Your music industry break starts here: why you should become a Rock Camp 2025 mentor
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Fantasise about managing bands, working with musicians or making a name for yourself in the music industry? Girls Rock! Canberra is looking for 2025 Rock Camp mentors – but applications close soon.
Supporting young people of marginalised identities (including trans and cis girls, gender-diverse people and trans-boys) Girls Rock! Canberra (GR!C) has long been a safe space for young people to discover this voice and learn to unapologetically make some noise.
Hosting Rock Camps since 2016 – an action-packed week of instrument tutorials, band practice sessions, lunch time performances and creative workshops – the program has become a stepping stone in the local music industry for young people aged between 10 to 17.
But for those who have aged out of the camp, a unique opportunity is being offered: the chance to become Rock Camp mentors and get hands-on experience working as instrument instructors, ‘band managers’ and band coaches.
“Applications are open to anyone,” says GR!C spokesperson Jaida Stephenson.
“A lot of people are scared of applying because they don’t have previous music teaching experience or haven’t done something similar before, but honestly, anyone can do it as long as you’re passionate about music or playing a musical instrument.”
Open to applicants18 years or older, Jaida says that there are approximately 20 spots available, with positions ranging from instrument mentors, gear coordinators, kitchen coordinators, band managers, band coachers and even potentially a DJ mentor.
And not only will you connect with some amazing like-minded young people who love music, but it’s also a unique way to gain some insight into the industry itself.
“It gives you a lot of skills and a lot of great contacts in the music industry because a lot of people you are mentoring with are people who already work in the music industry. It gives you a little bit of background on how everything is done,”
“It’s incredibly rewarding. You’ve got these kids who have never picked up a guitar on a Monday who are playing a show on a Friday. It’s a great way to meet lots of people and have a really fun time.”
Running from Monday 29 September until Friday 3 October from 9 am until 4 pm at the Ainslie Arts Centre in Braddon, being a Rock Camp mentor is a volunteer role (however, all mentors will be paid a stipend of $500 per position). Those interested in applying also must hold a current Working with Vulnerable Peoples Card (or your state’s equivalent) or be willing to acquire one before camp, be interviewed by GR!C staff and attend a mandatory orientation day on Saturday 15 September.
And while mentor places are limited and highly sought after, the 2025 camp will also mark a significant milestone for the non-for-profit organisation as it evolves to better reflect its expanding mission.
“This year’s Rock Camp is especially special because we’re about to go through a name change…we’re going to officially change our name to Noisy Futures,” says Jaida.
“It’s been nearly a decade of Girls Rock! Canberra; while it’s got a special place in our hearts, it doesn’t really reflect who we are anymore in the community.”
Rock Camp is accepting mentor applications until Saturday 19 July, and gender diverse applicants and applicants from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply.
Are you ready to rock? For more information, visit girlsrockcanberra.com.au
