LOCAL FEATURE CREDIT: PARENT ROCKER ORGANIZATION PARENT ROCKER ORGANIZATION: PROVIDING YOUNG MUSICIANS THE CHANCE TO LEARN AND PERFORM BY ASHTON BROWN ONE OF THE BEST CHILDHOOD MEMORIES is performing on a stage, knowing friends and family are in the audience, watching. For many, without being part of a performance group like a choir, dance troupe, or band, getting to that stage may never happen. Parent Rocker Organization (PRO) provides opportunities for children to learn and become proficient musicians and performers. PRO offers scholarships, so children ages 7 to 18 can participate in the after-school music program at the School of Rock. Participants attend one lesson a week for three months. At the end of the three months, the students perform in front of a live audience. Parent Rocker Organization was established in 2013 and raises $20,000 in scholarships each year. Leading the organization is Melissa Hourigan, who has been a part of PRO for seven years and spent the last three as its president. According to Hourigan, the school was a powerful experience for her kids. “My husband is a musician, and he hasn’t played at half the CREDIT: PARENT ROCKER ORGANIZATION venues these kids have,” said Hourigan. “It’s really inspiring to see these kids, who are so talented and wouldn’t have that option without a scholarship.” .” Hourigan also said she has been fortunate to be able to send all three of her children to the Denver School of Rock, but the tuition, instruments, and even concert-related expenses, all add up. According 10 DENVER VOICE May 2023
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