Girls Rock Detroit music camp turns young women into rock stars during transformative week

In the heart of the Motor City, a remarkable organization is harmonizing with the dreams of young girls, helping them find their voices through the power of music. Girls Rock Detroit, a nonprofit that empowers young women through music education and self-expression, is striking a chord that resonates with both participants and the community at large.

The heart of Girls Rock's mission is a weeklong camp, ending with a musical showcase. It's a transformative experience for girls ages 8 to 16, who come together to learn to play instruments, explore songwriting, stage presence and the importance of teamwork. On the day of the Girls Rock Detroit showcase, the hallways of Detroit Prep, an elementary school on Detroit's east side, were filled with vocal rock shrills, pounding drumbeats, rhythmic piano chords and guitar licks as the girls prepared for the big performance.

Girls Rock Detroit, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was founded in 2014 and is an active member of the national Girls Rock Camp Alliance, built and run by a community of 150-plus volunteers who have served over 163 youths in the rock camp program. “It warms my heart to witness the excitement of a child as they hold an instrument for the first time and the confidence exuded as they step on stage to perform,” says Nicole Mallory, co-director of the program and an active drummer in the Detroit community.

Mallory and Paige Huguelet are the new co-directors, taking over from Lauren Glapa. And that’s how it goes. Women stepping up and dedicating their time to something they believe in: creating a space where girls and gender-expansive youths can feel empowered and confident, not just musically, but in life, so that their voices can be heard loud and clear. Huguelet, a former GRD camper at 15 years old, recently graduated from Wayne State University with a degree in jazz guitar. “When you're in a community, in an environment of just women and just nonbinary people, it can feel really empowering to learn in that space and not feel so anxious and like you're subjected to sexism and criticism,” Huguelet says.

What sets Girls Rock Detroit apart is its commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. The organization offers scholarships, to ensure that no girl is turned away because of financial barriers. For one night only on Nov. 5, Girls Rock is hosting a benefit showcase, Rock Roulette, at The Loving Touch in Ferndale. Featuring Hot Waxx Saloon, LAG, The Flow, Purple Crescendo and Full Bangs, the event aims to raise $10,000 to go toward student scholarships. This is the first time it has held the fundraiser since before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019. Huguelet says she hopes to expand the summer camp locations and is looking for community spaces.

On that Friday, Glapa popped out homemade buttons from a button maker machine, while girls crowded around her designing creative band logos like “National Rat Day” and “The 11 Dead Beats.” In between rehearsals, Dakarai Carter and Kamaria Gray, of Detroit Hoodstead, gave dance lessons on how to do the electric slide, while singer Baddie Brooks performed her iTunes hit "Buss Down Wig," which was a vibe, ending her performance with a ballad on the trumpet.

With a one … one, two, three, four of the drumsticks, the day culminated with the Girls Rock showcase at Spread Art gallery in Detroit. After performing to a packed room, the girls received hugs, flowers and guitars for their performances. Huguelet says showcase day is stressful, but it's worth it to see girls who were scared at first at the idea of performing onstage now be excited to perform for family, friends and grandma. “It really feels like we’ve accomplished something,” Huguelet says. “We’ve accomplished our mission.”

With each note, each lyric, and each beat, these young musicians are finding their voices and inspiring others to do the same. Through the transformative power of music, Girls Rock Detroit is fostering a generation of empowered young women who are ready to make their mark, both on and off the stage.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Girls Rock Detroit music camp champions gender, economic inclusivity