‘I think I learned quite a bit’: Halifax DJ academy helps students find the beat

A Halifax DJ has traded late nights for the classroom.

Mix Academy DJ and music production school in Halifax offers classes to teens and adults under its founder, Aaron Siegner, a public school teacher with 15 years experience.

“We teach new, aspiring DJs how to DJ properly, how to DJ in a way that’s sustainable, how to learn fundamentals that will basically last them a lifetime,” says Siegner, who goes by the stage name, DJ Double A.

“We also do more intermediate and advanced courses for people who’ve already been DJing for a little while and maybe want to sort of level up their game.”

The academy also teaches music production and software applications focused on electronic dance music and related genres, said Siegner.

The Mix Academy is the only school of its kind in Halifax but Siegner says DJ culture has been around for a long time and it’s getting more popular.

“It’s become more accessible to people,” he says. “The barriers to entry aren’t what they used to be. It’s a lot easier to get started.”

This means more people take up DJing as a hobby, instead of looking to be a professional, says Siegner.

“It can be something that’s just really fun and enjoyable in your life,” he says.

Students have wide ranges of musical experience. Maral Porretta said the most musical thing she knew how to do was curate her Spotify playlists when she started at the academy.

“I really learned music keys, genres,” she said. “What is an open format DJ? How do you put a set together? How do you scratch, baby scratch? I think I learned quite a bit.”

The only thing it takes is the desire to learn to DJ and some basic equipment, says Siegner.

“Probably the very fist thing you’re going to need is either records or a laptop.”

Some of the more specialized equipment can get expensive, but Siegner says there are reasonably-priced, entry-level options.

With files by Jim Kvammen

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