Youth Empowerment through Arts and Humanities (YEAH!)

HISTORY YEAH! traces its roots to 2003, when Middle Tennessee State University student Kelley Anderson organized the first Southern Girls Rock Camp – the world’s second females-only rock camp ever. It was a joint project of the Women for Women student organization and the June Anderson Women’s Center. Inspired by her experience volunteering at a girls’ rock camp in Portland, Oregon, Anderson envisioned a more egalitarian music community in Tennessee. YEAH! was founded in 2006 by Anderson, Anna Fitzgerald, Courtney Vickers, Andrew Jacks, Ryan York, and Nicole Tekulve. YEAH! enables self-expression for youths from all communities through yearlong programming. In 2022, YEAH! Rocks Summer Camp replaced our former Southern Girls Rock & Roll Camp and Tennessee Teens Rock Camp to reflect YEAH!’s commitment to gender inclusivity and equity while continuing its mission to empower youth and develop community through music education. YEAH! connects participants who have limited access to the arts and provides fair wages for local teaching artists. The organization’s scholarship fund is available to all applicants, regardless of economic background or status. PROGRAMMING YEAH! builds on partnerships with government and community organizations to support our young people. We strive to engage 250 youths annually in instrument instruction and related disciplines that represent and supply music creators with workshops and panels on arts advocacy, songwriting, zine making, synthesizers, light, sound, recording, podcasting, and branding. All programs increase the appreciation of music and its historical impact on positive social change. YEAH! emphasizes the joy and value of expression and collaboration over competition through the following programs: YEAH! Rocks - A one-week summer day camp in Metro Nashville for youth ages 6 - 17 of all musical abilities. This immersive experience centers on collaboration over competition, exploration, creativity, and self-expression.. Campers learn instruments (bass, drums, guitar, keys, vocals), form bands, write original songs, and participate in workshops such as songwriting, beatmaking, and music tech. They also attend panels on topics that fuel the music they make, like mental health, media literacy, and arts activism. Campers perform at professional venues like The Blue Room, and engage with guest performers and industry professionals through live shows and Q&A sessions. Previous camps include Southern Girls Rock Camp, Tennessee Teens Rock Camp, and Ready2Rock Camp. Community Music Workshop - A three-day weekend music camp for adults, held in the Fall in Metro Nashville. Designed for beginners, hobbyists, and musicians of all skill levels, this program offers hands-on music instruction, band formation, songwriting, workshops, and a culminating live performance. The focus is on creativity, community-building, and self-expression. Rock Block - A 9-week band-based music program for youth in 6th grade and up, held on Saturday afternoons in Metro Nashville. Each two-hour session emphasizes collaboration, songwriting, and performance. Participants form youth-led bands, write original music, and work toward a final showcase under the guidance of professional musicians. Rock Block MNPS - A 10-week after-school enrichment program for middle and high school students, offered in the Spring and Fall at Title 1 Metro Nashville public schools and community centers. Sessions are one hour each and focus on vocals, songwriting, guitar, ukulele or percussion, with an emphasis on group performance. The program culminates in a showcase where students perform for their peers and community. Rock Block NPL - A 10-week afterschool and Saturday afternoon music program for youth ages 11 and up, held weekly in the Fall at select Nashville Public Library branches. Offered at no cost, this one-hour class introduces beginners to ukulele, songwriting, and group collaboration. Participants co-write and perform original or cover songs, building confidence and musical skills in a supportive, fun, and welcoming space. Local Legends - Alumni perform at festivals, museums, and cultural events, building stage presence, community engagement skills, and connections to Tennessee’s musical heritage. Scholarships - Need-based scholarships are available for all camp participants, with a limited number also available for Rock Block. These scholarships help make music education accessible to all youth, regardless of financial circumstance. Lending library - Free loaner instruments are available for all participants to use at the program and take home for the duration of their program. This ensures that every student has access to the tools needed to learn, practice and perform.

MISSION YEAH! further empowers youth voices from all backgrounds through music education. PURPOSE 1. To develop an appreciation and use of music to strengthen self and build community. 2. To make the world a better place by listening and learning from youth voices. 3. To further empower Middle Tennessee youth voices through music and a community culture that assists in their development and expression of self. 4. To create a better place through listening and learning through music. VISION To creatively connect young people through music by providing an inclusive community and developing young people's leadership skills. VALUES By adhering to these values, we aim to create a lasting and positive impact on the lives of young people, fostering a sense of unity, resilience, and joy through the universal language of music. Together, we strive to build a harmonious world where every youth can reach their full potential. 1. Empowerment: We are dedicated to empowering youth through music education, providing them with the tools and knowledge to express themselves, cultivate their potential, and contribute positively to society. 2. Inclusivity: We believe in the strength of diversity, embracing and celebrating the unique talents and perspectives of every young person in our community. 3. Collaboration: We foster a collaborative environment, encouraging teamwork, mentorship, and the exchange of ideas among our youth members, instructors, and community partners. 4. Access: We are committed to removing barriers to music education, ensuring that every young person, regardless of socioeconomic status, has equal access to high-quality musical instruction and resources. OVERVIEW YEAH! is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable arts organization in Nashville, Tennessee, founded to further empower young people of all backgrounds ages 6-17 through music education. YEAH! offers music education programs that emphasize collaboration over competition. We prioritize expanded diversity among its students, teachers, volunteers, staff, and board. We encourage their participation in our organization and programs, making YEAH! reflective of the community’s strength. YEAH! maintains strong partnerships with Title 1 Metro Nashville Public middle and high schools (MNPS) with additional support from the Nashville After Zone Alliance (NAZA), as well as community and nonprofit organizations whose programs reach diverse and underserved communities (e.g., Boys and Girls Club, Conexion Americas, Advocates for Women’s and Kids’ Equality (AWAKE), UnScripted Improv, etc.) In FY23 and FY24, our participants included 29% BIPOC, 45% female-identifying youth, 20% LGBTQ+ youth, 27% requiring accommodations, 25% from low-income families, 33% from single-parent households, and 46% scholarship recipients (excluding Rock Block MNPS participants from Title 1 schools who received free programming). Our summer camp, weekend, and public school programs support social responsibility and self-esteem. Participants gain proficiency on an instrument of their choice (bass, drums, guitar, keyboard, ukulele, or vocals); work together as a band; songwrite and compose music; attend workshops and live performances, and showcase their work at the end of each program. More broadly, participants take risks and create art representative of their similarities and uniqueness. Band collaborations develop entrepreneurial and life skills that lead to future success in all fields. YEAH!’s lending library provides personal instruments, and our scholarship program removes financial barriers for applicants.