SacJEF Welcomes New Executive Director
Amanda Scott is a nonprofit executive, community leader, and strategic operations professional with a passion for expanding access to education, arts, and community resources. She brings more than a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership, organizational development, program management, fundraising, community engagement, and public advocacy.
As the founder and Executive Director of EG SPEAKS (Elk Grove Special Education Advocacy, Knowledge, and Support), Amanda has built a thriving grassroots nonprofit that connects families with advocacy, education, and community support while leading strategic initiatives, cultivating partnerships, securing funding, and guiding organizational growth. Her work has established her as a respected leader in collaborative community building and systems change.
Amanda’s professional background also includes extensive experience in business management, administration, volunteer engagement, event planning, communications, and cross-sector partnership development. She has successfully led large-scale community initiatives, managed nonprofit operations, developed sustainable programs, and worked alongside educators, government agencies, businesses, and community organizations to advance meaningful impact.
As Executive Director of the Sacramento Jazz Education Foundation, Amanda is excited to bring her expertise in nonprofit leadership and organizational strategy to support music education and ensure young musicians have access to transformative artistic opportunities. She believes the arts have the power to inspire creativity, build confidence, strengthen communities, and create lifelong opportunities for students of all backgrounds.
Teagarden Jazz Camp
Teagarden Jazz Camp is in the bag! A couple of great weeks for the kids followed by two concerts. Thanks to everyone that turned out to listen to what the kids have been up to. “Our grandson is experiencing his first year at Jazz Camp. We are so happy with this program and his progress.” ~ Tommy K.
TNT Musicians Spotted at Large
These two students were recently spotted sitting in with local jazz Cunha Big Band. Both attended Teagarden Jazz Camp this year during the second session. Great job Madison Kate and Henry Dall-Parker!
Teagarden Jazz Festival coming in February
Save the Date! SacJEF’s 20th Teagarden Jazz Festival for Young Musicians is set for Saturday, February 6th, 2027. This year the featured Guest Artist will be the fabulous Bria Skonberg. Many of us at SacJEF remember her when she brought her own band, “Mighty Aphrodite”, to the old Sacramento Jubilee as a teenager. She attended the Teagarden Jazz Camp, and later served on its faculty. She now lives in New York City where she is in great demand on trumpet and vocals, and often performs her own compositions. While you are at it, save the next day, February 7th, for a very special afternoon concert featuring Bria and some of the TJF Clinicians. Details TBA.
Did U Know?
The word “jazz” almost certainly started as slang unrelated to music – used around 1912-1913 in West Coast baseball writing to mean pep or energy – before it got attached to the music itself in Chicago and New Orleans circles a few years later. Some of the earliest printed uses of “jass” even show up in ads for bands, with the spelling still unsettled.
~ Offbeat Wisdom ~
“I basically borrowed everything I’ve ever heard, especially from the horn players, and turned it into my own style of singing.” — Ella Fitzgerald