Melody Matters: Fund Youth Music Camp Scholarships

For over 20 years, YEAH! has nurtured youth artistic expression through its inclusive community and diverse music programs. Our commitment to accessibility ensures that every young person, regardless of socioeconomic status, skill level, identity or cultural background, has access to high-quality musical instruction, resources and engagement.

Your donation directly supports our Scholarship fund and operating expenses.

A recent survey from the Tennessee Nonprofit Network shows the funding challenges we share with many nonprofits in our area. The need to ensure a strong operational foundation allows YEAH! to deliver our quality and effective programming to our youth.

By adhering to our values of empowerment, inclusivity, collaboration and access, we aim to create a lasting and positive impact on the lives of young people.

Donors like you contribute significantly to shaping a positive future by advocating for music education and community development. Together, let's strive to build a harmonious world where every youth can realize their full potential by embracing the transformative power of music. Join us in this meaningful journey!

Youth Served

2019 - 285

2023 - 49

The pandemic directly impacted our in-person programs, but our hope is that by 2025 we will return to serving 200 young people during two weeks of YEAH! Rocks Summer camp.

DEMOGRAPHICS

Our focus targets historically underserved communities in Metro Nashville, prioritizing low-income families, people of color, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals. In FY23, 27% were persons of color, 40% from lower-income families, 22% with disabilities, 23% LGBTQ+, 62% female, and 54% scholarship recipients. This deliberate approach reflects our commitment to providing inclusive and tailored arts experiences, appreciating the values, challenges, and aspirations of these communities.

EQUITY IN ACTION: How YEAH! Rocks embodies equity in our team and programs

Reflective Programming: YEAH! showcases diverse expressions to foster a sense of belonging. Our staff, curriculum, and panels highlight a spectrum of gender, racial, cultural, and ability richness.

Inclusive Planning: Stakeholders and constituents from diverse backgrounds are actively involved in the decision-making process, providing perspective, ensuring relevance, and responding to the needs and interests of our participants. Our curriculum, which includes instrument instruction, workshops, panels, band development, and guest performers, is shaped by a range of voices to promote inclusivity and diversity in our programs.

Scholarships: YEAH! offers partial or full financial assistance to all applicants, ensuring accessibility for individuals from low-income households, rural residents, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

Location Accessibility: Our program locations are strategically chosen to ensure accessibility for all participants, regardless of their geographic location or socioeconomic background. This approach fosters collaboration over competition and aligns with our commitment to bridging gaps in arts access, promoting creative expression, building community, and developing essential life skills among all individuals involved in our programs.

Outreach: We engage in bilingual promotion, forge community partnerships, participate in various community events, offer transportation assistance, choose centralized venue locations, provide fair compensation, scholarships, and loaner instruments to further the reach and accessibility of our services.

Training: Cultural competency training enhances understanding of DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility), collaboration, youth wellness and music advocacy among our team members..

Feedback Continuous Improvement: We conduct surveys and maintain continuous conversations with stakeholders to enhance community relationships. Increased focus groups, committees, and alumni involvement strengthen our responsiveness and ensure that our programs remain relevant and strengthen our responsiveness.

2023 camper survey results:

100% increased their skills at playing an instrument or singing.

70% learned or developed skills other than their instrument.

100% would like to continue playing and learning about music.

100% said they collaborated with new people who were different from them in age, musical experience, music taste, or from a different background.

CAMPER TESTIMONIALS

“I learned that everyone has different interests and beliefs so it is really fun to collaborate with different people.”

“My first opportunity enjoying YEAH’s workshops and I was so impressed with the process and focus. Being included, my ideas taken into consideration is empowering when you are 14.”

“Making music allows me to tackle all challenges both mentally and even physically.”

“[songs and their stories] help me through a lot, like bullying, grief, and loneliness.”

CAREGIVER TESTIMONIALS

"I know that this would be a game changer for her, to collaborate with others, gain confidence in her art form, and see where music can take her. She is hungry to learn more about what it takes to be in a band, play instruments, and meet professionals in the industry…. This outlet is extremely important to her because being in middle school is rough and she has shared with me that with her learning disability the only time she really feels inspired or safe to write is when it is about music or in the form of her own personal lyrics."

"We are struggling to make ends meet every month, and having this scholarship is a great opportunity for her to join such an interesting and amazing program."

“We appreciate you offering this opportunity to her to be in a safe environment where she can learn something positive, develop her musical skills, and feel accepted.”

“There are SO many kids that enjoyed your camp and we’d love to have more options to choose from. Just wanted to make sure that you guys know how popular it is in hopes that you might expand the options.”

Your generous support, no matter the size, is deeply valued and will enable YEAH to continue serving our incredible youth at this year's summer camp!

Visit us at yeahrocks.org, @yeahrocks on Instagram and YouTube!