FORM A BAND! WRITE, RECORD & PERFORM YOUR OWN SONGS!

Take home a professional recording of your music —and so much more: confidence, pride, and a new community of friends.

 
  • Ages 9-13

  • No Experience Necessary

  • Scholarships Available (No one turned away for lack of funds)

  • In-Person and Virtual Camps Available

 
 

Summer Rock Camps at My Voice Music in Portland, Oregon offer an intro to writing, recording and performing music for Portland-area youth ages 9-13. Campers work with experienced Teaching Artists to:

  • Learn how to play new instruments and sing

  • Improve their skills on instruments they already play

  • Write songs

  • Form a band and perform for friends & family on stage on the last day of camp

  • Record in our professional studio and take home a CD of their songs

We intend to provide in-person rock camps as the health and safety protocols allow. Note that rock camp dates and formats are subject to change, and our operations will be determined by guidelines set forth by the state and the building in which we operate.

 
 
 

2022 VIRTUAL ROCK CAMP DATES

JUNE 20-23, 2022

Monday-Thursday, 9am-noon on Zoom
Cost: $140

2022 IN-PERSON ROCK CAMP DATES

JULY 11—15, 2022
JULY 18—22, 2022
AUGUST 01—05, 2022
AUGUST 15—19, 2022
AUGUST 22—26,2022
AUGUST 29—SEPTEMBER 02, 2022

Monday—Friday, 12:30—4:30pm
Cost: $320
Optional aftercare from 4:30-5:30pm, $15/day.

Email register@myvoicemusic.org to get on our waitlist if your preferred camp sold out.

SCHOLARSHIPS

To request a full or partial scholarship (no questions asked), please email register@myvoicemusic.org and our staff will get back to you as soon as possible, or call 971-533-8953. 

PLAY IT FORWARD

Your child’s program fee pays for a student who can’t afford one.


My Voice Music reserves the right to reschedule or cancel rock camps if they do not meet capacity requirements.

Questions? Read Our FAQ.

 
 
 
 
 
I love how much room My Voice Music gives you to discover your own style of music. I think that music is a great way to express yourself and it’s nice to be able to create MY MUSIC with a positive push behind me.
— Dammon, My Voice Music Student
One thing that My Voice Music [Summer Rock Camps] does really well is making music accessible. It was so important during COVID when so many things have been stripped away.
— Janelle, MVM Rock Camp Parent
Come back, come back, come back to where you’ll be home… where you can sing your favorite song, where no one can tell you that you’re wrong…
— Olivia, MVM Student. Lyrics from “Song for Rock Camp”
As much as it’s a music program, it’s also a youth program. MVM elevates kids through music. They want kids to feel like they belong. To feel empowered and confident.
— Jennifer, MVM Rock Camp Parent 
I truly thought I couldn’t get any prouder than the day I saw [my two children] singing and performing and having the time of their life…up on stage with all the lights, instruments, and fantastic sounds... When my daughter was up on stage belting out her song, the energy, the healing that shown through, told me that everything was going to be alright. That WE were going to be alright! …Thank you for allowing my children to enjoy such a life changing experience!
— Kelly, MVM Rock Camp Parent
This is the best money I have ever spent for my child.
— Anonymous Rock Camp Parent
Thank you! You made one of my dreams come true. I am so passionate about my music. I just want people to hear the message that I am trying to send and you made that possible. I can truly say, I would not be the man I am today without My Voice Music. Thank you so much.
— Christian My Voice Music Graduate
 

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS? WE HAVE ANSWERS!

(CHECK OUT OUR FAQ)

What safety measures are in place for in-person camps?

  • All campers and staff are required to wear face masks.

  • Rock Camp staff is fully vaccinated and up-to-date as they are eligible.

  • Instruments and high-touch points sanitized daily.

  • Campers will be assigned their own instruments for the week.

  • Limit of 10 campers per week.

  • Air purifiers in each room and gathering space, windows open where possible.

  • 6 feet of physical distancing at all times.

What will virtual camps look like?

We are coming up with ways to facilitate virtual camps and have been meeting with other music nonprofits to share information and generate some great ideas.  We will assess every possibility in the coming weeks and send out updates as we have them.  What we do know about virtual camps: 

  • They will be shorter in duration each day (9am-noon) and likely require some parent involvement (helping tune instruments for example). 

  • We will have rental instruments available as our capacity allows.

  • Camps will be four days in length, from Monday through Thursday.

  • In lieu of our usual end-of-camp performance, we will have a virtual Show and Share/Open Mic open to friends and family of campers.

What is My Voice Music Rock Camp?

Summer Rock Camp at MVM Studios offers a unique experience for Portland-area youth aged 9-13. Over the span of our week-long camps, participants create a band, and then write, record, and perform their own songs. At the end of the week, every camper goes home with a recording of their music—and so much more: confidence, pride, and a new community of friends.

Where and when do Rock Camps take place?

Virtual Rock Camps take place over Zoom meetings. One sessions will be offered in 2022: June 20-23.

In-person Rock Camps will take at MVM Studios in the Sunnyside Community House at 3520 SE Yamhill St, Portland, 97214. Six sessions will be offered in 2022:

JULY 11—15, 2022
JULY 18—22, 2022
AUGUST 01—05, 2022
AUGUST 15—19, 2022
AUGUST 22—26,2022
AUGUST 29—SEPT 02, 2022

What makes My Voice Music unique from other rock camps?

Unlike other rock camps that focus exclusively on performance, at MVM Rock Camps, campers create a band, and then write, record, and perform their own songs—all in the space of a week. My Voice Music is a nonprofit organization based in Portland, Oregon, that amplifies young voices and ignites self-discovery through music. As our name suggests, our vision is that all youth have the opportunity to find and share their artistic voice. Our programs are guided by three core beliefs: † being a part of, and contributing something positive to, a community is transformative and empowering; positive relationships provide guidance and foster a sense of social accountability; and engaging, relevant, and challenging experiences can connect with individuals in a unique way and teach skills that can be used for a lifetime. This approach makes My Voice Music Rock Camp an opportunity for personal growth and community building, in addition to music education and rocking out.

Can you tell me about your instructors? Are they trained?

Our Rock Camps are run by professionally trained instructors, who happen to be awesome musicians, too. They’re assisted by student teachers (many of whom are former campers) whose enthusiasm, maturity and leadership helped them earn invitations to return in this key supporting role. All staff and student teachers participate in intensive pre-camp training and ongoing learning and supervision throughout the summer.

Do kids need prior music experience to be in Rock Camp?

Nope! Kids with any level of music experience are guaranteed to learn, grow and have a blast at MVM Rock Camp.

Do kids need to have their own instruments to be in Rock Camp?

No instruments needed! MVM provides all the instruments, though rock campers can bring their own instruments if desired.

How big are your camps?

Virtual camps can accommodate up to 10 campers. In-person camps in 2022 will be limited to 10 campers per week.

What is the student-to-instructor ratio?

All sessions have at least a 1:3 staff-to-student ratio. Each camp is run by our experienced Rock Camp director, who is assisted by carefully selected student leaders. All staff and student leaders go through extensive, ongoing training on best practices when working with youth.

What measures are in place to ensure my camper is safe?

We have a “rule of three” at My Voice Music: There are always three My Voice Music participants or staff in any room at any time. Our restrooms are individual rooms with locks. Students go with a staff person to use the restroom, and staff waits outside. All of our high school interns are trained on best practices for youth programming and receive ongoing training and supervision throughout the summer. Sunnyside Community House is a locked, secure building; in order to gain entrance, you have to be let in by a staff person.

I saw that “Play It Forward” message on My Voice Music’s materials. What’s that about?

By paying full tuition at My Voice Music, you automatically provide access to music programs for youth who can’t afford it. Learn more about our Play It Forward scholarship model.

I’m not sure my family can afford the full cost of Rock Camp. Are there scholarships available?

Scholarships are always available for My Voice Music programs, no questions asked. Click here to view our discount options.

Can my child and their friends all be in the same band?

We divide campers into bands with the goal of creating an equal representation of experienced musicians and newbies across each group. This means there is no guarantee campers will be placed with their friends though we will try to accommodate requests. This approach assures each band can thrive during the songwriting, recording and performance opportunities at camp! There are opportunities for friends to join a band together exclusively through our "Band on Demand" classes (See more on our classes registration page).