what they can and our community of donors give what they can.

Can’t attend Soundtrack for the Future but still want to show your support? Click the button to the right to donate and increase access to music education for youth across the city.