By Lisa Morgan
“Four weeks ago, these kids were pretty reserved on stage,” shared Greg Vincent, one of the panel members that weighed in on auditions for these perspective applicants. “The transformation has been absolutely amazing! Some of these kids will blow your mind.” He was right. My mind was sufficiently blown as I saw kids giving all they had, without reservation, as they did something that had only been a dream a month prior. The community turned out in droves to witness it as well. “I would estimate we had about 350-400 people at the show,” shared Kate Spates, Academy of Music Performance (AMP) Promotions Director and Coachella Valley Community Trust (CVCT) member.
The Academy of Musical Performance (AMP), a program created by the Coachella Valley Community Trust (CVCT) and funded by Goldenvoice, celebrated the end of their four week training session with a final performance by all 36 students who auditioned and were accepted into their program. Having practiced 5 days a week, all day, the students performed a concert of songs in the bands they were placed into at the beginning of the camp.
This program that introduced these kids to all aspects of the music business was originally created with a $1,500 tuition. But Goldenvoice stepped in, and these kids were able to have the learning experience of a lifetime at no extra cost to their families. Schools throughout the valley were represented, even as far as North Shore. Brother and sister, Josmar and Yevalea Zepeda took the bus from the Salton Sea area every day, to and from Indio, in order to participate in the program.
Many kids played several different roles on stage, going from piano, to guitar and then to percussion at times. Exceptionally strong, original songs were performed as well as solid tributes to rock classics. Every part of this show was produced by the kids of AMP, from the background music being played, to the documentary video that was shown and continued to be filmed. Sound, lights… you name it, these kids rocked it.
I stood back and watched Alfredo Hernandez (drummer for desert rock bands Whiskey & Knives, Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age, Mondo Generator, Brant Bjork & The Bros) watch his son, Ivan, demonstrate his own mind blowing potential. Micah Hughes, son of desert musician Jesse Hughes (Eagles of Death Metal, Boots Electric), also was involved by running the sound board. It’s interesting to watch some of our own desert music legends passing the torch to their children.
Many families were there cheering loudly for the ones they love, but so were members of the media. I ran into many people in the local music scene who were just as inspired as I was. “I was totally amazed and pleasantly entertained by these fantastic kids,” shared Andy Cahan, who has played with the likes of The Turtles, Jimi Hendrix, Little Richard, Chuck Berry and Harry Nilsson. “They were so professional and so good, my jaw dropped to the ground. They are all going to be very happy musicians when they grow up.”
So what is next for these kids and AMP? “Plans are underway for another camp next year,” says Spates happily. “Our wrap-up meeting is late in August and we’ll start the planning. Goldenvoice has pledged to do another camp next summer, and we are working out the details. Many of the bands are staying together, and I heard that one band, “The Originals”, are actually scheduled to play at the Date Festival! By all accounts, their lives were changed for the better with this 4 week investment. It was truly amazing.”
For more information about CVCT or AMP, please visit www.cvcommunitytrust.org/AMP or call (760) 863-2333.
