Kidz Rock funds music access for Cottage Grove youth

Ian Clevenger and Phil Carson both found their way into music through a small moment in church, and that same kind of open door was on display at Kidz Rock in Cottage Grove. The fundraiser turned live performances into practical help for young musicians, channeling money into instruments, repairs and instruction for families that might not otherwise be able to afford them.

The event unfolded at The Axe & Fiddle, 657 E Main St. Seven acts took the stage: Anna Star, Orias, The Indestructibles, The American Idiots, S.O.N.G., The Friday Crew and Ian W. & Friends. Alongside the music, the evening included auctions, raffles, art and dancing, making the May 30 gathering part concert, part community fundraiser and part access drive.

Behind the event was the Music Education & Performing Artists Association, or MEPAA, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2015 by Matrisha Armitage. The organization says it combines programs including Kidz Rock, Grrrlz Rock, MuseArt and the MEPAA Music & Arts Center under one umbrella, with a mission to remove barriers to music and arts education and to support inclusion, exploration and success for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

That mission goes well beyond stage time. MEPAA says it provides adaptable instruction for students with physical, cognitive, developmental and behavioral disabilities, including high- and low-sensory class options. Students from Independent Environments Inc. and Family Choice Services attend weekly classes, and the organization says financial assistance is available for lessons while some jam sessions provide all instruments and equipment. Its volunteer page says extensive training is required because it serves vulnerable populations.

Clevenger said music taught him how bands work and how to share music with others, showing how the program builds confidence and leadership as well as technique. MEPAA’s disability program and student-driven lessons help keep more children involved, especially in a town where access to arts education can depend on family resources and transportation. The nonprofit’s free instrument repair and maintenance program has provided $7,450 in services, a concrete measure of how fundraising at Kidz Rock is converted into access. With archive material going back to 2014, MEPAA has built a long-running arts network in Lane County that turns one night of local music into a continuing path for Cottage Grove youth.