Who doesn’t want to be a rock star or at least pretend to be one? Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls offers your young rocker the opportunity to express themselves musically, build their self-confidence and self-esteem.
But what if your daughter, niece or granddaughter has never played an instrument, it doesn’t matter because Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girl’s mission isn’t about making money (did I forget to mention that it’s a non-profit), or turning out the next American Idol but it’s mission is dedicated to empowering girls and women (yes, women) through music education, volunteerism and activities that foster self-respect, leadership skills, creativity, critical thinking and collaboration. How cool is that?
Sessions for 2013 are yet to be determined but here are details in the mean time.
- Open to girls, ages 8 to 18
- Offers instrument instruction (drums, bass, guitar, keyboard, vocals)
- Songwriting clinics
- Band practice
- Live performances by visiting artists
- During the week, each girl joins a band, performs for in a showcase for family and friends.
- And how much is it? There is a sliding scale tuition that makes the program accessible to girls and women of all income levels. Fantastic.
Recently, my daughter had the opportunity to meet some of the volunteers and learn the rudimentary points of how to play the guitar, bass, drums and sing. The event was capped off with a performance by Rock Camp grads, Still Safire (look out for this quartet of 13 year old teenagers, they were amazing, played all their instruments and wrote their own lyrics.)
What the mini-camp showed me and exposed my daughter to was that women play instruments, play in bands and that you actually have talent to be in the music business.
For more information or to apply, visit williemaerockcamp.org
And if you are interested in volunteering, the summer camp is almost entirely volunteer powered.
And Ladies do you want to rock out, there is also a Ladies Rock Camp during the summer. Click here for more information. And again, there is sliding tuition for the Ladies Rock Camp and it’s okay if you have never played an instrument.