Donors
Miller Tourtlotte Law is a Billings-based personal injury law firm that has been generous with their donations for our 2026 camp. We were able to make the camp possible for almost twenty student scholarships this year—which is a record!
About A.J. Miller:
Founding partner A.J. Miller grew up in Billings and started teaching himself how to play bass in 1998 when he was 13 years old. From that point on, playing bass has been one of his greatest passions and a major part of his identity. In 2006, he joined Bozeman mainstays, The Clintons, and spent the next several years playing for audiences all across Montana (likely including many of your parents). Even though the Clintons slowed down in the early 2010's and his schedule does not lend itself to frequent performances, A.J. is just as passionate about playing now as he was learning Rage Against the Machine songs in his parents' house back in 1998. It still offers him a creative outlet, a welcome distraction from work, a rewarding way to challenge himself, a bonding oppprtunity with his kids, valuable lessons in how to collaborate with others, and the joy of creating art for others to enjoy. A.J. and the rest of Miller Tourtlotte Law are thrilled to contribute to this wonderful program and help provide this next generation of rock stars the chance to feed their passions and develop skills that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
Ethan Kanning with NAI Business Properties has been an outstanding donor for AMP Camp and we are grateful for his generosity and him having his son be apart of the camp for three years.
From Ethan: I think some of the most important and beautiful parts of life, especially childhood, revolve around the arts, community, and building friendships and confidence in oneself. After a few years of AMP Camp, I am thoroughly convinced that it helps every kid grow into the best version of themselves. I've seen my quiet, artistic, and soft-spoken son build unshakable confidence on stage in front of hundreds of people—in just a few years and after only a few concerts. I spent a lot of my childhood nervous and anxious, and would've loved an opportunity like AMP to grow in confidence and self-worth, and to build lasting relationships with other music students. We are so thankful our kids have the opportunity to learn from world-class musicians, and we look forward to AMP Camp and the final concerts every year.
Sam after the big Amp Camp show at the Yellowstone Valley Brewing Co.
Sam Meling Memorial Scholarship Fund
Sam was born on Feb. 2, 2002 in Billings. Sam passed from this life on Nov. 17, 2015 in Laurel.
Sam's family has kept Sam's memory vibrant at Amp Camp by donating scholarships so that students in need of financial assistance get the opportunity to attend the camp each summer. Sam was a perfect addition to our camp and part of our first meeting with Bob Engel's "Laurel Boys" three years ago. Sam was always positive and ready to step out of his comfort zone and take a big solo for the the end of camp rehearsals and performance.
We all miss Sam and we are thankful for the Meling's continued encouragement and support for Amp Camp as well as keeping us connected to Sam in this way.
Who was Sam Meling? Sam was an 8th grader destined for greatness. He was intellectual - an honor student, avid reader, and creative writer. Sam was talented - a guitarist, photographer and actor. Sam was an athlete - a karate black belt, skier and runner. Sam was an outdoorsman - family hiking/ camping trips, playing in Flathead Lake and horseback riding at his favorite ranch in Wyoming. Sam was funny - he displayed a clever, low key sense of humor and a high energy goofy side too. Sam was a game player - enamored with video games and paintball. Sam was worried about other people’s feelings and was kind and caring. He had the biggest heart of anyone and people always said he had an “old soul”. Sam was an amazing big brother to his sister Lucy and the best son a mom and dad could ever hope for. The world lost an amazing soul when Sam left this earth to be with his Father in Heaven.
Hansen Music.
Hansen music is one of our favorite shops in the world and we are pleased that they have generously donated scholarships and supplies to our camp year after year.
Hansen Music is one of Billings, Montana’s oldest and most professional musical supply stores and equipment service centers. Every member of the Hansen Team is either a pro musician, master technician or comes with seasoned experience within the music industry. The New Store carries the largest amount of musical stock in the region and hot new items are always pouring in. You name it ... guitars, basses, banjos, violins, keyboards, drum kits, effects, PA systems, trumpets, percussion, ukuleles, mandolins, amplifiers, strings, sheet music, and a mountain of accessories that will blow your mind and please your ear.
A big thank you to Music Villa for donating a guitar and deals to the final concert raffle and students in need of purchasing gear!
The new Music Villa Billings location officially opened on March 7, 2024! The crew will feature a few familiar Billings faces from the old Guitars & Amps store on Grand Avenue. That’s right… Jay, Eric, and the crew (with the addition of a few new members) will be operating the new store. Of course Paul, Geno, and crew will be assisting as needed, but we look forward to the new store offering the same great sales & service that made Guitars & Amps so awesome!
From beginner to expert and from hobbyist to collector, a visit to Music Villa Billings will surely be an experience and will most certainly be a welcome addition to a bustling Downtown Billings scene.
Eckroth Music has been generous with AMP Camp in donating instruments for us to use during the week as well as folders for every student! We are so happy to have every music store in town behind what we are doing!
Shriner Brass Band has donated a generous amount to our camp this year and we are grateful for their support for our camp and campers
Past Donors
Nick Cladis and the Mary Alice Fortin Foundation for Youth Enrichment
"The family has had a profound impact on Billings and has been a catalyst for a great community spirit,"
We are thankful to have had donations to our camp from this foundation.
CMYK Church
Cmyk Community has supported AMP CAMP for three + years now holding to their values that they have enough and can support local arts, global and local causes. We are very grateful to them for their continued support and vision for the community. http://cmykcommunity.com
Rocky Mountain college and Professor Jen Bratz we couldn't do it w/out you!
John J. Roberts.
Ben Johns
Mark and Josi Wilgus
MMI Montana music institute. Although no longer running, MMI was one of the premier music camps in Montana, bringing instruments and teaching to the hands of hundreds of kids each year. MMI has generously donated to scholarships for 2022 and 2023 Amp Camp years.