Toronto Rock Camp Website Relaunch!
CityArts: information on all CityArts programs (Art, Music, Media and Technology)
http://www.cityarts.ca
CityArts Rock Camps: Information of the CityArts Rock Camps in Canada including the Toronto Rock Camp
http://www.rockcamps.ca
CityArts Toronto Rock Camp: Information and Media (Audio/Video) specificatlly on the CityArts Toronto Rock Camp
http://www.torontorockcamp.com
Scholarship Donation Received from Ottawa, Canada
This scholarship will be in addition to the CityArts scholarships that are given out to children, on a social needs basis, every summer for all CityArts programs (Art, Music, Media and Technology).
Registration Open for Summer 2010 Sessions
Gibson Artist Lounge Photographs
A big thank you to Gibson Guitars, Epiphone Guitars and Amplifiers, Tina, Brad, Leo, Adam (for the super sound), Jeff Long, and Long and McQuade. Thank you as well as our four bands including TRC alumni Gentlemen & The Jury, The King's Cards, as well as Broken Bricks and the incomparable Frankie Whyte and the Dead Idols!
We've got big plans in store for 2010. Thank you all for your continued support and best wishes for a Happy and Healthy 2010!
Seraphim Marcopoulos
Executive Director and Founder,
CityArts / Toronto Rock Camp
CityArts Rock Camp Holiday Party at The Gibson Artist Showroom!
Date: December 17, 2009
Time: 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM
Price: $20.00 Proceeds to benefit the CityArts
Scholarship Program
Location: The Gibson Artist Showroom
Address: 1205 King St West, Toronto, ON, Canada
Map to the Event:
View Larger Map
Ready to Rock? TRC Goes Year Round! Winter Programs launching!
Week Six Concert Audio Live!
CityArts Eco Art Camp from Summer 2009
CityArts also runs creative learning educational programs in Art, Music, Media and Technology. Photographs of the CityArts Eco Art Camp from July 20 to July 24, 2009, taken by Geo Perdis.
Week Three Recap of the CityArts Toronto Rock Camp
Week Two Recap of the CityArts Toronto Rock Camp
Week One Recap: Read the Article on CityArts.ca
CityArts Toronto Rock Camp in Brasil News!

CityArts Toronto Rock Camp Week 2 Photographs by Devin Dubeau
Photographs by Devin Dubeau taken during Week Two of the CityArts Toronto Work Camp. Concert photographs from the Friday, July 10th, Concert. All Rights Reserved.
CityArts Toronto Rock Camp T-Shirts Available Now!
Three Designs: Flying “V” (Miles), CityArts Classic Girl
(Lucy), CityArts Corporate (Nick)
All profits from T-Shirt sales go towards subsidizing the
Fall/Winter 2009 CityArts free after school and in-school
programs. By a stylish T-Shirt and support free Music and
Arts education in at risk communities in Toronto!
Regular Price: $25.00 CDN Camper Price: $20.00 CDN (If
Attending a CityArts Camp)
T-Shirt Sizes: Mens: (Small, Medium, Large, XL) Womens:
Classic Girl Style (S, M, L) Kids: (Sizes Coming)
CityArts Toronto Rock Camp Week One Pictures: July 6-10/09
Photographs taken by Geo Perdis during Week One of the CityArts Toronto Rock Camp. All Rights Reserved.
Registration Update: Space Availability for Summer 2009
Even though we’ve doubled our capacity while retaining our class leading staff to student ratios, we’ve already far surpassed past registrations. Many weeks feature sold out spots for certain instruments, so please consult our Registration Page, Dates and Fees and Registration Form for updates on spaces available.
A great way to get news from the Toronto Rock Camp is through our Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/torontorockcamp where we publish a daily status update.
For current registration status, please contact us via email or call me directly at 416-880-9370.
We’re set to have a fantastic summer and thank our staff, sponsors, parents and campers for their continued support.
Seraphim Marcopoulos,
Executive Director
CityArts Creative Learning Inc.
Center for Social Innovation
215 Spadina Ave., Suite 400,
M5T 2C7, Canada
tel. 416-880-9370
http://www.cityarts.ca
The Toronto Rock Camp:
Website: http://www.torontorockcamp.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=30643305813
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/torontorockcamp
T3 Triple Threat Workshop Registration Opens!
The T3 Triple Threat Workshop with Valerie Stanois is open for registration. Visit the T3 Program Page and the T3 Registration Form for more information. The program is set to run for a initial the one week sessions (starting on July 13th, July 20th, and July 27th) and is limited to only 12 participants per week. Register early to avoid disappointment!
CityArts News Release: Scholarships and T3 Triple Threat Workshop
Valerie Stanois, star of the hit musical “We Will Rock
You” to offer a CityArts workshop for young performers
Valerie Stanois
For immediate
release
15
June
2009
TORONTO – CityArts
Creative Learning is pleased to announce that the star of
the hit Toronto musical “We Will Rock You,”
Valerie Stanois, will be
teaching at our Triple Threat (T3) Workshop for young
performers this summer.
Ms.
Stanois’s innovative “T3” workshop provides hands-on
training in acting, singing, and dancing skills for young
performers aged 11 to 17. Each week-long workshop will be
headed by Ms. Stanois and feature some of Toronto’s most
talented performers as guest instructors.
“I’m
so excited to be able to give back to the community by
leading this workshop for young performers! So many
performers inspired me growing up and I want to do the
same", says Ms. Stanois.
“We’re
honored that a performer of Valerie’s caliber has joined
us this year. We’ve also got an amazing line-up of
musicians to teach at this year’s Toronto Rock Camp,”
said Seraphim Marcopoulos, Managing Director of CityArts
Creative Learning.
Now in
its second year, the week-long Toronto Rock Camp gives
musicians aged 11 to 17 the opportunity to play together
in their very own band. Students are taught how to write
songs, given instruction on their instruments, and
coached on performance techniques from the camp’s staff
of professional music teachers and industry
professionals. Each week-long rock camp culminates in a
live concert performance that’s open to friends and
family.
The
Ontario Ministry of Education’s Focus on Youth program
has sponsored the Toronto Rock Camp, and CityArts is
making 24 full scholarships available for potential
students. Students can apply for a scholarship:
http://www.torontorockcamp.com/register/scholarships.php
++++
About
City Arts Creative Learning:
CityArts Creative
Learning Inc. is a registered non-profit that develops
and delivers arts, music, media and tech learning
programs for kids and grownups.
-END-
Media contact: Seraphim Marcopoulos
Managing Director,
CityArts Creative Learning Inc.
Tel:
(416) 880-9370, seraphim@cityarts.ca
For
more info and to register:
http://cityarts.ca
Rock and Roll Heaven Concert Photostream
Photographs taken by Dominic Ali at Rock and Roll Heaven, Toronto, May 31, 2009
Photos from Rock and Roll Heaven Concert in Gallery
The first in a series of
CityArts / Toronto Rock Camp concerts hit Rock and Roll
Heaven on May 31, 2009. Playing before a capacity crowd,
TRC alumni bands, Carmen and Jack October, The King’s
Cards, and Gentlemen and the Jury put on a fantastic
performance.
They were followed by The WitHouts, Left of Eden
(featuring CityArts / TRC instructors Mike McAvan, Chris
Lesso, Valerie Stanois, along with Jeff Eager). Left of
Eden was joined on stage for CityArts Music Director Leo
Georgoulis and Tristan Avakian (Lead Guitarist for the
hit Queen Musical “We Will Rock You”) for a three song
set of Queen Hits!
Check out the Rock and Roll
Heaven Concert gallery here.
We Will Rock You's Lead Guitarist Tristan Avakian Joins CityArts
“TRISTAN IS AN AMAZING GUITARIST” – BRIAN MAY
(QUEEN)
Tristan Avakian
CityArts and the Toronto Rock
Camp welcome guitarist Tristan Avakian in 2009. Tristan
will be leading the Guitar Workshops and lending his
expertise to the Toronto Rock Camp program. Personally
selected by the legendary Brian May of Queen, Tristan is
the lead guitarist for the hit Queen Musical “We Will
Rock You”.
“There’s an aura of being around a working professional
that you can’t communicate through a DVD or clips on
YouTube,” he says. “From my own experience growing up, I
know there’s no substitute, so that’s a role I hope I can
also play for some kids.”
To learn more about Tristan visit the following websites:
CityArts Profile: Tristan Avakian
Website: www.tristanavakian.com
CityArts / TRC Concert at Rock and Roll Heaven May 31st!
Come join us on May 31st, 2009, from 5 PM to 9 PM as
CityArts launches its summer 2009 programs, in Art,
Music, and Media with a free concert at Rock and Roll
Heaven. Toronto Rock Camp instructors will be rocking the
stage!
Date: Sunday, May 31, 2009
Time: 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Cost: Free (all ages show)
Rock & Roll Heaven
1660 O’Connor Drive,
Toronto, ON, Canada
(416) 750-7335
Google Map: http://tinyurl.com/palh47
The Toronto Rock Camp is the real “school of rock” for
young Torontonians aged 11 to 17. Each week-long-long
camp teaches aspiring rock stars how to write, perform,
and promote their music. CityArts Creative Learning Inc.,
which runs the Toronto Rock Camp, is a registered
non-profit. (http://cityarts.ca)
Come out and enjoy performances by:
-Cast members and CityArts / Toronto Rock Camp
instructors Valerie Stanois "Oz" and Tristan Avakian (WWRY Lead
Guitarist) from the hit musical "We Will Rock You"
-The WitHouts
-Left of Eden
-Sixes and Sevens
-Three rock camp student alumni bands — whose members
range in age from 11 to 17
To learn more visit http://torontorockcamp.com or http://www.cityarts.ca or
contact Seraphim Marcopoulos Tel: (416) 880-9370
Composer, Musician, Teacher, Colin Knowles launches Website
Chris Lesso featured in Sonor Drum Clinic Tour
The Toronto Rock Camp’s own Chris
Lesso, Director of Drums and Percussion, is featured in a
series of Sonor Clinics
during May in Ontario.
Chris will be leading Drums Workshops and Master
Classes at
the Toronto Rock Camp.
Canadian Sonor
Artist: Chris Lesso will join John Favicchia for a series
of Drum Clinics and Master Classes in Ontario. Chris is a
freelance drummer and educator based out of Toronto,
Ontario. He began studying music on the piano at the age
of 7, and received his grade 8 in classical piano through
the Royal Conservatory at age 12. He began drumming when
he was 9, and has never looked back. After gaining much
experience performing and writing music in various bands,
he sought out and took lessons from many world-renowned
artists such as Dom Famularo (World Clinician), Ed
Shaughnessy (Johnny Carson Show), and Jim Chapin (Famous
Educator), then going on to study with highly respected
teacher and drummer Jim Blackley. Chris is currently
studying jazz harmony on the piano.
Chris' unique blend of hard rock, jazz, improvisational,
and world flavored rhythms can be heard with guitarist
Tony Springer, (www.wildt.ca),
trumpeter Nick 'Brownman' Ali, pianist Steve Kovan, and
Chris' own original instrumental band 'The Factor',
(wwww.myspace.com/thefactortoronto),
as well as various Top 40 bands, all playing around the
Toronto area and internationally.
The future holds an ever improving output of energetic
live shows and rhythmically intense recorded work, always
drawing from a wide range of influences and styles.
Chris is endorsed by Sonor Drums, and a member of the
Professional Drum Teachers Guild.
05/05/09 7:00PM DRUM CLINIC @ COSMO MUSIC Richmond Hill,
Ontario 05/06/09 7:00PM DRUM CLINIC @ MUSIC PRO Barrie,
Ontario 05/07/09 7:00PM DRUM CLINIC @ WIZDOM MUSIC
ACADEMY Hamilton, Ontario
More dates are scheduled. Full details can be found on
Chris Lesso’s MySpace Page: http://www.myspace.com/chrislessomusic
Bassist Rob Brown joins the Toronto Rock Camp!
Rob Brown is a musician who has studied music with some of the best musicians in the industry, such as Pat Labarbera, Alex Dean, Will Jarvis and Rick Lazar. He has performed extensively with many professional recording artists including motown's The Temptations and Sam Moore (of Sam & Dave), Dan Ackroyd (Blues Brothers) and currently leads his own bands, The Agents of Groove and Warriors For Peace.
Rob is a graduate of the Jazz Performance course at Humber College and received his Bachelor of Music Arts degree at the University of Windsor. Since that time he has taught extensively, specializing in improving bass skills in groove, improvisation and general theory knowledge. Rob has had the honour of teaching music to many people over the years, some of whom have gone on to professional music careers of their own. He brings with him a lot of experience in many realms of music and has a good knowledge of many genres!
Engineer/Producer Dino Cuzzolino joins TRC Teaching Staff
Engineer/Composer/Producer/Sound Designer Dino Cuzzolino is a graduate of Ryerson's Radio and Television program and has worked in the industry nearly 15 years recording and mixing audio for commercials, television series, films, videos and animation.
His passion has always been recording and producing music. Whether it’s advertising jingles, film scores, bands or songwriting demos. He spends most of his days (and some nights) doing just that at Toronto based Krystal Music & Sound Design and at his own production company Balance Music.
Dino is designing the Sound Recording programs (Workshops and Clinics) that will premiere at this Summers Toronto Rock Camp. We are pleased to welcome Dino to the Toronto Rock Camp and CityArts team!
Online Registration Open for the Toronto Rock Camp
You can register for the Toronto Rock Camp only through this website (http://www.torontorockcamp.com). If you have any questions about registration, availability, and this year's program, please feel free to contact us by email or phone.
Online Registration: Opens March 30th, 2009
1. Fill out the Online Registration Form in order to book your week(s)
2. You will receive a confirmation of your registration information.
3. You will receive an electronic invoice with instructions for payment (online via credit card or by mail via cheque, etc.).
Click to Register Online Now!
Summer 2009 Drum and Guitar Workshops at the Toronto Rock Camp!
The Toronto Rock Camp's Workshops and Master Classes are intensive one week sessions. Featuring a staff to student ratio of 4:1, Workshops and Master Classes will help young musicians accelerate their ability with instruction and guest clinics from some of the music industry's leading musicians and teachers. Small class sizes limited to eight students or less result in exceptional one on one instruction.
For more details, please visit our Drum Workshops and Guitar Workshops pages.
We are also planning Bass, Vocals and Keyboard Workshops for this Summer’s edition of the Toronto Rock Camp. Details to be posted soon.
Summer 2009 Online Registration opens March 30th!
Summer 2009 Location Photos
Our 2009 Edition will be located at:
Toronto Rock Camp
Our Lady of Lourdes School
444 Sherbourne Street,
Toronto, ON, M4X 1K2

Chris Lesso joins the Toronto Rock Camp to lead Drum Instruction!
We are pleased to welcome Chris Lesso to the Toronto Rock
Camp team! Chris ran a successful and well received
clinic last year, and joins the Toronto Rock Camp as the
head of Drums and Percussion instruction.
Chris began studying music on the piano at the age of 7,
and received his grade 8 in classical piano through the
Royal Conservatory at age 12. He began drumming when he
was 9, and has never looked back. After gaining much
experience performing and writing music in various bands,
he sought out and took lessons from many world-renowned
artists such as Dom Famularo (World Clinician), Ed
Shaughnessy (Johnny Carson Show), and Jim Chapin (Famous
Educator), then going on to study with highly respected
teacher and drummer Jim Blackley. Chris is currently
studying jazz harmony on the piano.
Chris' unique blend of hard rock, jazz, improvisational,
and world flavored rhythms can be heard with guitarist
Tony Springer, (www.wildt.ca), trumpeter Nick
'Brownman' Ali, pianist Steve Kovan, and Chris' own
original instrumental band 'The Factor', (www.myspace.com/thefactortoronto), as
well as various Top 40 bands, all playing around the
Toronto area and internationally. The future holds an
ever improving output of energetic live shows and
rhythmically intense recorded work, always drawing
from a wide range of influences and styles. Chris is a
member of the Professional Drum Teachers Guild, the
Percussive Arts Society, and is endorsed by Sonor
Drums.
Chris conducted a successful and well received clinic at
the Toronto Rock Camp in 2008, and returns in 2009 as the
head of Drums and Percsussion instruction.
More about Chris:
Mike McAvan returns to the Toronto Rock Camp to lead clinics and as Guitar Workshop & Master Class Instructor!
The Toronto Rock Camp
welcomes back Mike McAvan. Mike enthralled TRC campers
last year with this weekly clinics. This year, Mike
McAvan returns not only for his exciting weekly guitar
clinics, but also as an Instructor in the Toronto Rock
Camp's Guitar Workshop and Master Class program.
Mike is a gifted guitarist and composer who has received
endorsements from Ernie Ball Musicman guitars, Ernie Ball
strings, Koch amplifiers, Evidence Audio cables, DiMarzio
pick-ups and BOSS pedals, and most recently JAM
Pedals!
The Entire Toronto Rock Camp team returns for 2009!
Both Mike McAvan and Chris Lesso have clinics last year at the Toronto Rock Camp. The return not only as clinicians, but as instructors in our instrument specific master classes and workshops!
As our program is growing, so will our superb staff of instructors and clinicians! Stay tuned for announcements of the talented musicians and instructors who will be joining the Toronto Rock Camp team in 2009!
2009 Rock Camp Details to be Posted
Audio Mastering for CD Launch
Summer 2008 Wrap Up! Photos, Videos, Audio and More!
Note that each TRC Rock Camp will have its own set of pages, including a Photo Gallery and inline streaming video samples of its concert performances. Watch this space for more details!
Week Six Concert ends TRC Summer 2008 in style!
Mike McAvan and Chris Lesso Jam with TRC students
Left to Right: Chuck Majic, Elijah, Carmen, Chris Lesso,
Mike McAvan and Kameron
The highlight of the event was a jam with TRC students.
Elijah (guitar) performed with the trio on Stevie
Wonder's Superstition. Elijah was joined by Kameron
(guitar) on an original 12 Bar blues number improvised on
the fly by Mike McAvan and titled "Greek Town Blues". As
it was getting close to lunch time, Mike sang about
coming down to Greek Town (Danforth and Pape) in search
of Greek cuisine, only to be thwarted in his quest. The
song only ended when Mike exhausted his knowledge of
Greek dishes!
Carmen North joined Elijah and Kameron and sang lead
vocals on Road House Blues (The Doors). You can listen to
MP3 recordings of the jams in our Concert Recordings
section.
Week Five Concert Audio Ready for Download
TRC Band Duble + 2 Jams and Records with Mike McAvan
Left to Right: Miles, Graham, Nick, Elijah, Max and Susan
Toronto Rock Camp band Duble
+ 2 jammed with award winning master guitarist and super
nice guy Mike McAvan after Mike's August 7th clinic.
Without the benefit of any preparation, Duble + 2 members
(from left to right) Miles (Bass), Graham (Guitar), Nick
(Guitar), Elijah (Guitar), Max (Drums) and Susan
(Keyboards) recorded four tracks with Mike.
You can listen to Duble + 2 and Mike McAvan's versions of
Red House (Jimi Hendrix), Superstition (Stevie Wonder),
Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love (Van Halen) and Rock and Roll
All Night (Kiss) in our Concert Recordings
section. Simply a super impromptu performance by Mike
and Duble + 2!
Week Four Concert Audio Ready for Download
Week Three Concert Audio ready for download!
Week Two Concert Audio is ready for download!
First Scholarship students attend Toronto Rock Camp!
Week Two at the Toronto Rock Camp features four new Rock Bands!
Summer 2008 Week Two Toronto Rock Camp Musicians are
ready to rock!
"Live Mix" recordings of Week One Concert ready for download!
Fair Apparel to supply Toronto Rock Camp Official T-Shirts
About Fair Apparel:
Fair Apparel works exclusively with suppliers that are
either Fair Trade certified, pursuing certification, or
use ethical and sustainable business practices. Becoming
certified can be an expensive and difficult process and
is only open to developing countries. While we strongly
support this system, we feel it is of equal importance to
also support local ethical businesses and those who may
not yet qualify for Fair Trade labelling under the
Fairtrade Labelling Organizations (FLO). All of our
policies and business practices are built upon equitable
and sustainable practices, and environmental respect.
Toronto Rock Camp Summer 2008 Kicks Off with Four Rock Bands!
The Summer 2008 edition of the Toronto Rock Camp kicks off today! A group 22 of talented young musicians are joining together in four rock bands. Look out for photos, audio clips, and video clips to be posted on the TRC website over the next week.
D'Addario Canada Offers Prize Packs for Guitar, Bass and Drums
D'Addario Canada will offer prize packs for Guitarists, Bassists and Drummers attending the Toronto Rock Camp Summer 2008 Edition. Each guitarist and bassist will receive a D'Addario pack with strings, picks, keychains, lanyards, instruction sheets for the care, stringing and setup of their instrument, and other great promo items.
Toronto Rock Camp Announces 24 Scholarships for Summer 2008
Long and McQuade Sponsors the Toronto Rock Camp
The Toronto Rock Camp is proud to announce that Long and McQuade will be sponsoring the camp this year.
About Long and McQuade:
Long & McQuade is the largest chain of musical instrument retailers in Canada, with 28 locations from British Columbia to Ontario. This means that if you're a touring musician, you'll have the benefit of dealing with a familiar store with consistent sales, supply, service and support no matter where your home base is.
Long & McQuade Limited began in 1956 when Jack Long became a dealer for King Band Instruments. He set up a small store on Carlton Street in Toronto on the second floor of an old house which had been divided into music studios, and taught trumpet lessons on the side. About six months later he acquired a partner, Jack McQuade, who was teaching drum lessons in one of the young company's two small studios.
D'Addario Canada Sponsors the Toronto Rock Camp


D'Addario Canada has generously agreed to sponsor the Toronto Rock Camp with three of its fantastic brands participating. Toronto Rock Camp campers will receive a selection of D'Addario (Guitar and Bass strings), Planet Waves (Music Accessories) and Evans Drum Heads (Drum Products) items as well as benefitting from special clinics presented by D'Addario representatives. More details to follow!
Toronto Rock Camp Audio Files Posted
Songs by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, The Eagles, and other great bands were performed and recorded by our talented campers!




