Groove School run DJ Workshops and Music Technology Workshops at The Stables Workshop Space, part of the London home of Music4Children.

The workshops involve playing and listening to records and learning basic dj skills. Using record decks, DJ mixers and computers. Learning how to set-up, cue, fade, place a mix, put a set together and beatmatch; EQ, add Fx and an introduction to scratching. Incorporating multi-media programs and controllers to record and create sounds; loops, tracks and mixes.

Play, hear, enjoy, appreciate, listen, identify, create, communicate.

Musical appreciation and exploration is a great vehicle for communication and personal growth. It embraces all cultures past and present and forms the foundation of storytelling. By identifying and processing sounds, the listener explores tempo, artistry, style, timing and rhythm in a way that offers an emotional window into shared experience and memory construction. Groove School is more than a forum for acquiring DJ and music technology skills; it’s a structured means to articulate something that lies deep within each and every one of us.

Culture and positive cultural expression is the foundation of identity and pride for all of us. But culture isn’t simple, and one size doesn’t fit all. It’s very personal, particularly to individuals, groups, tribes, neighbourhoods and region. The importance of culture to the lives of it’s people is far-sighted and can provide inspiration to us all. ~Jude Kelly