Girls Rock! Camp Aotearoa Returning In 2019

Girls Rock! Camp Aotearoa have announced applications are now open for campers (ages 12 to 17) and mentors to participate in next year's week-long musical holiday programme, which aims to "empower young women, transgender and gender non-conforming youth by giving them practical skills and role models in a safe, supportive space." The initiative is returning to Central Auckland's MAINZ (Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand) in late January, and culminates with an artist showcase event at the end of the week. This year's first New Zealand camp was a significant success, with members of Street Chant, The Beths, Hex, carb on carb and Wax Chattels contributing their considerable skills to create a supportive space for our next generation of musical superstars. GRCA 2018 Chairperson and carb on carb member Nicole Gaffney shared her enthusiasm for the programme in a statement...

“The amount of support and encouragement I've experienced through Girls Rock! Camp is unlike anything I've ever encountered before... We’re trying to create an environment we wish we had when we first started playing music and interacting with music scenes. A space where you feel truly accepted and supported by your peers and by the people you look up to.”

Watch a short informative video about the programme below, for details on how to apply head along to their website here.

Press release:

Girls Rock! Camp Aotearoa is back after its successful first year Applications are now open for Auckland 2019

Girls Rock! Camp Aotearoa 2018 (GRCA) was so successful in its aim to help young women* form bands, learn instruments and write original songs, that it’s back for a second year.

Applications are now open for this unique holiday programme where music is the medium to build confidence and foster social change. The programme will be held again at MAINZ (Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand) in Auckland’s CBD from Monday 21- Friday 25 January 2019, with a showcase on Saturday 26 January.

The programme is open to young women, transgender and gender non-conforming youth aged between 12-17 years old who will learn instruments, form bands and write an original song, guided by professional musicians in a women-run environment.

The kaupapa of Girls Rock! Camp is to empower young women, transgender and gender non-conforming youth by giving them practical skills and role models in a safe, supportive space.

How did it begin? Kiwi feminist music lovers and musicians came together last year to launch the Aotearoa version of this global programme. They come from bands like Street Chant, The Beths, Carb on Carb, Wax Chattels and more. They’re a growing group, passionate about supporting young women and bridging the music industry gender gap.

So why is now such an important time for women in music? Women are underrepresented in the New Zealand music industry, making up only 23.8 percent of songwriters who belong to APRA AMCOS in New Zealand** and only 10 percent of the total royalty pool paid to writers.***

“The amount of support and encouragement I've experienced through Girls Rock! Camp is unlike anything I've ever encountered before,” says Nicole Gaffney, GRCA 2018 Chairperson.

“We’re trying to create an environment we wish we had when we first started playing music and interacting with music scenes. A space where you feel truly accepted and supported by your peers and by the people you look up to,” she says.

Since the 2018 camp, many of the participants remain great mates. “Everyone was so friendly,” said a 2018 Girls Rock! camper “We all felt part of something fantastic! It got me into singing and helped heaps with my confidence, and I made so many new friends,” she says.

The camp is also looking for mentors to support the campers throughout the week. Applications for campers and mentors are now open: http://girlsrock.co.nz/

*”Young Women” includes female, transgender, intersexual and gender non-conforming youth.
**Source: http://apraamcos.co.nz
***http://apraamcos.co.nz/media/research/2017_Australian_Women_Screen_Composers-Career_Barriers_and_Pathways.pdf