Rock Camp SLC empowers marginalized youth to amplify their voices and showcase talents at a concert on Saturday.

NEWS

SLC, UT—Young musicians from all over Utah and out-of-state joined Rock Camp SLC (RCSLC) this week for a five-day summer camp that concludes with a big concert on Saturday, July 22 at the Commonwealth Room where they will perform original songs for family, friends, and the community.

The rock camp is for “all marginalized genders,” says Organizing Director Hillary McDaniel, a musician/drummer of the SLC-based queer band Somebody/Anybody.

McDaniel gathered a group of local musicians and organizers to start RCSLC in 2016 after volunteering at L.A. Rock Camp for Girls in 2015 as a band coach.

RCSLC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that empowers girls, transgender, non-binary, and gender-expansive youth, ages 8-17, from all backgrounds and skill levels to “Be Loud!” and showcase their unique voices and talents.

They believe all marginalized genders deserve positive mentorship from other women, transgender and gender-expansive adults where youth support and lift each other up.

To ensure accessibility, sliding-scale tuition and financial aid are offered with support from donations and grant funding, including Project Rainbow.

Around 60-70 kids attend each of the two summer sessions of the week-long day camp where they form a band, learn to play an instrument and write a song.

At 8 1/2 years old, Spencer Clark is traveling from Ogden for their first year at RCSLC. “I love music,” they say. “My mom told me about it and I liked it so she signed me up.”

Clark is playing keys with their band Spiral. So far, they’ve learned a few songs, the Rock Camp song, and the “Zombie song” [The Cranberries]. At the time of the interview on Tuesday, her band, Spiral, is about to start writing their original song.

They’re looking forward to the photo shoot on Wednesday, where the band has decided to come in with “crazy hair and tall knee socks and mismatched things.” Clark says they’re nervous and excited for the show on Saturday.

“I like it here. I think it’s a place where everyone can fit in, no matter transgender, they/them’s, gay people…anyone can fit in here,” says first-time camper Spencer Clark. “I’ve made a lot of friends. I think I’ll be doing it next year.”

Axel Bailey is another camper from Ogden, a teen intern this year after attending since 2021. “All the people here are just full of love,” says the 15-year-old guitarist, adding “Hate has no place here.”

Bailey wanted to be an intern to help the volunteers and teach instruments. Bass is their instrument this year, a first, which they admit has been a challenge, holding their hands in the air to display the bandaged “battle wounds” with a smile.

Bailey says, partly in jest, that their favorite thing about Rock Camp “was Talia but she’s not here anymore.” They also love making new friends every year.

SLC musician and activist Talia Keys stepped down this year after serving as music director from 2017-2022.

Lyndi Wadsworth, a camper in 2016 and volunteer since 2017, now holds the position.

Wadsworth is a guitarist in the SLC band Burning Avenues, with two upcoming shows at SLC’s Kilby Court and Funk n’ Dive bar in Ogden.

Zaza Historia VanDyke is Teen Intern Instructor, and Ogden-based musician/singer-songwriter of the bands Doom Cupcake, Zaza VanDyke & Something Special, and Backyard Revival. She’s returned now for three years because “it’s a safe place [for young rockers] to be themselves and make some noise—something I needed as a kid.”

Teen Intern Instructor Zaza Historia VanDyke takes a break outside the intern room during RCSLC inside East Hollywood High School on Tuesday.
Photos by Sydney Hecker

The space for RCSLC is generously donated every summer by East Hollywood High School, a film-focused liberal arts public charter school in West Valley that embraces diversity—including transgender youth and POC. The school is “one of the most inclusive” they’ve seen, says Director of Vibes Shell Danis.

Good vibes decor inside East Hollywood High School during RCLSC. Photos by Sydney Hecker

Danis transforms East Hollywood High School, a space already full of character and warmth, into the dream ‘school of rock’ and inclusion: rainbows, empowering messages, and band posters from the past eight years of RCSLC cover every hallway and classroom door.

Excitement is already stirring on Tuesday in anticipation of Saturday’s concert.

Rock Camp SLC presents Camper Showcase at The Commonwealth Room in Salt Lake City on Saturday, July 22. Doors open at 1 p.m., show begins at 2. All are welcome. Admission is free with a suggested $5 donation to support RCSLC.

You can help more youth realize their dreams of becoming a rockstar by donating to RCSLC. Learn about the other programs for youth and adults at rockcampslc.org. Follow Rock Camp SLC on Facebook and Instagram.

Disclosure: Deann Armes, author of the article, has a child who is a second-year camper at Rock Camp SLC.