Aspen Rocks is our local ‘American Idol’ style music competition.
In loving memory of our co-founder Tami Frances Word, whose vision and passion continue to inspire us.
The competition will feature six student musician finalists who will compete live at the Wheeler Opera House for a chance to win recording time with a professional engineer at the legendary Mad Dog Ranch+Studios. The performances will be judged by local musicians Josefina Mendez, Peach Street Revival Jordan Will, and surprise guest judge. The evening will include performances by Aspen Rocks 2024 winners Lana Bella and Tristan Trincado.
Prizes:
- 1st Place…Complete, two-day recording and production session. Record your song and have it mixed in a world-class recording studio with guidance from experienced engineers and producers. (Value $3,500+).
- 2nd Place…One-day recording session in a studio, complete with mentoring and production assistance (Value $1,750+).
- 3rd Place…Perform live in a recording studio, with video of the performance. (Value $1,200+).
Our three judges: Josefina Mendez started studying music and training her voice at an early age in her home town of Buenos Aires Argentina. Even though her voice lessons were Italian Opera, her passion and practice was jazz. At the age of 18 she was the youngest person to perform with the Argentine National Jazz Orchestra. She moved to the U.S. 21 years ago and has been performing in the Roaring Fork Valley. The music performed by Josefina combines rhythms, melodies, and different performance traditions that surpass the boundaries between language and culture. Jordan Will is a classically trained multi-instrumentalist turned rock-and-roller. She is known for her dynamic live performances across genres from jazz to punk. A passionate performer from a young age, she mastered multiple instruments, often challenging traditional gender norms in music. She studied music business at Colorado Mesa University as a percussion major. Jordan now plays bass and keys in Grand Junction-based band Peach Street Revival, which currently tours nationally and frequents major events like the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and renown Colorado-based festivals. Surprise special guest judge.
Our student Finalists are 1. Gracie Feinberg (17) Aspen High School. 2. Eleanor Hibbard (13) Grand Junction. 3. Eleanor Carroll (16) Aspen High School. 4. Austin Fotion (18) Roaring Fork High School. 5. Katie Huttonhower (18) Roaring Fork High School. 6. Adelaide Dorr (15) Aspen High School. 7. Jay Zimmerman (18) and 8. Linda Green (18) of Carbondale.
Special performances by 2024 Aspen Rocks winners Lana Bella and Tristan Trincado.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Inspire Aspen Foundation and go towards giving unique opportunities to student musicians in the Aspen Snowmass Roaring Fork Valley to pursue their talents and musical journeys. Please join us for a fantastic evening of music!
Changing Lives One Note At A Time! For more information about us visit www.inspireaspenfoundation.org
