LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In just a few weeks, the all-female orchestra at Jefferson County Public Schools’ Grace James Academy will perform a special song during its fall concert. The group will play the Alicia Keys song ‘If I ain’t got you.’
The school’s orchestra teacher, Gabriella Burdette, explains she chose that song after seeing it played in the Netflix show Bridgerton. In the music video for the song, Keys performed with an orchestra of more than 70 women of color.
“So after I saw the video, I was like, hmm, we have that at Grace James. We have those girls of color, that a big group can play together and make music together,” Burdette said.
Grace James Academy is located in West Louisville and is a magnet school for girls. Its curriculum centers around math, science and the arts.
Eighth-grader Jazzmyn Clemons plays the violin and is the top player in her section. She says she’s glad to be a part of the orchestra.
“When I play, it's whatever emotion, whatever emotion I had before I played is gone, the moment I pick up my instrument,” Clemons said.
Clemons has played violin for the better part of four years and credits her practice and hard work for her success.
Typically only a small section of the orchestra is able to play together. Where they typically play is too small for everyone. On Wednesday the group was able to get a practice session in by reserving the school library. It’s something Clemons says she really enjoyed.
“It was really nice for me to be able to hear everybody, you know, everybody all together, every instrument,” Clemons said.
Her teacher adds it goes to show that when you put in the hard work, anything is possible.
“We do what we can, and they always rise to the challenge. And even with the barriers, we're able to succeed,” Burdette said.