Free Rock & Roll Classes for 29 Schools in the Chicago-area; 600-1,000 Students to Receive the Gift of Music Education

Little Kids Rock to Provide Free Two-day Teacher Training Workshop
February 29th-March 1st

February 27, 2008 – Chicago, IL - Little Kids Rock (LKR), a non-profit music program that provides free instruments and instruction for public school students, today announced that it will be launching new programs in 29 schools in the Chicago-area which will result in providing the gift of music education to between 600-1,000 K-12 students. Students who participate in the Little Kids Rock music program will receive free music classes in addition to guitars and gig bags. Little Kids Rock would like to thank Vosges Haut-Chocolat for their generous gift which has helped to support the Chicago initiative.

Little Kids Rock will be providing a free two-day mentor workshop for all teachers who wish to bring the LKR program into their schools. Teachers who complete the workshop may begin leading classes as early as April 2008. The workshop will take place on February 29th through March 1st, 10am-4pm each day at the Williams Multiplex, 2710 South Dearborn St., Chicago, IL. -- Media are invited to attend the two-day workshop.

Participating Chicago-area schools include: Sumner, Peck Elementary, Gale Academy, Patrick, Edward N. Hurley, Multicultural Arts High School, Pulaski Fine Arts Academy, Marquette Elementary, Jordan Community School, John Spry School, Jenner Academy of Arts, Telpochcalli, Donald Marquez, Infinity High School, Eli Whitney, Multicultural Arts School, Alain Locke Charter Academy, Williams Prep, John C. Burroughs, Elihu Yale, Chase Elementary, O'Toole, Daniel Boone Elementary School, Pershing West, Bartolome de las Casas, Chicago International Charter School, Dewitt Clinton Elementary, Shoop Academy, and Emmet Till Academy.

Little Kids Rock teaches kids how to play pop, rock, funk, blues and hip-hop music. LKR students not only perform, but they also compose and record their own music. They have released four full-length CDs as well as music videos featuring student-written originals. Currently, the Little Kids Rock program serves more than 12,000 students in California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Washington DC. Supporters of the program include Bonnie Raitt, Paul Simon, B.B. King and Brad Delson of Linkin Park.

About Little Kids Rock

Little Kids Rock believes that music is a critical component of a first-rate education. Many schools have been stripped of their music programs. These cuts have had a disproportionately large impact on children from low-income backgrounds. Little Kids Rock restores music to its rightful place in the academic lives of kids in our public schools by providing a rich music education program including instrument instruction, free instruments and trained mentors. Currently, the Little Kids Rock program serves more than 12,000 students in California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Washington DC. For more information, visit us at www.littlekidsrock.org or www.littlekidsrock.tv

Note to Media: Interviews with spokespeople and b-roll available upon request  

Media Contact:  
Allison Neves, PR Director
Little Kids Rock
415-948-1200
allison@littlekidsrock.org