Give a Beat

03/23/2026

“I can't wait to come back!"

At a recent DJ Academy session, the youngest participant shared that she had learned a lot and was already excited to return.

When young people are connected to positive, creative spaces in their community, they begin to choose how they spend their time differently. DJ Academy creates an outlet where curiosity grows, skills build, and confidence starts to take shape.

By opening doors to music and creative expression, we help young people discover pathways that support their growth and what comes next.

🎧 The DJ Academy is in partnership with County of Los Angeles Department of Parks & Recreation. This photo is for illustrative purposes and may not represent the individual quoted.

03/19/2026

Recently, a staff member shared something simple but powerful: the DJ Academy is their favorite program at the park.

Feedback like this reminds us that the impact of creative programs extends beyond the classroom. When youth, staff, and community partners see the value in creative learning spaces, it strengthens the environment for everyone involved.

Music has a way of bringing people together around something positive.
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🎧 The DJ Academy is in partnership with County of Los Angeles Department of Parks & Recreation

03/16/2026

One of the most meaningful parts of DJ Academy is getting to know students through the music they choose.

Teaching Artist Angela Spiñorita Blanca shared that when she asks about the songs they’re playing, the conversation often opens up in new ways. Music becomes a starting point for connection, helping young people share pieces of their personality, experiences, and taste.

Sometimes the quickest way to build trust is simply asking, “What are you listening to?”
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🎧 DJ Academy in partnership County of Los Angeles Department of Parks & Recreation

03/06/2026

What does Black music history look like inside our Prison Electronic Music Program?

Before participants focus on production or DJ skills, teaching artists introduce the origins and history of Chicago House, Detroit Techno, New York Hip Hop, and Jamaican Dub.

A typical day includes:
• Opening circle and community check in
• Watching archival footage
• Conversations about underground culture and experimentation
• Breakout sessions connecting history to hands-on practice

One participant shared,
💬“House music origins is Black people. That’s awesome!”

Another reflected after watching Dub Echoes:
💬“It’s cool learning about the history, and how they invented new music equipment out of broken ones… Wow, they renewed trash. I love that.”

The learning connects lineage to craft.



📸 by Emily Rifkin

03/04/2026

Recently, we shared about a brother and sister who graduated from our DJ Academy. Today, we want to highlight Matt’s journey. 🎧

Throughout the program, our Teaching Artists witnessed meaningful growth. When his mom came to pick him up one day, he did not want to leave. It was clear how much he loved listening closely and manipulating songs on the decks.

When asked what he got out of the class, Matt shared that it helps his brain relax and calm down. Over time, he became so comfortable that he began dancing to the music he was DJing, fully enjoying the experience in his own way.

For Matt, DJing was more than a skill. It became a space for focus, regulation, and joy.
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📍Franklin D. Roosevelt Park
🎧 DJ Academy in partnership with County of Los Angeles Department of Parks & Recreation

02/24/2026

This brother and sister graduated from the DJ Academy side by side. 🎉

From the very beginning, the older sister encouraged her younger brother to step into the program, choosing DJing over video games and advocating for him to use his time in a constructive way.

She consistently cheered him on, and he stayed committed through graduation. When asked what he gained from the program, he shared that it helped him calm down.

When encouragement at home meets opportunity in the community, young people thrive. These are the moments that show what’s possible when support and access come together.
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📍Franklin D. Roosevelt Park
🎧 DJ Academy in partnership with County of Los Angeles Department of Parks & Recreation

02/23/2026

Black History Month invites us to recognize the artists and communities who shaped the music that inspires our work every day.

Give a Beat was founded by music lovers deeply influenced by the Black innovators who built Chicago House, Detroit Techno, New York Hip Hop, and Jamaican Dub.

These genres were born in communities using music as expression, experimentation, and collective movement. That lineage continues inside our classrooms. Teaching the Black origins of electronic music honors the culture that made this work possible.

02/20/2026

02/19/2026

After a visit to our Prison Electronic Music Program, Guest Artist Zack Fox reflected on the deeper force behind Black electronic music:

💬 “Black electronic music (and black music period) was birthed from that urge to resist oppression, be wildly imaginative, and build counter institutions.”

Inside our classrooms, participants explore the Black roots of house, techno, hip hop, and dub before stepping into production and DJing. Understanding this lineage often sparks a deeper sense of purpose. As participants connect the music to its history of resistance and imagination, many share that it reshapes how they see both the culture and their own creative potential.

Hear more of Zack’s reflection here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-l-cduykam0

On April 9, 2025, artist and cultural voice Zack Fox joined Give a Beat’s Prison Electronic Music Program as a Guest Artist inside California Correctional In...

02/11/2026

Aspiration begins with exposure.

During a recent youth class, participants asked our Teaching Artist, Malachi, thoughtful questions about music production and what it’s like to work as a music professional. As the conversation unfolded, their curiosity deepened into a bigger question: How can we pursue our dreams?

Moments like this highlight the importance of mentorship and representation. When young people have access to professionals who share their knowledge and lived experience, creative pathways become more tangible and attainable. Our youth programs are designed to expand what young people believe is possible for their future and equip them with the confidence to pursue it.

Learn more about our Youth Music Production & DJ programs here: https://giveabeat.org/youth-music-program

02/06/2026

“This class really helps me to decompress… It really brings a lot of joy. Even just talking about it with guys in the yard, they get excited. The best part is it helps us feel like we’re not in here for a little bit. We all really appreciate you coming here.”

Reflections like this show why the Prison Electronic Music Program is essential. When stress is constant and options for coping are limited, music becomes a rare and reliable outlet - one that supports emotional regulation, connection, and hope.

Want to learn more about how this work shows up across our programs? Read our Sound of Resilience impact stories: https://giveabeat.org/impact-stories

The Sound of ResilienceThese are the stories of individuals navigating incarceration, reentry, and personal growth - connected by the power of music. They reflect the heart of Give a Beat’s work and the resilience of those at its center. Give a Beat 12/8/25 Give a Beat 12/8/25 Sky N-D-N The Elder ...

02/04/2026

“Music was always something that I was searching for while I was incarcerated… something that I knew would help me stay stabilized, pick me up when I was down, keep me consistent when I needed to be consistent.”

In this story, Daniel shares how Give a Beat’s Prison Electronic Music Program reconnected him with a passion that became both a source of healing during incarceration and a compass for reentry.

See the full story here: https://youtu.be/EwzyslcRUG0?si=sDY5XLdh_RNwi5Qd