Boarding Schools for Girls

For the past four years, young female musicians and would-be musicians in Minnesota have had the opportunity to spend part of their summer vacation at the state's first (and, thus far, only) rock and roll camp for girls.

Nick Ferraro reported on Girls Rock 'n' Roll Retreat in the Aug. 3 edition of The Pioneer Press:

"If you look at the rock music industry, it's very male-dominated," said Edie Baumgart, executive director of Girls Rock 'n' Roll Retreat, a five-day camp held at the Perpich Center for Arts Education in Golden Valley. "We want to create another generation of women musicians."

The day camp is aimed at teaching girls ages 9 to 16 how to write songs, play instruments and sing  no matter their talent level. It's capped off with a concert for family and friends at the arts center.

"Some [of the campers] have never played an instrument, and there's something really important about writing and working as a team and playing in a concert," Baumgart told The Pioneer Press. "It lets them understand they can accomplish things. And you know what? Music is fun, and they want to be there."

Labels: girls, summer, music

Posted By: Aspen/CRC