Volunteer Spotlight - Melanie Fuest

Name: Melanie Fuest

Age: 35

Hometown: Attica, NY. But I have lived in Providence for a loooong time.

What do you do at Girls Rock RI? I was the first volunteer co-ordinator, but I am awful with computers and e-mails. So now I am primarily a drum instructor at the Girls and Ladies rock camps. I also volunteer and teach with our after school program, Girls Get Loud. Also try to help out in many small ways....whatever I can do.

How did you get involved with Girls Rock RI? Hilary Jones had this idea of starting a rock camp here for a long time and when she was ready to begin getting it off the ground she gave me a call. We have been friends since she had moved here and talked alot about the philosophies behind something like this project. I immediately said, "yes!!!!". It was, and still really is, exciting to be involved with such a special group of women. And it just keeps growing!

How did you get started in music? I had played clarinet and sang in chorus when I was younger, but I didn't start playing "rock" music until I was about 27 or 28. I had met Hilary when she moved here and she decided she wanted to start a band. I was appointed as the drummer. It didn't matter that I had never picked up a drumstick or had ever once in my life entertained the idea of doing something like that. I just said, "Ok.". We went out and bought a drum set and she taught me the AC/DC beat. The rest is history.

What was your first rock show and what do you remember most about it? The Violent Femmes at Providence Performing Arts Center. I went with a group of my friends. We were 15 at the time. I just remember there was so much energy. People dancing in the aisles of this beautiful theater. The band was amazing! They are still one of my favorites to this day.

What female musician (dead or alive) would you most like to meet? That is so hard! I would have to say Tori Amos. I have had a crush on her spirit and music since I was a teenager. A close second would be Lorretta Lynn. Such a no nonsense strong woman who was so vulnerable in her songs. Amazing.

What message do you have for all the budding female rockers out there? You have a voice!!!! Fear is fleeting so don't let it stop you from finding yours. Playing music has been an experience that has changed me in so many positive and wonderful ways.

Where can we find you when you are not rocking? Getting my butt kicked in Scrabble, watching TV series for way too many hours in a row, eating fattening food with friends, seeing local bands play, and obsessively reading books about vampires, zombies, and supernatural phenomenon.

What are you listening to these days? Beirut, Devotchka, Jose Gonzalez, Uke of Spaces, The Hollies, Townes Van Zant, and of course B-101(I only have an am/fm radio in my car)!

From everyone at Girls Rock! RI... You Rock Melanie! Thank you for everything you do.