Where Music Meets Movement: MAY 2025 YEAH! UPDATES
"Music is a powerful force that brings people together, fosters creativity, and strengthens communities." Adam Perle, President & CEO of ArtPride New Jersey Foundation.
Traducción al español AQUÍ
Hi, everyone!!
The world is heard and seen when voices rise. When youths step into music, they step into themselves. A single instrument, lyric, or collaboration - it empowers their voice. This is more than music. It’s belonging. It’s power. It’s necessary.
Yet, too often, the arts are treated as an “extra,”— a luxury rather than a foundation. But music shapes creativity, strengthens bonds, and amplifies voices that need to be heard. YEAH! program participants prove that when young artists create, they transform - not just their lives, but the world around them.
YEAH! champions spaces where young artists discover, explore, and express their sound. It’s not just about notes or chords—it’s about connection, growth, and creating something that lasts beyond the stage.
Nonprofits like ours are essential, just like music itself. When we uplift creative spaces, we uplift each other, our communities, and our collective future. The detriment of one is the detriment of all. When we champion and celebrate these spaces, we ensure the rhythm never fades.
Tell us about the power of music in your life at director@yeahrocks.org.
YEAH! . . Let’s make some noise!
- Your YEAH! Team
The Impact of Funding Cuts on Tennessee's Nonprofits
At YEAH!, we believe in the importance of staying informed about broader issues that could impact the future of community-based nonprofits like ours. Recent updates from the National Council of Nonprofits and other trusted sources highlight serious challenges facing the nonprofit sector—including potential federal funding changes that could affect essential community services across the country.
Locally, nearly 400 nonprofits in Davidson County are at risk of losing $1.5 billion in federal funds, according to the Urban Institute and the Nashville Mayor’s Office. Statewide, Tennessee’s 38,266 nonprofits receive approximately $3.8 billion in government grants, with $647.8 million coming from foundations (source: Tennessee Nonprofit Network).
These potential cuts could significantly impact organizations like YEAH!, and thousands of others, that rely on such funding to deliver essential programs, from music education to youth mentorship, and beyond. Reduced investment in the nonprofit sector could lead to fewer programs, limited resources, and less access to creative and critical enrichment opportunities for our communities.
While the future remains uncertain, we’re committed to sustaining investment in youth and music education. We’ll continue to collaborate, adapt, and innovate because we believe in the power of music to uplift, connect, and express, to continue serving our community effectively.
YEAH! ROCKS MUSIC CAMP - 5 more spots left!
Extended Deadline to May 15th
Who: Youth ages 6-17, all skill levels welcome!
When: June 9-13 at Nashville Prep
Showcase, June 14 at The Blue Room
Campers will:
Learn an instrument (no experience needed!)
Form a band and write an original song
Participate in interactive workshops and panels on music, activism, and self-expression
Attend guest performances by local artists of a variety of genres
Perform live at the end-of-week showcase
Register now HERE. Scholarships available HERE.
Questions? Reach out to programs@yeahrocks.org
Insights from Our Rock Block MNPS Teachers
“It was so fun to work with the YEAH Rock Block program to guide students on that journey and watch their confidence and curiosity grow each week!” - Erika Nalow, Rock Block Instructor
“My first thought is how I love how we had to adjust for the students and make sure everybody had an opportunity of being comfortable in the class. The teachers was so amazing and very patient to the students and it really showed that the kids loved it and can't wait to we do it again.” - Lamont Crawley, Rock Block Partner
“It was lovely getting to know the students in the Hartman Park class this semester. They have a great community established, and we were able to visit for a few weeks and talk about guitar, how music can inspire social change, and be an outlet for personal expression. I hope the students continue to explore their musicianship moving forward! “ Emily Verschoor-Kirss, Rock Block Instructor
These quotes underscore the importance of providing youth with opportunities to explore music, fostering creativity, and lifelong engagement. At YEAH!, music education belongs to everyone, not just a few.
Exploring Genres: Music is a gateway to learning about, understanding, and appreciating cultures, perspectives, and histories. We encourage students to dive into elve into varied various musical styles, helping them connect with their past, present, and future.
This year, students in our Rock Block MNPS guitar program explored and learned from iconic tracks such as “When Will We Be Paid” – The Staple Singers (R&B/Soul) “Big Yellow Taxi” – Joni Mitchell (Folk) “Vote ‘Em Out” – Willie Nelson (Country) “What’s Going On” – Marvin Gaye (R&B/Soul) “Get Up Stand Up” – The Wailers (Reggae) “Star-Spangled Banner” (Live at Woodstock) – Jimi Hendrix (Rock)
They also took the stage, performing songs that span across genres: “Good Riddance” – Green Day (Punk Rock) “Smoke on the Water” – Deep Purple (Hard Rock) “Faded” – Alan Walker (Electronic Pop/EDM) “Sunflower” – Post Malone (Hip Hop/Rap/R&B) “Everyday People” – Sly and the Family Stone (Pop Soul) “I'm A Believer” – The Monkees (Pop Rock)
Songwriting for Wellbeing: Beyond learning instruments, YEAH! highlights songwriting as a tool for self-expression, helping both lyric writers and readers process emotions and connect with others.
With youth mental wellness challenges rising among youth over the past five years, creative outlets like songwriting keep the pulse of belonging and they rhythm in sync. When young people have access to these spaces, they have a place to express, heal, and grow – proving that music isn’t just an art form, but the heartbeat of a thriving life.
Southern Word's Summer Studio:
Do you know of a rising 9th through 12th grader who loves writing lyrics, creating melodies, producing, or rapping? Then have them check out Southern Word mentors and new artist collaborators at Summer Studio from June 23 through June 27 from 9:30am to 2:30pm at Nashville Public Library’s Studio NPL.
At Summer Studio, top young artists collaborate and produce the tracks of the summer with support from production, writing, and musical mentors. Youth writers, artists, and producers will create, revise, edit, and polish work in preparation for performance and recording. The program is free to attend with advance registration. Slots are limited. Register HERE.
Engagement in arts and music education offers multifaceted benefits for students. Here's ten reasons why they matter:
1. Enhancing Cognitive Abilities
2. Boosting Academic Performance
3. Strengthening Emotional Expression
4. Encouraging Social Development
5. Cultivating Creativity and Innovation
6. Improving Discipline and Perseverance
7. Reducing Stress and Anxiety
8. Enhancing Cultural Awareness
9. Providing Career Opportunities
10. Building Self-Confidence
*Souce: Mantech Publications
Music isn’t just something you play or listen to, it's something that moves you!
FUEL your creativity. FIND your sound. FEEL your energy.
The arts rock AND are vital for a thriving society. Here are ten compelling reasons why:
1. Arts strengthen the economy.
2. Arts drive revenue to local businesses.
3. Arts unify communities.
4. Arts strengthen mental health and wellbeing.
5. Arts and culture are tourism drivers.
6. Arts improve academic performance.
7. Arts spark creativity and innovation.
8. Arts have a social impact.
9. Arts improve healthcare.
10. Arts for the health and well-being of our military.
*Americans for the Arts
YEAH! Rocks Showcase & Silent Auction
Join us for our YEAH! Rocks Music Camp Showcase & Silent Auction on Saturday, June 14th, at The Blue Room. Experience and celebrate the incredible talent and hard work of our campers as they perform original music they've created during the program. Get Your Tickets HERE
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our current and generous silent auction donors:
Adventure Science Center
Adventure Works
Bates Nursery
Belcourt Theatre
Black Abbey Brewing
Cheekwood Botanical Gardens
Edley's BBQ
Goo Goo Clusters
Grimey's New & Preloved Music
Jack's Guitarcheology
Jackalope Brewing Company
Jeff Zentner
Music Makers Stage
Music Valley Archive
National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM)
Ryman Auditorium Museum
Studio Tenn
The Cheesecake Factory Cool Springs
The Groove
Thank you to Bozman Sign Company for donating our YEAH! Rocks banner starring "Rocky" (they/them), the newest member of the YEAH! camp family, designed by Tobias Limberis! Rocky is a rocking amplifier with a Flying V guitar and a heart full of amplitude. They're here to shred doubts, crank up confidence, and deliver riffs of inspiration and encouragement to our campers all week long.
Keep your eyes (and ears) open! Rocky will be sharing tips for a great camp experience as we get closer to camp. Whether you're a first-time camper or a seasoned stage-diver, Rocky’s here to remind you that you’ve got what it takes to turn it up and let your true self shine. ️
Join our Board of Directors — Application open through May.
Volunteer — We need help with camp load-in/out, the camper showcase, documenting the experience, and more - come be part of the magic!
Shop at Kroger? — Select YEAH! as your charity of choice.
Share Your Story — Has YEAH! impacted you or someone you know? Email us at director@yeahrocks.org.
Become a Sustaining Donor — or Donate to our Scholarship Fund
Create Positive Change! DONATE TODAY!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
June 9-13: YEAH! Rocks Music Camp at Nashville Prep - Register here
June 14: YEAH! Rocks Showcase at The Blue Room, 12pm - Tickets here
June 14: Black on Buchanan: a Juneteenth Celebration, 3pm - Tickets here
June 23-27: Southern Word’s Summer Studio
June 28: Nashville Pride Parade
August 8-9: Tomato Art Festival
September 6-14: Nashville Fair - YEAH! Youth Bands to perform at the Hispanic Cultural Celebration Day on September 7th
September 11-17: National Arts in Education Week
September 27: Kidsville Family Festival
Send us information about relevant events you’d like us to share next month at director@yeahrocks.org