Statements
Mission
MISSION
To further empower youth voices from all backgrounds through music education.
PURPOSE
To develop an appreciation and use of music as a tool to strengthen self and build community.
To make the world a better place by listening and learning from youth voices.
To further empower Middle Tennessee youth voices through music and a community culture that assists in their development and expression of self.
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 peoples' 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.
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.
Inclusivity: We believe in the strength of diversity, embracing and celebrating the unique talents and perspectives of every young person in our community.
Collaboration: We foster a collaborative environment, encouraging teamwork, mentorship, and the exchange of ideas among our youth members, instructors, and community partners.
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.
Background
OVERVIEW
YEAH! is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable youth arts organization in Nashville, Tennessee, founded to further empower young people ages 6-17 through music.
YEAH! prioritizes expanded diversity among its students, teachers, volunteers, staff, and its board. YEAH! reaches out to underrepresented populations, such as our non-English speaking, LGBTQ+, neurodiverse, and Title 1 public school communities in Middle Tennessee. We encourage their participation in our organization and programs, making YEAH! reflective of the community's strength.
YEAH! values diversity of age, race, economic status, gender expression, size, physical ability, developmental ability, musical interests, learning styles, nationality, religion, and sexual orientation. We promote respect and do not tolerate racism, sexism, homophobia, or other discriminatory behavior or expression.
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.
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 to extend SGRC's values and enable self-expression for youths from all backgrounds through yearlong music education programming. YEAH! has increasingly connected participants who have limited access to music education. It moved away from its volunteer run model to providing equitable wages for local teaching artists.
Impact
PROGRAMMING
YEAH! builds on partnerships with government and community organizations to support our programs' planning, promotion, recruitment, and curriculum. The organization's scholarship fund was made for all applicants, regardless of economic background or status.
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 in expression and collaboration through the following programs:
YEAH! Rocks - A one-week summer day camp for youths ages six to 17. Previous camps include Southern Girls Rock Camp, Tennessee Teens Rock Camp, and Ready2Rock Camp.
Community Music Workshop - A condensed three-day-weekend rock camp for adults who seek to develop musical interests and community.
Rock Block - An abbreviated 10-week camp offering two-hour sessions on Saturday afternoons for participants age 11 - 17.
Rock Block MNPS - A 10-week after-school enrichment program in the Spring and Fall meeting twice weekly at a title 1 Metro Nashville public middle or high school.
Workshops - For participants age 11-17, including arts and activism, technology, songwriting, and artist development. Virtual programming is under development for these and others.
Scholarships - Available for all applicants to increase accessibility to music education.
Needs
YEAH! depends on donations and grant support for the following yearly expenses:
1. Scholarship Fund: we are committed to providing programming for all youth regardless of economic background. Fifty-five percent of our campers apply for a partial or full scholarship. Contributions toward our registration fee of $450 - $10,000.
2. Equipment: storage, purchase, transporta and repairs for musical equipment for year-round programs promotional, performance, etc.) - $20,000
3. Programming: marketing, livable wages for staff and teachers, transportation, transit friendly venue rental, showcase and supply increasing expenses - $60,000
WAYS TO SUPPORT YEAH!
Register for our programs - June 2024 camp dates coming soon!
Donate to our scholarship funds
Shop at our store - shop.yeahrocks.org
Volunteer at our community events, teach at one of our programs
Become a board member
Spread the word about our impact
CEO Statement
As we reflect on the past year at YEAH!, I am immensely proud to witness the profound impact our programs have had on our youth community. At YEAH!, music serves not just as a melody but as a powerful tool for self-expression and societal transformation.
Our commitment to fostering simultaneous self-care and creative expression creates a unique space for genuine growth, both musically and emotionally. In every program, we prioritize collaboration over competition, ensuring that each child's contributions are not only acknowledged but also celebrated.
Our vision for YEAH! extends beyond music education; it aspires to provide a robust, creative, and interconnected community where taking risks, fueling innovation and developing trust is not just encouraged but becomes the norm
We look forward to working together with our funders, partners and new collaborators to further expand spaces for connection, creation and communication.
Our community is for everyone. Together, we are building a harmonious future!
Sincerely,
Mariela Moscoso
mariela@yeahrocks.org
Board Chair Statement
The YEAH! Board Members and I are proud to contribute to an organization providing groundbreaking music and life opportunities for youth. Sustaining this work is no small feat. It relies on the support of a dedicated team and the collective effort of a community committed to creativity and connection.
With over two decades of operation, YEAH! faces the challenge of envisioning long-term growth to secure these opportunities for generations. This requires effective fundraising and strategic planning beyond yearly programming. The Board and I are committed to increasing our team's compensation and scholarship funding, ensuring our passionate arts professionals and young leaders can continue their invaluable work.
Moreover, our commitment also extends to ensuring YEAH! is an inclusive and equitable space. Through Active engagement, education, and self-examination, we strive for a welcoming and musical YEAH!
Your continued support is instrumental in making this vision a reality.
Thank you,
Janus Pan
janus@yeahrocks.org
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Arts, Culture & Humanities - Arts,Culture & Humanities NEC |
| Secondary Category: | Youth Development - Youth Development NEC |
| Tertiary Category: | Community Improvement, Capacity Building - Community & Neighborhood Development |
Areas Served
YEAH! is committed to serving all youth in Middle Tennessee.
| TN - Davidson |
| TN - Rutherford |
| TN - Wilson |
| TN - Williamson |
| TN - Cheatham |
| TN - Sumner |
