Advanced Music Program (AMP) | Rain City Rock Camp

Program Overview

Rain City Rock Camp’s Advanced Music Program (AMP) is a week-long intensive workshop produced in collaboration with the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) for youth of marginalized genders ages 14-19 with prior music experience. AMP’s youth-centered, empowerment-oriented approach to musical development incorporates mentor-guided song writing, band participation and experiential learning.

Campers participate in empowering workshops, explore MoPOP and the Seattle Center, and more! At the end of the week, participants get to record their original song with their band with a professional engineer and perform for a crowd of adoring fans.

2026 Details

Dates:

Session 1
August 17-21
9AM-4PM
Showcase:
Friday, August 21, 3PM

Session 2
August 24-28
9AM-4PM
Showcase:
Friday, August 28, 3PM

Locations:

Camp:
Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)
325 5th Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

Showcases:
Sound & Vision Theater inside MoPOP

Enrollment Details

Camper Application:

Apply for AMP @ MoPOP session 1 Apply for AMP @ MoPOP Session 2

Application Period:

Applications for 2026 AMP will be open from May 1st – July 27th 2026.

Costs and Payment Information:

We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to have their voice heard. That’s why our tuition is on a sliding scale from $650 to $0 and is, as always, pay-what-you-can. We appreciate your support in paying what you are able, and any amount over $650 is a tax-deductible donation that will continue to help us rock the world! Your contributions ensure access to this experience for all.

When you apply, you’ll be asked to pledge what you can pay on your application. If you’re accepted, we’ll contact you to confirm your pledge and will send a payment link at that time. Please contact programsupport@raincityrockcamp.org with questions regarding tuition.

What Happens After I Apply For AMP?

You’ll hear back from us within 2 weeks of submitting your application. If you don’t initially get a spot in Summer Camp, don’t worry. You’ll be immediately put on the waiting list and will hear from us if any spots become available. We’ll do our best to get you in!

What Is This Year’s Express Yourself Piece?

The Express Yourself Piece component of the youth camp application is a way for us to get to know the campers better! We want each camper to express who they are and what the theme of the year means to them. Rain City Rock Camp’s theme for 2026 is Sounds of Solidarity.

Read more about the theme and how to submit your express yourself piece.

New year, new theme! In this year 2026, we are eager to live into the theme of SOUNDS OF SOLIDARITY.

Exploring this theme will give us each the opportunity to identify what community is and what unites people around common goals.

When asked about the theme, members of Amplified Teen Voices and Amplified Youth Voices thought of working together for our collective freedom, and the many different ways we show up for each other. Solidarity could sound like a protest chant, or a quiet check in with someone.

Here are some more ways to think about how you might answer the question of what the theme means to you:

Express a time when you felt united with a group of people. How did you work together to achieve your shared goals?
What does solidarity sound like to you?

In the Express Yourself Piece section of the application, campers will have the opportunity to submit a written response as their piece.

Campers may also choose to use a different creative method to express themselves and what the theme means to them. The express yourself can be in any format the camper chooses—video, song, drawing, digital art, poem, dance, collage, comic, skit, etc. We do ask that you submit your piece in either PDF, MP4, MP3 or WAV format. If your camper opts to forgo the written response in the application to create a different type, please mail the piece to 117 E Louisa St #445, Seattle, WA 98102 or email it to programsupport@raincityrockcamp.org within two weeks of submitting your application. We are so excited to see what you come up with and may even feature your express yourself piece on the RCRC Instagram page!ampers may also choose to use a different creative method to express themselves and what the theme means to them. The express yourself can be in any format the camper chooses—video, song, drawing, digital art, poem, dance, collage, comic, skit, etc. We do ask that you submit your piece in either PDF, MP4, MP3 or WAV format. If your camper opts to forgo the written response in the application to create a different type, please mail the piece to 117 E Louisa St #445, Seattle, WA 98102 or email it to programsupport@raincityrockcamp.org within two weeks of submitting your application. We are so excited to see what you come up with and may even feature your express yourself piece on the RCRC Instagram page!

If you submitted an EYP this year as part of a Summer Camp application, that is sufficient for AMP as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Youth of marginalized genders ages 14 to 19 with prior music experience in guitar, bass, drums, vocals and/or keyboard/piano are welcome to apply to AMP. This includes all those whose gender identities fall within the trans umbrella, including non-binary youth, anyone who is questioning their gender, and cis girls. You don’t have to live in Seattle or Washington State to be eligible.
Youth of color and gender expansive youth are strongly encouraged to sign up!

Some music experience is necessary, but just enough that you feel confident contributing to a band. No instrument instruction is provided as part of AMP.

Yes! We often have a couple AMPers who aren’t from Washington. We don’t provide lodging or accommodations, and we are unable to give AMPers other participants’ personal information. If you’re coming from out of town and would like more information about the Seattle area, please contact us at programsupport@raincityrockcamp.org.

All instruments and equipment necessary for practice and performance at AMP and the Showcase are provided. AMPers are welcome to bring personal instruments to use if desired, and will be responsible for keeping them safe. Please note that Rain City Rock Camp does not accept liability for personal instruments.

Rain City Rock Camp provides light snacks to all AMPers throughout the day, but AMPers are expected to eat breakfast before arriving in the morning and bring or buy lunch from the Seattle Center campus. If your AMPer needs lunch provided in order to participate, please reach out to programsupport@raincityrockcamp.org. Additionally, please make us aware of any food allergies or intolerances in your application.

Wearing a well-fitting mask is required at all times indoors at our programs and showcases, except when eating/drinking or performing on stage. We provide high-quality masks to those who cannot access them. Exceptions to our masking policy due to medical or sensory reasons can be made on a case-by-case basis. Please communicate with staff about exceptions before the start of camp.

We take COVID safety seriously because we believe we keep each other safe, and this is an easy way to make our programs more accessible to more people, especially immunocompromised folks. Our policy also decreases the likelihood of campers having to drop out of camp mid-session due to the spread of illnesses, so bands can stay as complete as possible! We don’t want any bands missing members on stage.

AMP takes place from 9AM to 4PM, Monday through Friday, including the Showcase at 3PM on Friday. All AMPers must be present during all hours of AMP and the Showcase; please avoid scheduling appointments or other commitments during these times.

AMP will have up to 15 AMPers, or 3 bands.

AMPers can choose to play electric guitar, bass, drums, keyboard or vocals in their band. Please indicate your instrument preferences in your application. AMPers should be proficient on their chosen instrument.

Typically, yes. AMPers are not assigned an instrument, but will be placed in bands based on the instrument(s) they are proficient in according to their application. With their bandmates, AMPers will work out who will play which instrument.

Music is the vehicle, but our goal is to empower our participants to engage their creative potential, champion equity, develop confidence and self-esteem, and thrive in our community of allies, activists, peers and mentors. We consider our programs equally successful if our participants speak up for the things they believe in as if they go on to release albums.

Cancellations will be honored fully for any reason. We ask that you deeply consider your availability and capacity when applying to AMP and accepting your spot. For planning purposes, cancellations made within two weeks of the first day of AMP will have a $50 fee deducted from their refund.