WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
The Full Story
Women’s History Month is a project I began in 2023 to promote the music of women composers, both past and present, throughout the entire month of March, which is designated as Women’s History Month in the United States. I wanted to create something that would take place on each of the 31 days in March and remind us all month long of the creative presence and power of women. I aim to highlight women composers who may be unknown to the general public and introduce them to new audiences and spark further interest in their music and their lives.
I love the format of YouTube which creates an immediate and lasting documentation of this work, making the music easily findable and accessible to anyone on the internet. I supplement this online library with live performances, which are often free to the public, and the project culminates each year with listeners able to “vote” for their favorite piece of the month to hear played live at the Closing Concert.
2026 Spotlight on Minnesota
After my initial year of Women’s History Month, I decided to choose a geographical region to highlight each year. 2024 was of course “The Women of Chicago” which afforded me so many choices among the fabulous composers we have living here. In 2025 I was awarded a New York Women Composers Seed Money Grant for my project, and collaborated with NYWC to highlight composers from New York, with a live performance in NYC at the end of the project.
2026 brings me to Minnesota, a state where I lived from 1999-2004. I have a deep love for Minnesota, Minneapolis in particular, and wanted to relay all that MN composers have to say to the world. As I was planning this mid-year, little did I know that my focus would coincide with a national focus on Minnesota and all the upheaval and strife they are experiencing in these turbulent political times. I am glad to show the beauty, creativity, depth of expression and range of emotion, and overall talent and enthusiasm these composers from Chicago have, and will promote the best side of Minnesota throughout March 2026.
The Music
Online
2026 Playlist
Live Performances
March 15, 2026, 3 pm Harold Washington Library
400 S State St, Chicago, IL 60605
This concert features selections from the 31 pieces I play in March, highlighting connections between Minnesota and New York composers from both the past and the present. This concert is FREE and fully accessible and open to all.
Sunday, March 29, 2026, 3 pm The CheckOut
4116 N Clark St, Chicago, 60613
CLOSING CONCERT
This concert is YOUR chance to decide which of the 31 pieces played during March you would like to hear performed live at Chicago’s newest, hippist music venue, The CheckOut. You can vote for your favorite piece via Buy Me a Coffee and help decide the afternoon’s program. Be a curator for a day and support the music you want to hear!
2025 Playlist
My playlist will include roughly 50% Minnesota composers, and the rest will be from all over the world, both living and historical women. Check back on March 1 for the YouTube playlist link!