Josie Ala

Trumpet, Piano, Jazz Improv

Troy - $35 per half hour

Josie Ala holds a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz and Contemporary Improvisation from the University of Michigan, with a minor in Art History. She studied with world-class trumpeter Bill Lucas. Josie achieved her ARCT Associates Diploma for piano from the Royal Conservatory of Toronto in Fall, 2019. Throughout her career, Josie has performed with notable artists such as Darius Ricker, Christine Jensen, Melissa Aldana, Charles McPherson, Jeff Hamilton, Dafnis Prieto and Randy Brecker. She has performed at the Detroit Jazz Festival, the Fox Theatre Detroit, Dizzy’s Club NYC, the Blue Llama Ann Arbor and Cliff Bell’s among other well-known venues. Joie released her first quartet album “If I Were A Bird” in December, 2022.

Josie has a passion for music education. She currently teaches at the School at Marygrove (TSM) piloting a new jazz appreciation program with Music Hall Detroit geared towards elementary school students. Josie spent a year teaching piano and music theory at Brava Academy for the Performing Arts in Windsor where she provided 30-40 weekly lessons to students of all ages and experience levels. Josie takes a personalized approach to each lesson, encouraging good technique and fostering musical expression while tending to the student’s individual needs and goals.

Hobbies/Interests

Josie enjoys cooking, baking, going to local jam sessions, and video games. She also enjoys crafty activities like jewelry-making, origami and crochet.