By Staff Reports | Times-Dispatch
Video by Eva Russo
Published: September 05, 2010

Richmond, Va. -- Dean Fields takes a group of music students and, in one week, turns them into a band.

He just finished his third summer running "Rock Star Camp" at Key Signatures music store on Grove Avenue in Richmond's West End.

"I'm a musician, so I write and tour, so it's nice to do something less self-serving," he said about his job as camp director.

A singer and songwriter who plays guitar, harmonica, drums, bass and piano, Fields has toured with or opened for Hootie and the Blowfish, K.T. Tunstall, Cake, Lisa Loeb and Rosanne Cash.

"These kids take on the whole thing, learning every aspect of a song, not just the beginnings to 'Stairway to Heaven' [by Led Zeppelin] or 'Back in Black' [ by AC/DC]," he said.

"Some take on the whole rock star persona."

One student wore an orange wig. Another pulled on pink cowboy boots for their end-of-the-week performances for family and friends.

"It's very laid back, not strict," said Catherine Carson, 13, one of five in the last band this summer.

Students range from ages 8 to 15 and play at all skill levels, Fields said. His challenge is bringing together a compatible group of students.

"Some are skilled for being 15 years old. Some are skilled for being 8."

And are there any budding rock stars? "Absolutely. A lot of them," he said.