In our DJ workshops, students:

• Learn the fundamentals of DJing, including beat matching, blending, BPM, song structure, and set building

• Explore the cultural history of DJing and its role in shaping music and community

• Develop technical fluency with DJ equipment, software, and signal flow

• Build listening skills and learn how to adapt music choices to different audiences and environments

• Gain confidence by performing, sharing mixes, and participating in listening parties

Every DJ workshop centers creativity, discipline, and performance—helping students move from passive listeners to intentional selectors and performers.

DJ workshops are designed for students who are curious about DJing and live music performance. No prior DJ experience is required. Instruction is scaffolded so beginners can build foundational skills, while students with some experience have opportunities to deepen their technique and musical understanding.

These workshops are especially well suited for schools and organizations seeking sustained, skill-building creative programming.

DJ workshops are offered in person only and are structured as multi-week residencies. A minimum commitment of 16 weeks is required to ensure students have adequate time to build technical skills, musical knowledge, and performance confidence.

Workshops can be hosted as part of:

• In-school programming

• After-school or extended-day programs

• Community center or youth organization programming

A DJ residency progresses from foundational concepts to performance-based learning. Topics include:

• Introduction to DJing and equipment

• How DJ systems work (signal flow and setup)

• Beats, bars, phrases, and BPM

• Beat matching and blending techniques

• Song structure and set building

• Listening parties and final showcases

Residencies culminate in a listening session or performance experience where students share their work.

We aim to make DJ workshops as accessible and easy to implement as possible.

We ask that partner sites have access to the following, if possible:

• A computer (Mac or PC) with reliable internet access

• Headphones and a speaker for monitoring and playback

• Internet access (preferred, but not always required)

DJ software and controllers can be provided by Building Beats for an additional fee. If your site does not currently have the necessary equipment, our team can support equipment rental or purchasing options and work with you to develop a plan that fits your program’s needs and budget.

Our music production classes support key outcomes many schools and youth-serving organizations prioritize, including:

• Digital literacy and creative technology skills

• Student engagement and motivation

• Social-emotional learning and confidence-building

• Collaboration, communication, and problem-solving

If a school or program has a specific instructional goal, youth development priority, or thematic focus, our team can adapt the curriculum to align with those needs. Custom curriculum packages are available, and we work closely with partners to ensure programming meaningfully supports their students and broader program objectives.