Element Skateboards Teams with The Collective Sound Music Academy to Take Teen Talent on Tour

Youth from the popular music camp are given a shot to open for headlining bands at 2007's premiere youth arts, sports and cultural event.

Chico, CA (PRWEB) June 14, 2007 -- The Collective Sound (TCS) Music Academy's Rock & Roll Summer Music Camp, running from July 8 - 28th, will give youth between 12 and 18 years of age a chance to perform their own original rock, pop and electronic music as part of Element Skateboard's 2007 Youth Movement Coop Tour (YMC Tour). Along with Venus Infers, The Shimmies, Aubrey Debauchery, and other musical guests, kids from the TCS program hit the stage in San Francisco, July 24th at Embarcadero & Market, Orange County at the Camp in Costa Mesa, July 25th, and Ocean Beach Skate Park in San Diego, July 27th..

Skate demos by the Adaptive Action Sports Team of Amped Riders as well as professional skaters will help round out the stops. Also on hand will be the "Big" art project by Beck(y) City and sponsor booths promoting positive youth messages.

The tour is the final leg in TCS's intensive, three-week 'life in a band' simulation, where youth write, record, perform and shoot music videos under mentors from bands and the music industry, including special guests from Capitol Records, MTV, Vmix, ASCAP and more.

Proceeds from this collaborative youth cultural and action sports event will support TCS's new after school music programs, set to start in Spring 2008, as well as Adaptive Action Sports.

"The Tour is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to give students the chance to access live audiences and venues. It's also a great chance for them to participate in events like the Element YMC Tour that bring awareness to social, cultural, and environmental issues for youth today," says TCS Camp Founder, Zac Smith.

Although the touring component sets TCS's program apart from other music camps, Smith says that the focus of the summer music academy is less on performance and primarily on the creative process of making music.

"Most of what's taught in school music programs today is repetition of pre-selected traditional music, with little emphasis on the collaborative creative process that is so important to aspiring musicians," says Smith. "In today's scene, creativity is key and the use of technology like turntables, electric guitar or computer is as valid as a trumpet."

The Collective Sound (TCS) is a non-profit organization with a goal to present youth of varying socio-economic and cultural backgrounds with an authentic experience in musical performance, recording and touring through the vehicle of rock, electronic and popular music.

For more information on TCS's 2007 Summer Rock & Roll Music Camps visit www.thecollectivesound.com, email info@thecollectivesound.com. For more information on the Element Youth Movement Coop Tour visit www.ymctour.com.

Press contact:

Zac Smith

zac @ thecollectivesound.com

Tel: 530-693-2058

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