Mission
Girls Rock! Rochester is dedicated to using music as a vehicle for personal growth and positive change for girls, women, and the LGBTQ+ community.
Driving Principles
- We believe that music is a powerful vehicle for personal growth and positive change
- We value constructive approaches to fighting sexism
- We promote collaboration and community above competition and isolation
- We recognize the importance of diversity in all forms
- We provide a safe and accessible environment for personal and creative exploration
- We encourage all voices and stories to be shared and heard
Non-Discrimination Policy
Girls Rock! Rochester does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, physical ability, developmental ability, size, age, economic status, gender expression, gender identity, religion, thought, politics, musical interests, learning styles, citizenship status and sexual orientation, in the administration of any of its educational programs, admissions policies, scholarships or other Camp-related policies and programs, as well as volunteer and employment-related policies and activities.
Volunteer Policies
Girls Rock! Rochester welcomes those who identify as female, trans and gender non-binary to apply for leadership positions at camp. Non-leadership roles are open to all genders and identities.
A special note to male-identified allies: Girls Rock! Rochester is primarily led by and for women and girls. We also value diversity, inclusion, and sensitivity toward all individuals, regardless of gender identity or expression. The organization welcomes the support of male-identified allies and expects male-identified allies who would like to volunteer to respect the importance of leadership by women.
History
Kaci Smith, (a local drummer, and educator) fell in love with the rock camp movement after being part of the street team for the Girls Rock documentary back in 2004. After several years of volunteering at Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls in Brooklyn, Kaci felt inspired to bring the magic of rock camp to Rochester, NY. She put up flyers around town and filed the DBA at City Hall. The first informational meeting was held in November of 2011 and was attended by a small group of musicians, educators, and activists. We held our first fundraiser in January 2012 in conjunction with Rochester B.R.A.W.L and attended our first GRCA conference in March 2012. Our first camp was held with 18 campers in July 2012.
Sarah Murphy (she, her, hers)
Executive Director
Sarah has had a passion for music since childhood. Rock has always been a Family experience for her. She brings that love and passion she experienced as a child to all aspects of her life.
Sarah loves the outdoors and traveling with her partner. She has been an active member of PFLAG Rochester since 2019, and the Women’s league of voters since 2007. Sarah has sat on the board of the Flower City Arts Center and The Challenger Learning Center of Niagara county.
Sarah has an extensive list of experience working with nonprofit organizations including the Leonardo Museum of Arts, Science and Technology, The Buffalo Museum of Science, and The Harley School.
Amanda Ashley Rodriguez (she, her, hers)
Program Director
Writer, Singer-songwriter, National touring/recording artist from Long Island, NY.
Amanda Ashley, raised in Holtsville, Long Island, began writing and composing at the early age of fourteen, and was performing solo by the age of sixteen in local coffee houses. After graduating from Fredonia State University of New York, Amanda found her way into the Rochester, NY community as a local performer, and musician’s event coordinator. Amanda’s footprint on the Rochester music community stems from years of Teaching privately, performing, hosting, and organizing a plethora of social opportunities which encourage growth, community, and education; all while providing a platform for artists to be showcased.
