It had a Depression-era movie plot -- three moms competing in tough times to send their kids to a $549 summer music camp -- but a Guitar Hero-era twist. They had to get up in front of a crowd and belt out a classic rock song, backed by a live band.

Natalie Bennett, 43, covered singer Pat Benatar to try to get her 11-year-old son, Skyler, in Camp Jam, a weeklong summer camp that teaches teenage musicians how to perform in bands. Mental health worker Karen Vestal, 44, of Beechview, wanted to win for one of her two kids, or maybe somebody from her church Downtown.

Unless she won, there was no way Deanna Kwiecinski, 36, of Ingram, could send her 8-year-old daughter, Hannah, to camp. Her husband lost his job two months ago and is now waiting tables.

"It's this or nothing. If I don't get picked, maybe next year the economy will be better," she said.

Ms. Kwiecinski stood up before the crowd at Swissvale Music -- which included Jeff Carlisi, the former lead guitarist of 38 Special and the camp's co-founder -- and did a great job with Joan Jett's "I Love Rock-N-Roll." She still lost.

The good news: Hannah, clad in a "Girls Rock" tank top, won her own way into the camp by nailing all the high notes in "Heartbreaker," another Benatar tune.

Ms. Bennett's theatrical version of "Hit Me with Your Best Shot" won the day (and a $100 spa gift certificate). It helped that the professional dancer was clad in black leather and incorporated dance moves honed on cruise line and modern dance circuits.

"I went from heels and fishnets to bare feet," the blond graduate of what was then Point Park College, now University, said of her dance experience.

Josh Shawhan, 13, of Mount Oliver, also won his way into camp with an improvised, double bass-pedal drum solo.

Camp Jam teaches kids ages 7-17 about teamwork, self-confidence and passion for music, in addition to band life, said Mr. Carlisi, who co-founded the camp in Atlanta in 2003. It is now held in 17 cities in the U.S. and Canada.

Former Rusted Root drummer Jim DiSpirito will host the Pittsburgh edition this year. The Pittsburgh camp, scheduled for Aug. 3-7 at Shady Side Academy in Fox Chapel, will be one of only three in the nation to offer overnight boarding in school dorms.