Letter from our Executive Director
I am thrilled to present the 2022 Willie Mae Rock Camp Impact Report!
Willie Mae Rock Camp does way more than teach girls and gender-expansive youth to rock. We equip students with the tools and support to develop their creative voices, providing hands-on skill building with sound-based technologies to help them thrive as tomorrow’s creators and innovators!
2022 was a period of tremendous growth and development for our organization. We created more unique technology and STEM integrated programs, and delivered them at 14 schools and community sites, enabling us to meet students where they are. All of our programming was at no cost to families, thereby removing another significant barrier to participation. This allowed us to serve 42% more girls and gender-expansive youth in more neighborhoods across NYC than the previous year!
We also launched a new website and branding that reflects both our bold vision and the creativity of our young people. This design evolution allows us to platform student work and amplify it to the world.
At the end of the year we were humbled to receive national recognition from NPR when our org and incredible students were featured on ‘Weekend Edition’. The piece included luminaries like the artist Nona Hendryx and cultural anthropologist Maureen Mahon speaking on the vital importance of Willie Mae Rock Camp.
It was an awesome year and as we look ahead to 2023, our work will remain grounded in transformative music education that uplifts the voices of girls and gender-expansive youth. Because when we give them the tools and support to develop their unique voices, we inspire the next generation of creative leaders and innovators.
Many thanks to the entire Willie Mae Rock Camp community; teaching artists, mentors, champions and supporters, You Rock! We can’t do this work without your support and we look forward to continuing this meaningful journey with you.
LaFrae Sci, Executive Director
AboutWillie Mae Rock Camp
Willie Mae Rock Camp is a free music laboratory for girls and gender-expansive youth in NYC. We empower students to discover the full potential of their creative voices by integrating music with technology in an affirming and supportive learning environment.
We believe in building a creative culture where all voices are heard and represented. That's why our youth programs are tuition-free, require no prior experience for participation and are centered on BIPOC girls and gender-expansive youth.
Our Students
Girls and gender-expansive youth ages 10-17 served in 2022
Increase in students served since 2021
BIPOC
Low Income
Our Reach
School and community partner program sites throughout NYC
●In-school music education
●Community programming site
Willie Mae Music Lab
ExpandedPrograms
Community Workshops
We provided24workshops in partnership with youth-serving organizations and institutions throughout NYC, giving259students hands-on opportunities to explore and create collaboratively with creative tech.
In-School Music Education Programs
We served301girls and gender-expansive youth in middle and high school through our partnership with five Young Women’s Leadership Schools in the Bronx, Brooklyn, East Harlem, and Queens. Our programs provided students with expanded school-day opportunities for musical expression and skill-building with a range of instruments and creative technologies.
After-School Digital Mentorship
30students participated in our first full year of after-school digital mentorship programming, learning the fundamentals of creating electronic music and digital art using a range of instruments and creative digital technologies.
Summer Camp
After two years of remote camp, we welcomed18students to our studio for our first-ever in-person summer camp at our new Brooklyn home. Students formed bands and worked collaboratively to write, perform, record, and produce their own musical tracks and videos.
Impact of Expanded Programs
Of students reported increased ability to express themselves*
Of students reported better understanding of creative tech*
Of students reported increased knowledge of career paths using creative tech*
*results from 2022 student survey
Celebratory Happenings!
Willie Mae Rock Camp was profiled on NPR's Weekend Edition in December 2022 in a story on the occasion of Willie Mae Thornton's Birthday.
We partnered with Carnegie Hall's Afrofuturism Festival to host a listening event for 'Florence Mills Spatialized', a collaboration composition created by our Digital Mentorship students. The work is now archived in our new Mozilla Hub Space.
photo by Lawrence Sumulong for Carnegie Hall, Afrofuturism Festival
Student Work Spotlight
Suzi Analogue
Artist, Producer
Founder of Never Normal Records
Professor at UNC Music
Willie Mae Teaching Artist
Willie Mae provides a platform for girls and nonbinary youth to explore and excel in the realm of electronic music. The organization not only nurtures their creative potential but also empowers them to break boundaries and challenge societal norms. Students are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to shape the future of music and make their voices heard. This transformative program serves as a catalyst for inclusivity, innovation, and culturural diversity, paving the way for a brighter and more equitable future for all.
"3 Year Revenueand Expense Growth
2022 Revenue Sources
2022 Expense Allocation
Our Partners
New York Council on the Arts
Youth Inc.
Four Friends Foundation
New York City Department of Cultural Affairs
The Frank and Ruth E. Caruso Foundation
The Hyde and Watson Foundation
The New York Community Trust
Reverb
Warm Audio
The Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation
The Pinkerton Foundation
Tides Foundation
Valentine Perry Snyder Fund
Make Noise
F&G
Landscape FM
Whole Foods