Bronx DJ Academy

 

History: 

             The Bronx DJ Academy is a key component of our teen program.  This is the 4^th year of DJ classes at SRCO.  The DJ program has greatly expanded since its inception in 2004.  We have grown from a small class with inadequate equipment to a very popular class with expert instructors, cutting edge DJ equipment, borough-wide recognition, and advanced students who are hosting events throughout the Bronx. 

 

Overview:

 

DJ 101

Our introductory level DJ class is open to all Bronx students who have a desire to learn a new instrument, the turntables.  Learning a new instrument takes dedication, patience, and practice.  Our teachers begin the course by focusing on equipment set-up, basic DJ/music theory, and novice scratches.  Our assistant instructors offer one-on-one support, making sure all students are on the same page.  Once students can “drop on the one” and have a 5-scratch repertoire under their belt, they are tested and may advance to the next phase of learning.

 

DJ 102

Our intermediate class is designed to improve upon the techniques learned in DJ 101, while also focusing on the skills necessary to successfully rock a party.  The DJs in our 102 class are fine-tuning their scratches and drops, but are also learning how to mix and blend, both indispensable skills when DJing parties.  Our level two DJs learn from our vastly experienced DJ instructor, but also gain knowledge from our advanced students who have deejayed numerous parties during the last two years.  Our advanced DJ 102 students have the opportunity to enter into the apprenticeship phase or our DJ program, allowing them to accompany our advanced students to select parties.  This form of experiential learning is crucial to the learning curve of our DJ 102 students who aspire to take their craft to the next level.  Select students from the apprenticeship phase of DJ 102 will be asked to join our DJ team of advanced students.

With dedication, practice, and time all students will have the opportunity to join our advanced team.         

   

 

 

Objectives:

Learn DJ/music theory and concepts

Understand the history of Hip Hop music and DJing

Become familiar with trends in DJing and types of DJs

Learn how to “drop on the one”

Learn basic and advanced scratching techniques

Learn how to beat-match, mix, and blend

Become familiar with the pioneers of Hip Hop music, many of whom were pioneering DJs.

Develop a critical awareness of the music industry and the media

Learn time management and budgeting skills

 

 

Individual Course Objectives

 

     DJ 101 Milestones

Equipment set-up (Will be able to name all parts of set-up)

Will be able to count bars

Understand the concept of BPM

Demonstrate ability to perform all five basic scratches (Baby, Release, Drag, Reverse, and Scribble)

Students will learn about the general history of Hip Hop and DJing

Will be able to define:  Break (and locate the break of a record)

Students will master dropping on the one

 

     DJ 102 Milestones

Will continue to fine tune basic scratches and dropping on the one

Students will be able to set up equipment by themselves

Demonstrate ability to perform advanced scratches (transformer)

Demonstrate ability to beat match, mix, and blend

Become familiar with trends in DJing and types of DJs

Students will become familiar with the pioneers of DJing.

Select students in DJ 102 will shadow advanced DJs at parties and will observe the multiple aspects of throwing a successful party.

Will become comfortable speaking on the mic

Students will gain confidence in their skills   

 

     DJ Apprenticeship (Advanced DJ Team) Milestones

DJ all of our events and hired gigs

Continue to improve upon DJ skills

T.A. our 101 and 102 classes

Master the art of using the mic to hype up a crowd

Help with outreach and recruitment of Bronx DJ Academy

Will earn a stipend (To be distributed at end of program)

Will attend job readiness, college prep, financial literacy, or any other relevant workshops throughout the year

Will maintain a pre-determined GPA at school

Will meet with advisor (teen coordinator) to discuss progress, T.A. experience, outreach strategies, school progress, and future goals and plans

 

 

 

Corresponding NYS Learning Standards 

 

The Arts

Standard 1: Creating, Performing, and Participating in the Arts

Students will actively engage in the processes that constitute

creation and performance in the arts (dance, music, theatre,

and visual arts) and participate in various roles in the arts.

Standard 2: Knowing and Using Arts Materials and Resources

Students will be knowledgeable about and make use of the

materials and resources available for participation in the arts

in various roles.

Standard 3: Responding to and Analyzing Works of Art

Students will respond critically to a variety of works in the

arts, connecting the individual work to other works and to

other aspects of human endeavor and thought.

Standard 4: Understanding the Cultural Contributions of the Arts

Students will develop an understanding of the personal and

cultural forces that shape artistic communication and how the

arts in turn shape the diverse cultures of past and present

society.

 

Career Development and Occupational Studies

Standard 1: Career Development

Students will be knowledgeable about the world of work, explore

career options, and relate personal skills, aptitudes, and abilities to

future career decisions.

Standard 2: Integrated Learning

Students will demonstrate how academic knowledge and skills

are applied in the workplace and other settings.

 

English Language Arts

Standard 3: Language for Critical Analysis and Evaluation

Students will listen, speak, read, and write for critical analysis

and evaluation. As listeners and readers, students will analyze

experiences, ideas, information, and issues presented by others

using a variety of established criteria. As speakers and writers,

they will use oral and written language that follows the

accepted conventions of the English language to present, from a

variety of perspectives, their opinions and judgments on

experiences, ideas, information and issues.

Standard 4: Language for Social Interaction

Students will listen, speak, read, and write for social

interaction. Students will use oral and written language that

follows the accepted conventions of the English language for

effective social communication with a wide variety of people. As

readers and listeners, they will use the social communications

of others to enrich their understanding of people and their views.