The band "Stacey" from Willie Mae Rock Camp with my longtime drum student!

Whoa do they sound great! The drummer, Eva, has been taking drum lessons with me since she was in 5th grade. She is now in 8th grade. Natural loose sticking looks effortless here.

These girls met this week, wrote a song, and performed it yesterday. Bravo!!

Priests

On tour now, check them out: priests.bandcamp.com

New Studio

August project - get all the music teaching materials, the Julie Ruin gear, and a baby grand in this space. Only have a few weeks to make this new large music studio look and sound good. And convince the other bands to keep their areas organized. Dress form for draping, if I attempt to make more clothes for our September tour. All psyched about using black chalkboard paint for the wall area behind it. Who knew chalk was so fun? In the works...

Important Quote from Janelle Monae. Telling all girls...

"When I started my music career, I was a maid. I used to clean houses. My mother was a proud janitor. My stepfather, who raised me like his very own, worked at the post office and my father was a trashman. They all wore uniforms and that’s why I stand here today, in my black and white, and I wear my uniform to honor them.

This is a reminder that I have work to do. I have people to uplift. I have people to inspire. And today, I wear my uniform proudly as a Cover Girl. I want to be clear, young girls, I didn’t have to change who I was to become a Cover Girl. I didn’t have to become perfect because I’ve learned throughout my journey that perfection is the enemy of greatness.

Embrace what makes you unique, even if it makes others uncomfortable." - Janelle Monáe

Our new song with a lyric video by Brendan Kennedy!

Okay, so I love playing this song. I could mess with guitar feedback for hours. And here it created a monster...