Alberni Teens Can Rock is restarting after the COVID-19 pandemic and is seeking a percussionist for their newest band.
The non-profit program was launched back in 2015 by Todd Flaro and Greg Alkerton to give some of Port Alberni’s young musicians an opportunity to play together as a group.
“We don’t teach kids how to play,” explained Flaro. “We bring them together, build a band and get them some playing experience.”
Alberni Teens Can Rock has put together a number of bands in the past, the two most successful being Stranger Than Fiction and Sturdy Lemon. While both bands have aged out of the Teens Can Rock program, Sturdy Lemon is still together and Stranger Than Fiction has morphed into Madi Duncan and the Amateur Hour.
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“They’re on their own, doing their own thing now,” said Flaro.
Alberni Teens Can Rock had about seven projects on the go when COVID-19 hit and forced the program to take a two-year break to follow health restrictions.
“It destroyed us,” said Flaro. “With seven acts on the go, we weren’t looking to the future. The kids went off to college and there was nobody left. Now we want to focus on just one band.”
The newest Alberni Teens Can Rock project is so new that they don’t even have a band name yet. In fact, they’ve only practiced together twice. So far they’ve been performing covers of some old classics, but Flaro says the group will eventually start building a repertoire of original songs.
Mia Hopkins, 12, is the band’s lead singer. She started singing in talent shows in Grade 4, and most recently grabbed Flaro’s attention when she won a school karaoke contest.
“Todd approached me about [Alberni Teens Can Rock] and I knew it was something I’d be into,” said Hopkins.
Jaidyn Veresh, 16, the band’s keyboardist, was also approached by Flaro after a talent show.
“I was interested in meeting other kids who play music,” she explained.
Grace Aussem, 15, plays guitar. She says she got to know Flaro in cadets, where he is also a leader.
“I’d been hounding her for about a year to join,” Flaro laughed.
While Flaro has a lead on a potential bass player for the band, he is still looking for a drummer and is putting out an open call to any young percussionists who want to join the band.
“We’re not looking for the next prodigy, the next Neal Peart,” Flaro said. “We’re looking for a good attitude, and someone who’s willing to grow and be taught.”
Flaro says the teens get to make most of the creative decisions behind the scenes—he and Alkerton are mostly there for things like management and conflict resolution.
“It helps to have two adult leaders,” he said. “We take a lot of that aspect away, so the kids don’t have the distractions and can focus on the music.”
Flaro and Alkerton book live shows for their bands, from venues in Victoria to parades and shows at Char’s Landing. They also bring in guest speakers to help with things like writing and development.
For anyone interested in joining Alberni Teens Can Rock, Flaro can be reached at 250-735-0784 or at accuratealberni@gmail.com. Alkerton can be reached at 250-735-3356.