Meet April Rooks! April is a longtime Hall County resident and singer/entertainer and mother of two. You may have seen April sing at many local restaurants and events over the years in Gainesville and Hall County.
Recently, April has founded a nonprofit called, sponsored by the North Georgia Community Foundation,  AMPED.
AMPED Kids Foundation is a start-up organization with a vision to amplify, grow, and impact children through music programs who are currently under the care of the CASA organization in Georgia. (CASA provides trained, screened and supervised volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children.)
“As we grow a child’s talent, we empower he or she to work hard towards achieving their goals. When we impact a child’s life, we give a vision for their future. As we amplify a child, we allow them to shine as he or she was created to be, build confidence and empower the child to a hopeful future,” according to April.
AMPED will provide private music lessons for voice, guitar, piano and drums; and offer band scholarship opportunities for middle and high school students.
In just a few weeks AMPED will have a launch party at Luna’s on May 8, for more information check out the Facebook invite  or go to www.ampedkids.org.
AMPED Launch Party Details
6 p.m. May 8
Luna’s Restaurant (Atrium)
200 Main Street SW, Gainesville, GA 30501
We want to thank April for recently taking time to talk to us and tell us more about her life and love of Hall County.
Question: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
A: “My passion has always been music but it also my purpose. I’ve been in other career paths as a single mother to provide but music performance and instruction are always where I am most fulfilled and see so much reward.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Hall County, and what do you love there?
A: “Avocado’s is my favorite downtown restaurant. I usually get the bacon grilled cheese and love that they have gluten free options.”
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Hall County?
A: “I was born in Hall County and have lived here my entire life.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met in Hall County and why?
A: “It would be Mike Whitfield who was my neighbor. I met him when I first moved in my neighborhood because my dog has befriended him. He rolled in his wheelchair (he was a quadriplegic) and we became best friends. He was the most loving, inspiring, helping and positive person I’ve known despite his injury.”
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: “My dad and I would take annual trips to Cherokee and the Smoky Mountain National Park.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
A: “I would visit Italy because I love the landscapes there well, and of course, the wine!”
Q: What is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?
A: “Steel Magnolias with my mom and her two sisters.”
Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?
A: “The secret to life is giving yours away. A wise man once asked, ‘What reward do you have if you gain the whole world and lose your own soul?’ Use your passion and follow your purpose fiercely and today!
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “To have a music artist record one of my songs that becomes a top ten hit.”
Q: What is your favorite music/ three bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: “Mariah Carey was one of my first influences musically that I would most love to see live followed by Janis Joplin and Dolly Pardon.”
Q: What local business makes you the most nostalgic about Hall County and why?
A: “Mule Camp Tavern because it was previously Henry O’s, which was a favorite lunch hang out and the first venue I ever sang at here in Gainesville.”
Q: Choosing anyone (past or present and a non-relative), with whom would you love to have lunch? And where locally would you have this lunch?
A: “Jesus. I have a lot of questions. And, I think we would go to Two Dog so we could break bread because they make the best homemade fresh bread.”
Q: What is your favorite thing about Hall County?
A: “As someone who loves the outdoors and nature, I would say my favorite thing is having the lake, rivers and close proximity to the mountains for hiking, camping and beautiful scenery.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in five or 10 years?
A: “Traveling across the state helping to make a large impact in children’s lives through the AMPED Kids Foundation.”
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: “I am an introvert. Although I love performing and socializing, I need time to recharge afterwards.”
Q: What three words mean “Home” to you?
A: “Family, Georgia, South.”
The Faces of Hall County is a project to showcase the amazing people that live or work in our community. If you would like to nominate an interesting person to be featured please email babernathy@gonorton.com.