PJ Olsson and Todd Brassard ready to host Rock Camp for kids in Houghton

Musically inclined kids in the U.P. have the chance to try out for an unusual summer camp in the Keweenaw in July. PJ Olsson’s Rock Camp will start out with auditions July 7 and 8 at the Rozsa Center in Houghton, and 40 kids will go on to participate in an intense two-week program from August 6 to 17.

“Auditions are a must and a great way for PJ and the other instructors to get to know each prospective camper, and even better, it gives the kids a chance to really show off their musical mojo with PJ,” says Todd Brassard, the camp’s program director.

Olsson, a Houghton native, and Brassard founded the camp in 2010, after a 2009 collaboration with young local musicians at the Houghton Spring Art and Music Festival inspired Olsson to do something to better feature talented kids in the area.

“We had this crazy and wonderful imagining of an epic rock concert starring kids from around the Keweenaw. We just wanted to see if it could be done,” says Brassard. “We never expected the campers to completely floor us with their talent and drive. The final rock concert was out of this world.”

The camp is open to youth ages 11 to 19, and will help develop individual musicians into several bands, while the camp programs focus on self-exploration, rehearsal, collaboration, talent development and live performance. Applications are available online. Volunteers and sponsors are welcome to contact Brassard by email.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Todd Brassard, PJ Olsson’s Rock Camp