Youth Empowerment through Arts and Humanities, Inc. (YEAH!) 2022 Rock Block Program Overview

MISSION

Youth Empowerment through Arts and Humanities, Inc. (YEAH!) amplifies the voices of youth from all communities through music education and exploration.

For 20 years, YEAH! has been dedicated to helping kids and adults find their artistic voices, especially disenfranchised youth whose lifestyles and experiences tend to be marginalized. We’re committed to providing scholarships so all youth have access to our programs.

YEAH! recognizes the potential of every young person to be a creative and empowered individual as well as the importance of providing a safe space where they and everyone rocks. Our programs are designed to allow participants (regardless of race, class, gender expression or creed) freedom of expression through music and performance. In doing so, young people develop their own voice and sound without creative boundaries or inhibitions.

ROCK BLOCK

Rock Block is a nine-week Saturday afternoon music education program where student musicians of all levels ages 10-17 experience creating music and forming a band.

This Fall, Rock Block will be held at The Song Spot at 1027 17th Avenue South, Suite A, on Music Row, from September 17 to November 12 (except October 15) from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Rock Block will culminate in a showcase on November 19 at the East Room in Nashville, from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm. (Students will arrive that day at 12pm) Friends and family are welcome!

Each week, participants have instrument instruction (bass, drums, electric guitar or voice), band practice and mini interactive music workshops during instruction and/or band practice.

Some workshops include synthesizers, light, sound, band listening, branding, promotion, stage presence, songwriting, and the historic functionality and accentuation of their instrument to communicate. These workshops are intended to deepen students’ engagement in the artistic process, widen their view of what enriches music and the development of essential life skills: collaboration, communication and creation.

Students are placed in bands based on instrument of choice, experience and availability. Bands decide their name, style of music and lyrics for their original song, and all the other fun elements that go into being in a band.

YEAH! strives to provide everyone with their first-choice instrument. We encourage participants to be open to possibly developing skills with their second-choice instrument.

Experienced instructors lead our young musicians to create community by favoring collaboration over competition. This allows for inclusive and transparent conversations. Everyone becomes an encouraging guide as they challenge themselves – and each other – to grow.

SCHOLARSHIPS

YEAH! wants to increase the number of young people participating in our programs and diversify the student population. One way we accomplish this goal is to provide scholarships to help families remove financial barriers to music education. YEAH! never turns away a student due to lack of funds.

For more information, please email Maria Malafronte, Program Manager, at programs@yeahrocks.org.

Rock Block registration can be found at https://bit.ly/3Ab7YPa

As YEAH! re-emerges and evolves into 2022, we are building upon our partnerships, programs and experiences. We will continue to be mindful of current trends, available art education opportunities and gaps. We are developing plans to create and implement innovative ideas for a deeper connection to the arts, self and place.

Please join us as we walk along this journey of growth for our youth and community.

For more information, please contact our Executive Director, Mariela Moscoso, at director@yeahrocks.org or visit our website at yeahrocks.org.