The Award Winning With These Hands offers young people a fresh approach to learning and life skills through creative arts and music technology. Our program provides underserved youth with conflict resolution education, cultural awareness, academic accountability and service projects through regular program meetings and corporate as well as community partnerships. We also foster exposure to the entertainment business by providing our students with educational, experiential and entrepreneurial opportunities in the industry.
The Art of DJing
DJ 001: Course on the fundamental history, principles, theories and methods involved in enhancing and modifying music. This course is conducted by expert disc jockeys and includes discussion and hands-on training in djing skills and techniques.
DJ 002: This intermediate course builds on the fundamentals learned in DJ 001 and is designed to take those learned skills to a more intermediate and professional level. There will be increased focus on beat mixing, scratching, adding effects and sampling.
DJ 003: Students are expected to have sufficient beat mixing skills and practice prior to taking this course. Students will explore the relationship between music and film, lighting and set structure. Additional scratching and turntable techniques will be practiced during class as well as increased exposure to professional djing.
Student Internship
Students get the chance to become an entrepreneur and find out what it takes to run a successful business or organization. Our interns are taught strategic business planning, marketing, operations, sound engineering, and client management. Upon completion, students will have the necessary experience to grow their own DJ service and gain skills needed for future educational or professional endeavors.
More Than Just A DJ Conflict Resolution
Each student is required to participate in our Conflict Resolution course. This course teaches students to isolate problems, take personal responsibility for their actions and negotiate win/win solutions. We emphasis tolerance and respect for others. Students learn the importance of listening, tone of voice, the use of neutral body language and words. We believe it is especially important that students gain skills needed to overcome frustrating and stressful situations so that they may find success and peace in school, in the community, in the workplace and in their personal lives.
Leadership & Career Planning
With These Hands provides ongoing leadership development and career readiness. Each semester students are introduced to professionals in the entertainment industry, professional athletes, community leaders and other businessmen and women. They are exposed to working relationships that equip them with tools needed to be successful entrepreneurs and future professionals.
Student Showcases & Live Event Training
With These Hands provides numerous opportunities for our students to further enhance their skills and performance as disc jockeys and gain valuable experience working with industry professionals. These events are presided over by one or more expert DJs and are held throughout the year.
Community Outreach
Students enrolled in With These Hands are required to participate in community outreach projects throughout the year including, serving children in foster care through the Giving Tree Project, hosting We Are The Champions and other service projects. Students are also encouraged to give back by serving in their own homes, in their schools, places of worship and local communities.
Spinning dreams into reality...One beat at a time!
