That’s the motivation behind an event planned by recording artist and White House of Music guitar teacher Katrina Johansson. The School of Rock Open House, set for Friday afternoon, is a girls-only guitar jam session and an introduction to Johansson’s eight-week course.

"Part of it is to give the girls the opportunity that they really haven’t had," Johansson said. "When I was younger, girls didn’t play the guitar. That’s all starting to change."

During Friday’s free event from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at White House of Music in Waukesha, girls of all ages are invited to hear Johansson play a couple songs, try their hands at playing themselves and learn about the course, which will be offered to girls who have drumming experience or can play at least three chords on the guitar. The course will begin in January and costs $199 per participant. Attendees will take part in weekly, 1 1/2-hour practices with their peers. The girls will write a song, learn how to play it within a band and perform at a concert for family and friends at the end of the course.

Johansson, originally from Milwaukee, picked up her first guitar at age 9 at her parents’ urging after a failed attempt at gymnastics. She has recorded two independent albums, the first, entitled Guitarsongs Volume I with help from guitar legend and Guitar World Magazine columnist Michael Angelo Batio. Her second album, released late last year, is called Love, Surrender, Forgiveness. Johansson - whose influences include Eddie Van Halen and Richie Blackmore - has earned three product endorsements, including nods from Luna Guitars and Dean Guitars.

Johansson hopes the girls who enroll in the course take away a sense of "empowerment."

"Of course it’s about empowering them because traditionally, we all know that guitar playing is a male dominated field, period," she said. "And a lot of women are starting to break through that."

Additionally, the girls will get to use their creativity and boost their self-esteem. They will also learn about teamwork, as they will have to work within a band of their peers.

"It’s just going to be all-around fun," Johansson said.

For more information about the event or to enroll in the music course, visit www.whitehouseofmusic.com or call Jenny at (262) 798-9700. Johansson’s music is available at CDBaby. Check out her Web site at www.katrinaguitar.com.