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Camp Rock Girls Rock! Des Moines is a dynamic difference-maker. BY JOHN BUSBEE “Music makes us want to live. You don’t know how many times people have told me that they’d been down … But then a special song caught their ear and that helped give them renewed strength. That’s the power music has.” ––Mary J. Blige
instrument, put into a band, learn a cover song and write an original song. Both the cover song and original are performed on stage at the end of camp at a local music venue in front of hundreds of people.” The program beckons its participating artists “to explore their rocking selves, develop creative “Everyone looks to an artist for something more habits, and discover what inspires them.” The than just the music, and that message of being benefits to such education is well-documented comfortable in my own skin is number one for me.” in research. ––Lizzo “When you’re a musician and you’re playing an instrument, you have to be using more irls Rock! Des Moines (GR!DSM) is of your brain,” says Dr. Eric Rasmussen, chair a powerful music program for young of the Early Childhood Music Department at women and gender nonconforming the Peabody Preparatory of Johns Hopkins youth aged 8 to 18 using music, songwriting and unity to express themselves and elevate their cre- University. “There is a massive benefit from being musiativity Since its initial summer camp in 2013, cal that we don’t understand, but it’s individual. GR!DSM has conducted 19 summer camps, uti- Music is for music’s sake,” Rasmussen adds. “It gives you a better understanding of yourself. The lizing 247 volunteers and staff, for 586 campers horizons are higher when you are involved in served. Add weekend retreats, special events music. Your understanding of art and the world, and the network of creative connectivity, and GR!DSM’s influence is year-round, anchored by and how you can think and express yourself, are enhanced.” its summer camps. GR!DSM is a vibrant, thriving example of Results over 10 years of success include 16 alwhat Rasmussen describes. bums produced and more than 160 original songs “Less than 5 percent of the people who create developed, performed and recorded. The program now engages 150 girls each summer. Staff, the sounds and media we consume every day are volunteer mentors and support now number 60. women or gender nonconforming individuals,” Roberts said. “We’re on a mission to change that! Twenty-four bands were created, and $17,500 Roberts’ pride is evident as she recalls past awarded in scholarships. Girls Rock! finale concerts, noting the transforThese are some of the impressive results that mations she witnessed in a few short days. GR!DSM boasts. “I’ve seen kiddos walk into camp the first day “We like to say that what we do has a ripple scared to talk to anyone,” she said, “and by the effect,” explains Jodi Roberts, Girls Rock! Board President. “I’d say the biggest thing is equipping end of camp, they are performing on stage at our youth to find their voice and develop confi- Wooly’s in front of hundreds of people and are owning it!” dence.” “A lot of the summer camp participants have never played an instrument before or have John Busbee works as an independent voice for very little experience. They are assigned an Iowa’s cultural scene.
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16 July 2022 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LVDSM4
