Set against the backdrop of a male-dominated music industry (and world), the work of Girls Rock! Chicago aims to give girls and transgender or gender non-conforming youth a voice — and a stage. The nonprofit, founded in 2005, hosts annual weeklong summer day camps for kids ages 8 to 16 that teach them to play an instrument, write an original song, perform in front of an audience at popular Chicago venues like Thalia Hall and embrace activist causes while they’re at it.
“What we’re trying to do is move these kids to understand that they are allowed to be whoever they want to be,” said program coordinator Jess LeMaster. “In the music industry, it’s really hard for women and trans folks and gender non-conforming folks to find their voice, so through this program we create the safest space that we’re able to and then just let all of our campers know that it’s super OK to have specific ideas and to be as vocal as possible about them.”
LeMaster said Girls Rock! plans to work more closely with Chicago Public Schools in the coming months to expand their program reach. A partnership with Wicker Park’s Josephinum Academy of the Sacred Heart already gives involved students a chance to build on skills they learned at camp, examine topics like gender identity, and explore new passions like ways to make a social impact in the city through year-round workshops. And this year, grown-ups can get in on the fun, too. “Let’s Rock” — a weekendlong camp in February for women and transgender and gender non-conforming adults ages 18 and up — will raise money for young summer campers while teaching participants how to play, write and perform themselves, culminating with a final show at Hyde Park’s The Promontory on Feb. 19.
More opportunities to support Girls Rock! include volunteering as a camp coach, counselor or instrument teacher, carrying equipment to gigs and delivering snacks, among other needs (more information is available at girlsrockchicago.org). Staffers say they like to talk with potential volunteers before they get started to find the best fit. One of their biggest volunteer groups? Former Girls Rock! graduates.
“It’s just amazing to see the difference (in former students) after eight years of the program,” operations manager Kit Curl said. “They’re willing to be so involved, and they care so much, and many of them will say they just want to give others the experiences they had.”
Gwendolyn Purdom is a RedEye freelancer.
