Youth Empowerment through Arts and Humanities, Inc. (YEAH!), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable youth arts organization in Nashville, Tennessee, amplifies the voices of youth from all communities through music education and exploration. YEAH! programming values collaboration over competition and seeks to give youth the tools they need to create the world that they want to live in.
At our Summer Jam camp, after school program at Metro Nashville Public Schools and 10 week Saturday program – Rock Block – teaches youth of all musical skills ages 10-17 the bass, drums, electric guitar and voice. We are expanding these options this Fall to ukulele and frame drum! Participants learn to play music and deepen their exploration of it through workshops and being in a band.
YEAH! strengthens young people to authentically express themselves through inclusive music education. Our programs recognize the potential of every young person to be a strong, talented, creative, and empowered individual while providing a safe space where everyone rocks. These camps are designed to allow campers (regardless of race, class, gender expression, or creed) freedom of expression through music and performance. In doing so, participants are empowered to find, develop and share their own voice and their own sound without boundaries..
We believe social justice-related discussions and activities are a crucial part of creative practice. These, through music education, are experiential, interactive, and youth-focused. Providing this space, gives participants a platform to widen their thoughts, work together and make changes they feel necessary. For younger campers we ask: “In what ways are you responsible to your school or community? How do you improve your community by your actions and words? How do you stand up for yourself and others?”
Our work is adaptable and willing to shift. We are committed to continually remaking ourselves and boldly engaging the discomfort of change and transition with transparency. We are seek engagements to learn how to challenge systemic oppression, lift youth and love each other better through hope and solidarity.
Together, let’s step up and co-create a brighter world.
At YEAH!, we believe that Black Lives Matter. We stand in solidarity with Black, Indigenous, and people of color, with all oppressed peoples, and with liberation movements here in the U.S. and across the world. We understand that statements of solidarity must be accompanied with action.
We trace our roots back to 2003, when Kelley Anderson, then a student at Middle Tennessee State University, organized and kicked off the first Southern Girls Rock Camp as a joint project between the feminist student organization Women for Women and the June Anderson Women’s Center. After several successful years of growth, Kelley Anderson, Anna Fitzgerald, Courtney Vickers, Andrew Jacks, Ryan York, and Nicole Tekulve founded YEAH! in 2006. Their vision was to create an organization that fostered the creativity of young individuals while building a community of like-minded volunteers and supporters who love the arts and want to share the arts with kids. We have served hundreds of young people over the past several years by offering year-round classes, the summer camps, the School of Recording, filmmaking and photography, arts and crafts, theater arts, and visual arts.
We’ve had many notable performers at our camps including Wanda Jackson, Those Darlins, Margo Price, Jawws, Idle Bloom, RI¢HIE, Heavy Cream, Watcher, Thelma and the Sleaze, and D Watusi.
Sample Schedule:
8:30-9:00 Registration / Camper Check In
9:00-9:25 Morning Assembly
9:30-10:40 Instrument Instruction
10:45-11:15- Panel
11:15-11:55 Lunch
12:00-12:40 Band Performances / Q&A with Band
12:45-1:55 Workshops
2:00-2:25 Afternoon Assembly
2:30-5:10 Band Practice
5:20-5:30 Camper Pick Up / Camper Check Out
YEAH! values difference and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, economic status, gender expression, size, physical ability, developmental ability, musical interests, learning styles, nationality, religion, thought, citizenship status, or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational programs, admissions policies, scholarships and other program-related policies, as well volunteer and employment related policies and activities. We recognize and support every individual’s place on the gender spectrum and aim to create an environment that fosters conversation and connection.
