May 23, 2013
#Throwback B-Rock kids from last year's concert!
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#Throwback B-Rock kids from last year's concert!
Where Are They Now Wednesdays: Kim Foxen
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I'm 20 years old and I'm a musician. I dabble in guitar, piano, and ukulele, but my favorite instrument is my voice :) I love singing and playing all types of music like Jazz, R&B/Soul, Opera, and Folk.
Who are your biggest musical influences?
Oh man, way too many! Lauryn Hill, Ella Fitzgerald, Donny Hathaway, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Jeff Buckley, Billie Holiday, Otis Redding, Claude Debussy, John Coltrane, Mavis Staples, Laura Marling, Lianne La Havas and Mirella Freni.
How many years did you attend Beyond Rock?
5 years...feels like forever.
What did you love most about camp?
Besides everything...the staff. Not only were they all incredible musicians, but beautiful human beings as well. I learned so much from them.
Share a favorite memory from your time at camp.
Performing "One" by U2 with my best friends, Melissa, Tara, and Alanna in 2008 would have to be my favorite memory. Doing what you love with the people you love is the best feeling in the world.
How has your time at Beyond Rock impacted you?
In so many ways! It's the reason why I chose to pursue music in college and beyond. Beyond Rock helped me find my voice both as a musician and performer.
What do you think makes Beyond Rock different from other programs?
Beyond Rock is such a unique program in that it allows you to grow both as a musician and performer. It really encourages you to let your individuality shine.
What reasons would you give a new person for coming to Beyond Rock?
At Beyond Rock, you will get the chance to step out of your comfort zone and try things you've never done before. It might be scary at first, but trust me when I say it will be one of the most rewarding experiences you will ever have.
What are you up to now?
For the past two years, I've been attending Manhattan School of Music as a classical voice major but am now looking to pursue Jazz and combine it with my classical studies.
Any upcoming performances?
Hopefully some open mics soon... I'll keep you posted!
Any YouTube videos?
The performance of "One" from the BR concert in 2008.
Staff Saturdays: Sean Dolan
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I'm a Julliard-trained percussionist that is sometimes mistaken for a Julliard-trained singer :-)
Who are your biggest musical influences?
So many to list. Hmm, Sting would be my top musical influence, but the full list would include my HS and college mentors, Mike Lipsey and Gordon Gottlieb. Also, John Bonham, Steve Gadd, Dave Weckl, Vinnie Colaiuta, Stewart Copeland, Gustav Mahler, and Igor Stravinsky, just to name a few.
How many years have you been involved with Beyond Rock?
Since 2007.
What do you love most about Beyond Rock?
Honestly, what excites me most is how much I learn from the kids at the camp. Music is such a shared experience. I try to share whatever I can with the campers so they will have a great time, but also have a great concert at the end of it all. I know the kids come to BR to have fun and learn how to rock out, but, through the process of rehearsing and just spending time with all these wonderful budding musicians, I end up learning so much about myself and my craft. I'm continually amazed at how rewarding an experience it is for me.
Share a story about your favorite moment(s) at Beyond Rock.
My favorite moments are always the epiphanies. When I show a student something that they've never attempted before (and they're sure they'll fail at) and they nail it and give me that look of, "That just came out of ME???" Absolutely no better feeling on the planet.
How has your time with Beyond Rock impacted you personally and/or professionally?
I think I've said it already, but I've become a better teacher, a better student, and a better overall musician through Beyond Rock. Personally and professionally, I have expanded my arsenal of great musicians/friends to work with throughout the years at the camp.
Where can we come see you play?
I play all over now with many different bands and ensembles, including Rockjunky, Jesus Christ Pose (A Soundgarden Tribute Band), The Kenny Ford Band, A Hank Lane Productions Band, among many others. I will also be playing some shows this summer with fellow Beyond Rock teacher, Steve Archdeacon! I'm also the drummer for Off-Broadway's Cougar: The Musical.
Any YouTube videos you'd like to share?
A cover of Rush's "Limelight" with fellow BR teacher, Steve Archdeacon.
A cover of Soundgarden's "Black Rain" with Jesus Christ Pose.
A cover of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" with Rockjunky.
A cover of Soundgarden's "The Day I Tried To Live" with Jesus Christ Pose.
#Throwback from the 2007 Beyond Rock concert
"Where Are They Now" Wednesday: Eric Leonardis
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was around since year 1 of Beyond Rock. I was a stubborn child who declared I would play only guitar. Through my years at Beyond Rock, I grew openminded and learned to play drums, bass, and keyboard. Although now I am more focused on other things, I am the type of person who likes to integrate all of the lessons I have learned from one thing to another. The lessons I have learned from Beyond Rock are priceless and can be applied in many places in my life.
Who are your biggest musical influences?
My biggest musical influences lie somewhere between Iron Maiden, J. S. Bach, and the Wu Tang Clan.
How many years did you attend Beyond Rock?
6 years.
What did you love most about camp?
The camp has a tight community of passionate individuals that are some of the best teachers around. Being able to spend time and learn from so many versatile musicians is a rewarding opportunity. Not only is the music education top notch, but all of the supplementary recreational activities and theater games are fantastic. The camp is an environment that inspires creativity, while also developing a child's social skills. This is a place where all types of expression are encouraged, and that is something that's hard to find.
Share a favorite memory from your time at camp.
It would be unfair to isolate one memory from 6 years of Beyond Rock. The memories that I look back on are the one-on-one conversations I shared with the staff members. At school, adults treat you like children. At Beyond Rock, adults treated me like an equal and cared about what I had to say. I would talk not only about music, but all sorts of topics. There was a feeling that the staff truly cared about you and what you had to say, and that is significant for a teenager. This supportive feeling is the common theme in all of my favorite BR memories.
How has your time at Beyond Rock impacted you?
I believe Beyond Rock has given me the capability to learn whatever I put my mind to. It not only has taught me to believe in myself, but it as given me countless evidence to suggest that I CAN and WILL learn whatever I put my mind to. This is not just an inflated sense of abilities; this is the result of working with people who believe in you and provide results to support it.
What do you think makes Beyond Rock different from other programs?
Beyond Rock integrates all different types of knowledge and understanding in a fun way. The passion is overflowing and the staff are experts in their field. This is not something that you find at any rock camp, as I had attended more than one originally. Beyond Rock was my camp of choice because of the individual nature of its focus, while emphasizing team work at the same time. BR accomplishes the type of education that is ideal for most scenarios.
What reasons would you give a new person for coming to Beyond Rock?
Someone who wants to play their instrument better, someone who wants to learn how to play in a band, or someone who wants to get over their social anxieties could come to Beyond Rock. The best reason to come is primarily to learn that you can overcome any challenge put in front of you by working hard, but also using the help and insights of others in order to better yourself. These are life lessons that one doesn't learn by watching, and Beyond Rock enables you to DO your best and improve on it.
What are you up to now?
Although I have not been focusing on my musical abilities as of late, I have been doing a whole lot of other things. I am a junior at Hofstra University and I am working towards a triple major in Psychology, History, and Chinese Studies (Language and Culture). In a few months, I will be applying for PhD programs in Cognitive Science and Neuroscience. I am currently in the process of conducting research in the History of Science, Philosophy of Cognitive Science, and Cognitive Psychology.
Staff Saturdays: Steve Archdeacon
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I'm a singer/songwriter, guitarist, independent recording artist and performing musician based in Commack, NY. I'm currently the Coordinator of the Long Island Chapter of Songsalive, which is a worldwide songwriting community that supports and promotes original music. My main passion in life is music, and I strongly believe that if we all help each other out in life, we will all benefit in the long run. I enjoy motivating others to do their very best in life, as you only get back what you put into it. I also raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project, which is an organization that helps soldiers who were wounded in battle.
Who are your biggest musical influences?
Dave Matthews, Pink Floyd, Clapton, Hendrix, and John Mayer
How many years have you been involved with Beyond Rock?
This will be my 4th year.
What do you love most about Beyond Rock?
Not only are there amazing teachers--who are all performing musicians like myself--but the main reason I love this camp is what it teaches beyond the music. We teach kids to have confidence in themselves, to keep an open mind, and to try new things that they would normally be scared of trying outside of camp. I've seen lives completely change for the better during my time with this camp, and it's truly amazing! I feel very honored to be a part of something bigger than myself, and to help the next generation grow as musicians and people. That is priceless to me.
Share a story about your favorite moment(s) at Beyond Rock.
One of my favorite moments at Beyond Rock was at the end of one of the sessions. The campers got the chance to speak on the mic, and one girl thanked me for helping her during a time when she was upset and almost crying. She said that I really helped her out and she didn't know what she would've done if I didn't take the time to help her through her problem. Experiences like that make my job worthwhile.
How has your time with Beyond Rock impacted you personally and/or professionally?
It has really taught me a lot, just teaching the kids what I have learned over the years of being a musician, and it's really inspired me to take my musical skills even further. My music is my therapy, especially after my father passed a little over 5 years ago. Whatever I can do to help someone out that also furthers my musical journey, I feel, is a win-win situation. I feel that it's just as important to teach kids life lessons that will help them outside of the music for years to come. I had a basketball coach, Stan Kellner (who coached Mitch Kupchak, General Manager for the LA Lakers, into the NBA). He taught me not only about the game of basketball, but about life. I use the lessons he taught me every day. I hope I can positively affect kids' lives through music, just like Mr. Kellner affected me.
Where can we come see you play?
We will be playing 6 shows down at Sunken Meadow Park (Sunken Meadow Parkway all the way south) on May 29, June 19, July 10, July 31, August 14, and August 28. I'm also currently booking shows for the upcoming season. Visit my website for show dates.
Any YouTube videos you'd like to share?
This is a picture montage of my song "Paid the Price", dedicated to our troops.
This is a cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Simple Man" that we did at Beyond Rock 2012.
For more on Steve, check out his website, Facebook, and Youtube.
Check out this #Throwback from the BR concert in 2009.
We've been getting a lot of requests for this song at our songwriting workshops and events. Now you can play "Thrift Shop" by Mackelmore & Ryan Lewis, too!!
**Note: When playing on the keyboard, make sure you have the sound effects set to Alto Sax! A helpful hint from Gina :)**