YEAH! Rocks Summer Camp is a week-long, 9-5 camp for youth ages 6 - 17, in Nashville, TN.

Campers amplify their voices as they create, collaborate, connect and...

• Learn bass, drums, guitar, keys or vocals
• Compose and write original songs
• Take music-and community-related workshops, like lighting, sound, electronics, improvisation, hip hop, artist development and promotion, stage presence, identity and arts advocacy
• Attend live music performances
• Perform with your band

Rock Block is our condensed camp program of nine-weeks on Saturday afternoons in Nashville, TN. Students, ages 11-17, develop the art of playing and communicating through their instrument (bass, drums, guitar, keys or vocals). Each week, participants learn about components that represent and supply music creators. As they collaborate with their band members in writing an original song, students develop an appreciation for the role music has in shaping community.

Instructors lead participants to favor collaboration over competition and have courageous and inclusive conversations that encourage communication about themselves and listening to others.

Students are placed in a band based on their instrument of choice and experience. Each band decides their style of music, lyrics for their original song, name and make entrepreneurial choices to promote themselves.

By advocating for themselves and the success of their band, participants not only develop musical skills, but the artistic process helps them develop advocacy, equity and inclusivity.

The Tennessee Art Commission’s Arts Pathways grant and the Tennessee Specialty Licence Plate Program greatly supports YEAH!’s Rock Block MNPS program at Title I Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS). This eight-ten week program, offered once or twice a week for 60-90 minutes each day, is designed to annually teach 50 students, ages 10-17, about technical and professional music skills while increasing their involvement in the arts. Classes are offered to students at their school at no charge.

Rock Block MNPS encourages positive youth development through engagement in music and addresses their need to amplify their voices. Local performing and teaching artists serve as mentors and role models. They lead students to develop their talents and communicate through instrument instruction, songwriting, technical and personal music topics, band development and a final showcase. Rock Block MNPS consequently creates a community where students develop socio-emotional, anti-discriminatory, courage and self-efficacy skills.

Previous participating schools include Fall Hamilton Elementary, Glencliff Schools, Hillsboro High School, J.E. Moss Elementary, LEAD Cameron Middle School, Paragon Mills Middle School and RePublic Schools. This year, through our partnership with the Nashville After Zone Alliance (NAZA) and CASE, YEAH! will return to Donelson Middle School with a percussion and hip hop program.

If you are interested in hosting Rock Block MNPS at your school, please contact programs@yeahrocks.org.