Women take center stage at Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp

LOS ANGELES — On the Sunset Strip, beneath the dim glow of neon signs and guitars flanking a stage, more than 60 women have gathered at Hollywood’s Gibson Show Room in the name of rock and roll.

They’re there for night one of Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camps’ women-only series.

And though women who have played on some of the biggest stages in the world are performing, it’s not just about music.

It’s about empowerment, community and smashing the persistent glass ceiling in rock.

A set of drumsticks fly and a guitar rips in warmup. “The drums, the energy, I love that,” said Pepper Diaz. 

At 15 years old, this is Diaz’s third Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp. It’s another step on her rock and roll journey — a journey that’s already seen her grow into the kind of performer who commands attention on stage.

“I’ve grown so much,” the Kaua’i native said. “I feel like I’ve gotten a lot more confident with my stage presence.”

Pepper, like her fellow campers, will spend the weekend in rehearsals, jam sessions and intimate masterclasses with some of the most accomplished women in rock: famed drummer Sheila E, Lita Ford and Nita Strauss to name a few. And on Sunday, they’ll take the stage at the Viper Room, a moment that for many feels like stepping into a dream.

“I truly feel like a real rock star when I’m on the Viper Room or the Whiskey-a-Go-Go,” Diaz said with a grin. “In real life and being on there, it’s magical.”

While her previous camps have been open to musicians of all skill levels and all genders, this is Pepper’s first time participating in an all-women session. 

“I feel a lot more confident with the women’s camp just because we’re all like encouraging each other,” Diaz said.

The camp takes place amid sobering industry statistics. Women make up only 8.4% of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, and just three women have ever won the Grammy for Best Rock Album.

“They really helped me like see how to get through this industry being a woman, you know,” she said. It’s perhaps fitting that Diaz’s mentor, or “counselor,” this year is Mua Munoz, bass player for teen pop favorite Olivia Rodrigo.

Also among the mentors this year is bassist Eva Gardner, a touring musician for Cher, Pink and Gwen Stefani. For Gardner, the camp is a chance to give women what she didn’t have when starting out.

“Opportunities like this are something we didn’t have when I was coming up,” Gardner explains.

“I wish we did because you’re meeting a community of people from all walks of life,” she said. More than that, Gardner says, the camp removes the pressure to “make it,” and reminds women that rock doesn’t have to be about record deals and grueling tours.

“It’s not like, you know, some of us who were hoping to get signed when we were kids,” she said. “You can just do something for fun. You can be a rock star for a week—and why not?”

And Diaz doesn’t necessarily need to be a rock star, but she does need her music.

“I don’t really mind if I don’t become famous,” she said. “I just want to do what I love.” 

And when the Viper Room’s stage lights illuminate her with her fellow campers on Sunday night, she’ll be doing just that.  

To learn more about Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camps, visit rockcamp.com.