Girls Rock Aotearoa has been inspiring women, trans, takatāpui, intersex, and gender diverse youth form bands, build instrumental skills, and write original songs since 2018. We're proud to announce that our To the Front Tāmaki Makaurau programme is back for 2023!
Held Monday 16 January to Saturday 21 January 2023, To The Front is open to youth aged 12-17 years who are women, intersex, trans, takatāpui and gender diverse. They’ll learn instruments, form bands, write original songs, and perform at a showcase, all guided by professional musicians in a women-led environment. Alongside collaborative learning, participants will take part in workshops about DIY merchandise, songwriting and performance skills. Each day they’ll enjoy lunchtime performances from local artists. Once again the programme will be hosted by our key sponsor, SAE Creative Media Institute Auckland, allowing us access to their state of the art recording studios and equipment. 2023 also sees the continuation of the successful electronic stream, where youth have the opportunity to get hands on with digital music production. All applications are open now! Head to Tāmaki Makaurau / AKLD | Girls Rock! Aotearoa (girlsrockcamp.co.nz) to apply.
Intern Programme
If you've already been a part of Girls Rock/To The Front and want to challenge yourself to try something new, we're looking for 16-19 year-olds to be a part of our intern programme, developing our next generation of To The Front organisers. As well as helping out coordinators with day-to-day operations at the programme, you'll participate in specialty workshops illuminating paths for music beyond high school, form an intern band to perform at our showcase, and develop new networks by getting to know our coordinators, mentors, and your fellow interns
The kaupapa of Girls Rock is to empower youth by giving them practical skills and role models in a safe, supportive space.
In 2017, Kiwi feminist music lovers and musicians came together to launch Aotearoa’s version of this global programme, from bands like Street Chant, The Beths, Carb on Carb, Wax Chattels and more. From there, the Girls Rock whanau has continued to grow, expanding to Pōneke/Wellington and Te Papaioea/Palmerston North.
"TTF is the perfect environment for creative discovery and meeting like minded people." says Street Chant musician and Billie Rogers. "We aim to support a bright future for mentors and participants alike. Being your authentic self is the best way to go!"
The participants are equally enthusiastic and found their mentors “were incredible and supportive and helped inspire me a lot"
"Its been an amazing time to properly be able to develop my musical skills. I've made some new friends and have experienced new opportunities that I will remember well into the future."
More info:
Head to Girls Rock! Aotearoa | Inspiring youth through music (girlsrockcamp.co.nz) for more info!