Feel the Beat of Change: July’s YEAH! UPDATES
Think deeper for a moment: music isn’t just a soundtrack, it’s the heartbeat of our community and the spark that fuels youth empowerment.
Below, you’ll find Rock Block fall registration, auditions for LOVE UNITED, a 5-day #YEAHChallenge to boost wellness, and spotlights on youth voices like our volunteer’s new single “Pride”. Each story and opportunity shows how collective action and generosity transform lives through song.
Scroll on and register, audition, challenge yourself, or donate to keep this movement alive.
Thank you for helping us create this space. You make the rhythm possible.
- Mariela & Bunny
Rock Block Fall Registration Now Open!
Saturday afternoons, Aug 16–Oct 11
Random Sample, 4904 Charlotte Ave., Nashville
Final Showcase: Oct 11th at 3:00 PM at Random Sample
Who Should Join? 13 - 17 year olds with basic instrument skills (bass, drums, guitar, keys, or vocals) ready to take their sound to the next level.
Why Rock Block?
Forge your band and write original songs
Master rehearsal techniques and creative collaboration
Develop stage presence, branding, and live-performance confidence
Showcase your work in front of friends, family, and the community
Program Details
High-energy sessions of hands-on instruction
Expert teaching artists guiding songwriting, arrangement, and performance prep
Supportive peer community for inspiration and feedback
Program Cost: $350
Early-Bird Special: Save 10% when you register by July 31 with code RB10
Ready to rock? More info and registration HERE
Limited scholarships available -- email programs@yeahrocks.org for more information about scholarships.
Volunteer Spotlight
Meet Alaena - a teen guitarist whose volunteer spirit fuels our mission - and listen to her debut single “Pride”, proof that making music and making a difference go hand in hand.
“I thought of the first line ‘Pride means nothing to me, it’s just confidence baby’ randomly one day and knew I had to use it in a song.”
Alaena wrote “Pride” in about an hour, unexpectedly crafting a love song with queer undertones. After a school performance, her parents pointed out, “Alaena, the song is named Pride,” a moment that reframed the song’s meaning and its link to Queer Pride.
“I hope my song can help encourage people to be themselves and love whoever they want,” she says. That kind of message is exactly what YEAH! stands for and we are thrilled to call her a volunteer with YEAH! through the 2026 Fall Semester.
LISTEN TO "PRIDE" HERE
Calling Youth Singers, Poets, & Musicians…
Not only will our ForgetMeNots band from YEAH! Rocks Music Camp this June be representing YEAH! on stage at the Ryman on October 17th, but we are also proud to support our friends at L.O.V.E. Academy as they build their very own youth band LOVE UNITED for another powerhouse performance on October 25th, opening for Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit!
This is more than a gig, it’s a statement. LOVE UNITED, in addition to the other incredible organizations that Jason has invited to support him during his residency at the Ryman, will amplify the values that YEAH! holds dear: youth empowerment, artistic excellence, and building community through music.
If you're 13–17 and ready to make your voice heard, come try out:
Auditions Date: July 26, 2025
Time: 1:30pm–3:00pm
Location: Sangtuary (1718 14th Ave N)
Bring a 1:30–2:00 audition piece that showcases your unique artistry
Sign Up Here! Questions? Email info@loveacademynashville.org
Together, we rise and we sing.
Soundtrack of Change - Music Builds Brains, Bridges, and Belonging
Beats Beyond Borders highlights how music education empowers youth from diverse backgrounds to express identity, build confidence, and connect across cultures.
Music is the voice of change! Marshall Muze, the multi-talented musician, songwriter, and producer, shares his inspiring journey with Beyond Music and shares how music helped him find his voice and build bridges across cultures.
Email us at director@yeahroocks.org about how you or others use music to lead change!
Why Rock Block? Because Music Builds More Than Songs
#YEAHCHALLENGE -- Our 5-Day Music Challenge
We invite you to join the #YEAHCHALLENGE: a 5-day journey to spark joy, unlock creativity, and reconnect with rhythm. Each day brings a simple, feel-good action rooted in music, movement, and self-expression.
DAY 1: Move to the Beat
Explore a form of movement-based music that gets you feeling alive - whether it’s drumming, dancing, or karaoke in the living room. Bonus: Invite a friend or family member to join you.
DAY 2: Your Emotional Anthem
Post or write about a song that has helped you regulate emotions: a track that grounds you, gives you strength, or affirms who you are. Bonus: Share a lyric that still gives you chills.
DAY 3: Shower Solo Superstar
That’s right! We’re making singing in the shower an official act of wellness. Pick your favorite belt-able anthem and let it echo. Bonus: It counts even if your shampoo bottle doesn’t clap.
DAY 4: 3-Minute Groove Reset
Put on a song with a beat that lifts your mood and just dance. No choreography. No pressure. Just joy. Bonus: Post your “before/after” vibe check.
DAY 5: Lyrics That Live in You
Write down one lyric that you carry with you. Tape it to your mirror, notebook, or fridge. Bonus: tag us and say why it matters. “They told me I couldn't, so I did.” - that kind of energy.
Ready to jump in?
Tag us on social media using #YEAHCHALLENGE and let us know how music helped you move through the moment. Whether you're an alum, parent, caregiver, supporter, or future participant, this challenge is for everyone.
Sample post for day #1 - “I did 5 minutes of freestyle dance in my kitchen and accidentally invented a move called ‘The Overcaffeinated Flamingo.’” - #YEAHCHALLENGE Participant
Let’s make wellness loud, honest, and joyful.
Calling all ladies who want to rock!
We’ve heard from our community that YEAH!'s Ladies Rock Camp continues to meet a unique need, and we’re listening. While YEAH! has shifted away from gender-specific youth programming to promote broader inclusivity, there remains a strong interest in an adult-focused space centered on female-identifying individuals, including cisgender and transgender women.
This weekend experience is about more than just music. It’s a chance to build confidence, reclaim space in a historically male-dominated industry, and find joy in unapologetic self-expression. Past participants have gone on to become volunteers, professional artists, and mentors, deepening their impact and connection to YEAH!’s mission.
We’re considering bringing back Ladies Rock on November 6–9 (Thursday evening through Sunday afternoon), but we need your input before we commit.
Program Cost: $300, which helps fund youth scholarships and sustain our year-round programming through a mission-aligned, empowering weekend.
Interested in participating or supporting? Let us know you’re interested, whether you’d want to sign up or volunteer. Your interest will help shape whether and how this program returns. Email Bunny at programs@yeahrocks.org to let us know!
Together, we’re imagining what an inclusive, adult-focused music experience can look like: one that’s loud, bold, and built on solidarity.
Why Your Support Matters
At YEAH!, we believe music can build confidence, amplify culture, and create space where youth feel seen, supported, and inspired. Access shouldn't depend on income. Your donation helps us break down barriers and amplify the voices of youth from all backgrounds.
Your gift helps us fund:
* Inclusive, youth-led programming
* Scholarships that make camp accessible for families in need
* Instruments, gear, and tech that bring creativity to life
* Fair wages for teaching artists who mentor with care
* Community-centered venues and showcases that celebrate youth
Let’s keep the momentum going!
Join our Board of Directors — 2-year term, next meeting August 27
Volunteer — Drum kit maintenance and Ladies Rock instructors needed. Email programs@yeahrocks.org if you'd like to help out.
Shop at Kroger? — Select YEAH! as your charity of choice.
Share Your Story — How has YEAH! or music impacted you? Email us at director@yeahrocks.org.
Become a Sustaining Donor or Donate to our Scholarship Fund
UPCOMING EVENTS:
July 19: YEAH! youth performances at Teens Take the Frist
July 24-27: Kindling Arts Festival 2025: Fortunes and Fates in West Nashville
July 24 - Benefit Concert for Conexión Américas with Grammy nominees, and hitmakers, Laura Veltz and Jimmy Robbins
August 8-9: Tomato Art Festival
August 12: Genesis Inspiration Foundation check presentation at The Forge
September 7: YEAH! youth band performance at the Nashville Fair during their Hispanic Cultural Celebration Day
September 11-17: National Arts in Education Week
September 27: Kidsville Family Festival
October 17: YEAH!'s ForgetMeNots youth band opening for Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit at The Ryman - Get tickets here!
Send us information about relevant events you’d like us to share next month at director@yeahrocks.org