I have been a part of GRR!'s Ladies Rock Camp three times and performed in a number of the showcases. While I am a life-long musician, it was not until my first Ladies Rock Camp that I feel I truly found courage. This is a lesson that I keep with me each day, whether playing music, public speaking, serving as an arts administrator, or just navigating the challenges of life. GRR! offers so much more than just musical instruction.

The programming GRR! offers girls -- from Girls Rock Camp to after-school programs to collaborations with youth theater and social service agencies -- addresses a critical need in our society for positive programs that empower girls, provide role models and offer creative outlets. All these programs are done in a spirit of openness and welcoming -- including free programming and many scholarships -- to girls that are particularly vulnerable. We should all have been so lucky!

Girls Rock! Rhode Island is life-changing, and the world is an infinitely better place for it!