Shanna Doolittle

“When I was 15 years old, I sold my surfboard and bought my first drum set for $130.  I began teaching myself how to play the drums in my parent’s garage.  Within a few months, I discovered that playing with friends was way more fun than playing along to Led Zeppelin and bad 80s music in my headphones.  Ever since, I have played the drums in countless bands.

I graduated from CSU Chico with a BA in English and minor in Creative Writing in December, 1994.  During my time in college, I played in several bands that toured the West coast and Southern US.  Of all the cities I visited on those tours, I loved Portland the most, hands down.  Soon after graduation, I moved to Portland, got a job working at the YMCA, and started playing drums with Sarah Dougher in the Lookers, and with Emily Kingan in the Haggard.  It was in these two bands that I really started to learn about PAs, recording, sound engineering, and band promotion.  I started making short videos on VHS, then digital, working with my friends in recording studios, putting on all ages shows in my basement, and touring all over the world.  While touring, I also distributed my zine ‘Way Down Low’ and made vegan bracelets, wallets and belts to sell at the merch table.  I have toured in Europe, Australia, Brazil, and all over the US totaling over 30 tours in fifteen years.   Currently, I play music with Lisa Schonberg in a double drum band called STLS and in a percussion ensemble group called Secret Drum Band.

In 2001 I joined the volunteer drum instructor crew at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp for Girls and helped create the curriculum for the drum classes.  I volunteered at every Summer Camp until I became the program director in 2006.  In 2011, I took a brief interim executive director position.  During this time I became proficient in drum gear, sound tech, and band coaching and managing.  I collaborated with fellow staff on the book Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp for Girls, How to Start a Band, Write Songs, Record and Album, and Rock Out!  I helped train volunteers and interns, started the Girls Rock Camp Alliance (an international network of girls rock camps), and taught or assisted in every instrument and workshop from DJing to Self-Defense to Screen Printing.

My main focus continues to be developing my skills as a positive mentor for youth who are struggling to achieve goals as creative musicians, learning a new instrument, and working together with band mates to write original music. Teaching youth about music and the associated skills is my passion.  I feel that playing music can build confidence and develop skills that prepare young adults for a lifetime of awesome challenges and opportunities.  I am excited to step back into the classroom at the Youth Music Project!”