YOUNG people who sign up to this year's Rock Academy summer school will have the opportunity to learn from a Grammy-nominated artist.

American singer/songwriter Garrison Starr will be among the tutors at the Rock Academy which will take place between August 1 and August 5.

Registration is now open and there are 40 places available for young people aged between 13 and 20. Over the five days participants will receive instrument and voice tuition and will have the opportunity to learn about the music business including song writing, sound checking and improvisation.

Organiser Claire Creer, who is head of music at St Ninian's, said: "Rock Academy has gone from strength to strength becoming a registered charity and holding weekend workshops.

"This year's summer school promises to be even better than last year and one of the most exciting pieces of news is that Garrison Starr is going to be one of the tutors."

Rock and folk star Garrison, who is from Tennessee, has made eight albums and two EPs and has toured with Melissa Etheridge, Steve Earle and Mary Chapin Carpenter. Her collaborative project Cho-dependent, with Margaret Cho, earned her a Grammy nomination last year.

Claire continued: "We are pleased to welcome back tutors from last year including Lewis Turner (guitar), Kim Roberts and Jay Norton (vocals), Shane Kerwin (drums) and Matt Creer (song writing and performance). We are also welcoming back modern folk artist Chris TT and Steve Gisbey will be joining the team to tutor bass.

"It's a great opportunity for the young people of the Isle of Man to have musicians of this calibre coming to our Island."

Rock Academy costs £125 per person and will be held at St Ninian's High School. Participants will work towards a final gig on the last evening which will be attended by their friends and family. To sign up e-mail rockacademyiom@live.co.uk or c.creer@snhs.sch.im.