Shaela Miller is giving back to the community by hosting a two-day youth songwriting workshop at the Owl Acoustic Lounge, Jan. 22 and 23.
The workshop has a capacity of 20 and was half full as of Jan. 17.
The camp is for youth aged 12-18.
Numerous local business sponsored the event so admission is pay what you can.
Long and McQuade is providing complimentary instrument rentals for the camp's duration.
“Students need to have an interest in songwriting and music,” said Miller’s manager Jessica Marsh, noting ideally they should have familiarity with a musical instrument and or their voice.
Shaela Miller, Amelie Patterson, Biloxi Parish’s Zach Passey and Lethbridge Girls Rock Camp’s Silvana Campus will be mentoring the students.
Amelie Patterson has taught songwriting workshops at the Banff Centre.
The other mentors are familiar faces on the Lethbridge music scene including Starpainter’s Joel Stretch, Mercedes Fawns, Makiisma’s Megan Brown, Steven Foord, Taylor Ackerman and Bailey Kate.
The morning sessions feature the mentors playing their songs and explaining the stories behind them and the techniques they used to create the melodies and the moods of the songs.
“ In the afternoon, they will be divided into groups according to age and skill level and they will learn co-writing,” Marsh said, adding it will be the same schedule on Sunday.
“ If they feel comfortable, they will be able to perform what they wrote together,” Marsh continued.
Silvana Campus will be available to talk about Lethbridge Girls Rock Camp.
Marsh said because of the generosity of the sponsors and pay what you can, Miller will be able to make a big donation to Lethbridge Girls Rock Camp.
All Covid processes will be in place and the students will stay in the same groups throughout the weekend.
“ There are limited class sizes and all safety protocols are in place,” Marsh said.
— By Richard Amery, L.A Beat Editor
