At the end of Cassie Menacker’s freshman year at Colgan High School, her music teacher, John Mills encouraged students to apply to Grammy Camp, but she was concerned she would not make the cut.
At the end of her sophomore year, as tribute to her former teacher, Menacker applied to the competitive program, submitting a video of herself playing bass guitar. It was a good thing she did.
Menacker, 16, of Bristow, was accepted to the prestigious 2024 Grammy Camp in Los Angeles and attended a weeklong session in July.
Organized by the Grammy Foundation and Grammy Museum, the music camp accepts only the most promising young musicians. It is run by music professionals, who provide campers with insight into the music business and how to achieve success in their chosen musical field.
Menacker is one of only three high school students in the country chosen for instrumental performance in bass guitar. And she was the only person from Virginia selected to attend this year.
Menacker began her music career young, first learning piano and vocals. When she was 9, her father suggested she try bass guitar, too, saying bands always need a bassist. She was not too happy with the experience until she switched to attending Contemporary Music Center in Haymarket.
“She had started bass lessons at a different location initially and was ready to give up, but she was inspired by CMC, which has lasted with her even now,” said Mark Menacker, Cassie’s father.
CMC gave Menacker two years to learn the fundamentals, after which she could join a band and perform at the school’s summer rock camp concert. The band rehearsed for two weeks before performing for a live audience.
This was a turning point for the young musician, who began taking the bass more seriously. She was no longer just a music student. She was a bassist.
She attracted the attention of CMC owner and instructor Menzie Pittman, who saw her as an exceptional student who brought “sincerity to the effort.”
“I’ve never seen her step into a situation where she didn't light the room up. She has wonderful energy. Whenever Cassie is involved in something, it gets better,” Pittman added.
Pittman saw that she could take direction and add her own creativity to the mix, and she radiated an undeniable charisma. “She’s always positive, in any setting I’ve ever worked with her in. When you see the spark, that’s the kind of thing I always remember is to accelerate on it the best that I can.”
By the seventh grade, Menacker was constructing her own riffs in a CMC band consisting of high-school girls. Soon she became CMC’s “flagship” bassist and played with multiple house bands. She realized her father was right. Everyone does need a bassist.
The next year, her peers encouraged her to audition for Colgan High School’s Center for the Fine and Performing Arts, and she was accepted. She is now beginning her junior year in Colgan’s Music Technology Program, in which students learn to write, record, produce and publish music.
And she is excelling.
“Cassie is a dream student,’ said Colgan music tech teacher Sophia Levy. “She’s an excellent bassist and her consistent delivery of high-quality projects, meeting deadlines and exceeding expectations showcases her commitment and professionalism.”
Menacker was also selected to be a core member of the school’s select rock band, 1623, which performs often at school events. In addition to her music studies, she plays varsity field hockey and tennis for Colgan.
Menacker was overjoyed to be selected to Grammy Camp, to meet new musicians and learn from them.
“It was so great. I really liked getting to collaborate with all the other musicians around my age,” Menacker said. “Everyone had their own personal experience. Everyone had something to add.”
At camp, Menacker was placed in an instrumental track and assigned to a “combo” directed by three-time Grammy producer Jason “Spicy G” Goldman, who produced for Michael Buble. He encouraged the musicians to take the lead and be creative.
“We literally had our own voices. We gave our input, and talked out disagreements,” she said, “It was so collaborative.”
And she learned more about the industry than she ever knew. For instance, the campers were taught how to create a song that is marketable, basically “a hit.” It’s a skill Menacker hopes to teach her musical friends.
The campers were also taught to market themselves as musicians. “[They teach you how] to sell yourself as a brand, and put yourself out there on social media, to really send your brand to the people to get followers, and get traction for your music,” she said.
And she was able to learn first-hand from Blu DeTiger, a professional singer and bassist she admires.
“She’s just another human being, very nice. Very down to earth,” she said. “It was interesting to hear her success story. How she really does prioritize bass.”
Menacker said she had such a good time she plans to apply again next year.
“It went by so fast. I wish it was longer,” she said. “I really met some lifelong friends. It was so special.”
Menacker plans to attend college and either major or minor in music. Even if she chooses another profession, she knows music will always play a part in her life.
“It’s really what I love, and it brings so much joy to me,” she said.
Courtesy of Haymarket Gainesville Lifestyle Magazine and Rappahannock Media. All rights reserved.
Read the full story in Haymarket Gainesville Lifestyle Magazine.
Support Bristow Beat - Donate Today!
