Soundhouse’s Ella Madsen Selected for Prestigious National Jazz Ensemble

We’re thrilled to share that Soundhouse drummer Ella Madsen, a high school junior, has been selected for the 2025 Next Generation Women in Jazz Combo (NGWIJC)—a nationally recognized ensemble showcasing the top high school women jazz musicians from across the United States.

Directed by award-winning bassist Katie Thiroux, the NGWIJC was founded in 2019 to elevate female-identifying jazz artists through high-level performance and mentorship opportunities. Selection is highly competitive, with students submitting video auditions evaluated against national criteria.

Ella joins an elite roster of just 36 musicians who have been accepted into the program since its inception! Ella will perform with the group at the 68th Monterey Jazz Festival in September, one of the world's most prestigious jazz festivals.

In recognition of her exceptional talent, Ella has also received a full scholarship to Berklee’s prestigious 5-Week Summer Performance Program, one of the most sought-after opportunities for young musicians worldwide.

Please join us in congratulating Ella on this incredible achievement! We can’t wait to see where this journey takes her—and we’re honored she calls Soundhouse home.