The Hey Nonny Rising Stars

The Rising Stars are our communities’ stand-out student jazz musicians, promoting women in jazz.

Taken from a wide net cast into our high school districts D211 and D214, a dozen young musicians answered the call to take to the stage and be a part of the Women’s Jazz Fest-2026.

Two combos, under the direction of Mike Malek (Wheeling High School) and Emily Kuhn (Hersey High School), will participate in this performance. Including students from Fremd HS, Hersey HS, Palatine HS, and Prospect HS.

The tunes that they are performing are all woman-composed, and all women-arranged.

The Rising Stars will include the accomplished Ani Perez-Brennen on drums. Herself a recent Wheeling High grad.

All are strongly encouraged support the jazz youth in our community and to enjoy this showcase of student growth in improvisation, style, and musicianship.