HighFIVE: Jazzy Gillette

Player, coach, advocate, Jazzy Gillette is the ultimate ambassador for tennis in Colorado

When it comes to being involved with tennis in Colorado, Jazzy Gillette does it all!

The Denver native is a teaching pro, high school coach, active tournament and league player and volunteer with USTA Colorado. Many might think that such a busy schedule would drain some energy, but Jazzy’s upbeat and positive nature holds steady no matter what role she is playing, which makes her an amazing ambassador for Colorado tennis.

Jazzy first tried tennis when she was 12. “My dad started playing and eventually taught me and my two brothers how to play,” she says. She quickly fell in love with the game and made the varsity team at Arvada West High School just a few years after first picking up a racquet. Jazzy’s game improved rapidly and she finished out her high school career with an undefeated senior season at No. 1 singles.

Following high school, Jazzy continued to play competitive tennis, even having the opportunity to compete at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. 

“I entered through the pre-qualifying rounds and was able to advance through multiple rounds, which made the experience even more rewarding and memorable.”

After a few years of competing full time, while also getting her cosmetology degree (Jazzy is also a hairstylist!), Jazzy decided to combine her loves of tennis and helping others and became a teaching pro at Apex Center in Arvada. 

“I have a genuine passion for inspiring the next generation of athletes. Being part of a player’s growth and development and contributing to what makes the tennis community thrive has been a meaningful and motivating factor in my journey.” 

Even after seven years at Apex, Jazzy enjoys her interactions with her students as much as ever. She particularly likes to work with adults and high-performance players and says “What I value most is the daily process of learning what works best for each individual player. Being part of their growth and watching them succeed throughout their tennis journey is what continues to motivate and inspire me as a coach.”

Jazzy valued her time as a student athlete at Arvada West so when the opportunity came about to be the coach for the boys’ team, she knew she couldn’t turn it down. 

“What stood out most to me about the Arvada West boys’ team was their commitment to hard work and their ability to help build the culture I envisioned for the program. Together, we established a clear standard: work hard and leave everything on the court. I’m incredibly grateful for my 3 years with the team, and it will always hold a special place in my heart.”

This year, Jazzy took on the role of head coach for the Ralston Valley girls’ team. 

“Transitioning from coaching boys to girls has been an adjustment, but an incredibly rewarding one. The girls bring a strong work ethic every day and I don’t have to set that standard — they embody it themselves. It’s truly an honor to be part of this program, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead such a dedicated and driven group.”

Ralston Valley went 10-0 this season as well as taking first place in two tournaments. Their success earned them the No. 1 seed in the 5A Regional tournament where they are currently in the semifinals. The team has high hopes of carrying the season’s winning momentum in to the State tournament in May.

While Jazzy clearly brings a lot of impact to Colorado tennis on the court, she is also involved off the court as a member of the USTA Colorado Community Services Committee. 

“My family has deep roots in Colorado, and we’ve always taken pride in being part of the state’s tennis community and being part of the committee felt like a meaningful opportunity.” 

Kristy Harris, USTA Colorado Community Services Director and staff liaison for the committee, says “Jazzy has been a great addition to the committee. Having been part of Colorado tennis her entire life, she brings experience, knowledge and genuine interest to the work being done. Her commitment to ensuring tennis remains accessible to all and continues to grow is a big part of why she makes such an impact”.

While it may seem like Jazzy’s tennis focus is on others, she does still find time to compete herself. “I play on a USTAP 5.0 women’s team as well as USTA 9.0 and 9.5 mixed teams.” She is also still an active 5.0/Open tournament player and currently has top 5 ranking in Colorado and the Intermountain Section in 5.0 singles as well as Open Women’s and Mixed Doubles.

Jazzy’s passion for the game is infectious and her commitment to improving in all areas of it is unwavering. 

“Tennis isn’t just something I teach — it’s something I genuinely love to compete in as well. Even as a teaching professional, staying on the court myself helps me continue to grow, adapt, and better connect with the challenges that my students experience. My goals are constantly evolving as I continue to grow both personally and professionally. I take pride in being a lifelong learner, always striving to improve and pursue meaningful goals across multiple facets of my life.”

MidFirst Bank is the largest privately owned bank in the nation and this combination of size and private ownership provides our customers with a special brand of banking. We are a strong supporter of the communities we serve, investing time and money in important educational, charitable and civic organizations. Our volunteerism is powered by our employees from all of the communities in which we live and share with our customers. MidFirst Bank is a proud partner of USTA Colorado.