DJ school looks to inspire local students
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – A music school teaching students the art of being a disc jockey in Indianapolis hopes to go beyond the classroom.
Deckademics is partnering up with one school in the city to give students an option to explore their musical talents.
Located near the Broad Ripple neighborhood, Deckademics opened last year and since then has taught more than 400 students across the city how to DJ.
Some people are calling Deckademics DJ School the first and only DJ school in the city.
“Deejaying has really kind of transform(ed). Kids are picking up fewer guitars and taking fewer piano lessons these days and gravitating towards technology,” said Nick Saligoe, owner and lead instructor of Deckademics.
Nick Saligoe has been a professional DJ for over 10 years. He says the idea for the school started after he graduated from college when he was working on a program over at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center. He was teaching kids about the elements of hip hop through music, poetry and break dancing.
“We had the funds to buy some DJ equipment and we talked to the kids for three to two and a half years. At that point I just thought it would be really great to have my own space and operate it as a full time thing as opposed to once a week,” said Saligoe.
Now that he has his own space, Saligoe is thinking about picking up the turntables and taking it mobile to public schools and community centers across town.
“Obviously kids are going to find things to do naturally,” said Saligoe. “We as parents and mentors want them to find positive things to do.”
On March 11 the DJ school will set up at Manual High School for an after school program.
“We have a lot of young students in the area. We just want to be able to give them something they can build and eventually become something maybe passionate that they’ll grow into,” said Saligoe.
The free program will give up to 10 students the opportunity to explore the basis and fundamentals of deejaying. Saligoe says he’s hoping that other schools will see the value and jump on board.
“I’m in love with the culture of deejaying and art of deejaying and I want to allow that to progress,” said Saligoe. “If you don’t teach the next generation of future DJs that won’t happen.”
Saligoe said Deckademics is talking with other schools about the after school program, but so far nothing is set in stone yet.
Click here for more information about classes and how to sign up.