Founder and Director

Amy Oelsner is the Founder and Director of Girls Rock Bloomington. Amy is also a musician and songwriter who tours nationally with her bands Amy O and Brenda’s Friend. In addition to having over 15 years of experience working with kids in schools, camps and after-school programs- she was the Assistant Director, Visual Art and Zine Making Program Director at Rhino's Youth Center from 2013-2018 and served as On-Ramp Central Program Manager and On-Ramp Team Lead with the Indiana Arts Commission from 2020-2022. Before moving to Bloomington, Amy ran the After-School Program at the Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls in Brooklyn, NY and volunteered with the New York camp as a guitar instructor and band coach. These opportunities gave her a passion for empowering girls, trans and non-binary youth through music, and she is thrilled to be bringing her experience to Girls Rock Bloomington. Amy is honored to be the recipient of the 2020 Indiana Governor's Arts Emerging Artist Award.

Outreach Coordinator, Programs

Kristin Thompson’s passion for Girls Rock Bloomington comes from a personal history with music and a dedication to making music accessible for everyone, especially youth. Kristin brings over 10 years of experience in musical instrument instruction. Since 2016, Kristin has been the owner and manager of Weed Patch Music Company – a folk and acoustic musical instrument store in Nashville, IN – where she teaches private lessons and holds monthly workshops for guitar, ukulele, banjo, dulcimer, mandolin, and more. Having started guitar lessons at the age of 13, Kristin struggled to find confidence as a female musician in a heavily gendered musical world filled with barriers. Through her work with GRB and Weed Patch, Kristin hopes to change that and contribute to new generations of powerful, creative, and confident girls, trans, and non-binary youth by encouraging positive self-esteem and providing opportunities for self-expression that she wished she could have had at their age!

Outreach Coordinator, Communications

Carrie Albright grew up in a large, loud, and highly musical family making Girls Rock Bloomington feel like the perfect organization to be part of. After spending years as a camp counselor and environmental educator for children ages 6–16, she wholeheartedly believes in the power of education through inclusive, encouraging connections. As a long-term member of Bloomington’s Environmental Commission, Carrie loves the opportunity to support her local community, and bringing confidence and creativity to girls, trans, and non-binary youth is an absolute honor.

Open Mic Coordinator

From singing since they were born to writing songs when they were 12, music has been a huge part of Jae/Neo Gasana’s life. Jae/Neo is a non-binary black musician based in Bloomington, Indiana. They are mostly known for their performing acts Punk Rock Cuties (PRC) and Deity Complex. Jae/Neo first discovered Midway through Rising Star, having performed at their first competition with PRC in 2017. Now working as GRB’s Open Mic Coordinator and Teen and Young Adult Advisory Board’s youth leader, Jae/Neo is excited about uplifting young BIPOC voices in the community, raising awareness for mental health through music, and reaching the lower income parts of Bloomington.

IUAHC Partner Liaison

Natalia Almanza is the Program and Operations Coordinator with the IU Arts and Humanities Council. Her passion for music started in middle school when she began playing the guitar and trombone. While she still loves performing, her focus has shifted to instilling an appreciation of the arts in others through programming. She is the co-owner of Paramind Records, an equitable, sustainable and community-based record label out of Bloomington, IN. Natalia is also the creator and executive producer of Tiny Dorm Concerts, a student-run concert series filmed at Indiana University featuring local and student musicians. Natalia volunteered as a band coach and vocal instructor for Girls Rock Bloomington since the very first GRB camp in 2019 and is happy to be returning as the IUAHC Partner Liaison.

Gear Coordinator

Nick Romy was born and raised in Bloomington and attended the IU Jacobs Shool of Music as a Jazz Studies major, then went on to study and work in Chicago as a luthier and now owns and runs Ardent Instruments, a full service guitar and stringed instrument repair shop. Nick is also a musician and has been playing in bands and touring for over 20 years. As part of a collective, Nick helped open and run The Void, an all-ages volunteer-run DIY music venue an arts space in Bloomington. Nick and Amy previously worked together at Rhino's all ages club, where they ran music and arts related after school programs for teens. Nick is proud and honored to be the gear coordinator for Girls Rock Bloomington and cares deeply for the Girls Rock mission of uplifting and empowering girls, trans, and non-binary youth through rock and roll!