At Girls Rock! Brisbane (GR!BNE), you’ll form a band, learn an instrument, watch live music performances, participate in creative and confidence building workshops—like screen printing band t-shirts, songwriting, rock’n’roll fitness and self defence—and write an original song to be performed at the end of the week.
GR!BNE aims to empower girls aged 10-17 years old through a week-long mentorship program that encourages creativity, self-expression and teamwork through music.
Girls Rock! Brisbane is open to self-identified girl, trans and gender non-conforming youth aged 10-17. No music experience necessary!
The next GR!BNE will be in the September 2019 school holidays at Backbone Youth Arts, East Brisbane.
September 2019
Where: Backbone Youth Arts, 38 Lytton Road, East Brisbane
When: Monday 23 – Friday 27 September 2019, 9am-3.30pm. Drop off from 8.30am, pick up by 5pm.
Showcase: Saturday 28 September, 11am-3pm at Backbone.
Cost: $470 for the week.
Camper participation in the showcase is a mandatory part of attendance. Campers will depend on their band mates to be there at rehearsals, so please make sure the camper will be able to attend the WHOLE week of camp.
Backbone is a safe and secure venue. Backbone and GR!BNE staff have Blue Cards.
The cost of GR!BNE has been determined to be similar to other holiday activities for kids in Brisbane.
There are a small number of full and partial scholarships for each camp, giving kids from disadvantaged backgrounds a chance to participate in GR!BNE. Campers who would like a scholarship should indicate this on their registration form; we will then be in touch via email with details on how to apply for your scholarship.
Musical Mentors
Musical mentors for GR!BNE January 2019 were Zoe Wilson, Sonya Chamberlain and Amy-Rose Heard of WHALEHOUSE; Ash Kerley, Marville; Melany Armstrong; Michelle Bowden, Koko Uzi and Chopper Division; Ruby McGregor, Catalano and Babaganoüj; Jodie Lawson, Flangipanis; Deb Suckling, Brindle and SUGARRUSH Records.
During GR!BNE campers were treated to live music performances from WHALEHOUSE, Deb Suckling, The Stress of Leisure, Adele Pickvance & The Chandeliers, and Show Ponies.
Express Yourself Piece
We ask each applicant to submit an Express Yourself piece as part of their application. Here’s your chance to tell us a bit about yourself! We want to know who you are and why you want to attend Girls Rock! Brisbane. The Express Yourself piece can be in any format you choose, such as a letter, story, drawing, painting, song, video, collage, etc. The purpose of the piece is to get to know our prospective campers and find out why they’re excited to come to camp. Please e-mail this piece to us, with ‘[Your Name] – Express Yourself’ as the subject heading.
This piece is OPTIONAL, but we would love all potential campers to submit something.
Please note that applications and “Express Yourself” pieces are NOT reviewed for artistic merit in particular. Instead, the Express Yourself piece helps us get a sense of the applicant and helps assemble a camper group that is diverse in experience and perspective.
FAQ for Guardians
Why a rock camp just for girls? Can my son come too?
The strength of Girls Rock Camp is its focus on female empowerment; music is the vehicle for positive messaging. We show young girls that they can write music, play instruments, sing, and perform as well as anyone who puts their mind to it. We’re working for a better future for girls who want to rock in whatever endeavour they choose.
Each band at GR!BNE is paired with at least two positive female mentors who will model respectful, positive behaviour, strong self-confidence and promote healthy band dynamics. Through music lessons, workshops and live performances, GR!BNE shows girls that their voices and actions are valued and not only can, but should, be heard. By pairing girls with mentors who are able to relate to the challenges facing young women in the music industry and engaging them in active, creative roles, GR!BNE encourages girls to speak up, express themselves and make some noise!
Why should my child make an Express Yourself piece? What if it’s not very good?
We would like prospective campers to take some time to communicate why they want to be a part of GR!BNE by creating an Express Yourself piece. It helps us gauge more about each applicant. We only ask that they put effort into what they create. If they do, we are confident that it will be good!
Girls Rock! Brisbane 