Start From Scratch networking event, hosted by Pioneer DJ at Boxpark Wembley

The initiative aims to support underrepresented communities interested in DJing, offering them the chance to learn new skills and progress in their music career.

Alpha Theta brand Pionner DJ, hosted its first Start From Scratch networking event on Sunday 7th August at Boxpark Wembley, London. With over 200 registrations, the event in collaboration with On The Rise DJ Academy, provided attendees with a platform to learn new DJ skills, network and the chance to progress their music careers. The event also showcased DJ sets from four women discovered in the Spring edition of the Start From Scratch workshops.

As the project lead of Pioneer DJ’s Start From Scratch programme it makes me extremely proud to see this project become a reality and such a success. With Pioneer DJ being such a key player in the events and nightlife industry we’re always striving for gender parity, and this is an important way we can drive this agenda. It is essential that brands like ours takes pride and ownership of tackling equality in a fair, efficient and rewarding way, bringing together like-minded people from these communities with a clear focus on DJing and music to help inspire a new generation of talent to help shape and change our industry as we know it, commented Marketing Executive at Pioneer DJ, Will Dinsdale. 

DJ and On the Rise DJ school owner, Terry, commented: “For me, Start From Scratch is essential. To be able to reach out to people who love music and DJ culture but have not felt like they have had the opportunity to be involved is important. I also think representation is very important, so getting the right tutors involved for the workshops has been key. As an organisation, On The Rise has been working this way since its inception - our moto is ‘DJ Lessons for EVERYONE’ - but with the help of Pioneer DJ and Start From Scratch, we have managed to take this to the next level. I am excited for what the future holds. We have already created a strong and supportive community of DJs in and around West London with the SFS workshops, courses and events and that community is going to grow over the coming months and years, with continued support from Start From Scratch”.

Start From Scratch for me is the beginning of a new beautiful adventure, diving into the world of music. I felt I’ve learnt so much from the past few weeks, not only about mixing songs but also about music in general, added Start From Scratch alumni, Hannah.

With plenty of workshop sessions successfully run for women and the LGBTQI+ communities this year, Pioneer DJ will continue with its workshop series for non-white people, as well as deaf and hard of hearing people later in 2022. The programme is also set to continue into 2023. The initiative has attracted great interest so far, with over 200 people attending more than 20 workshops and over 1,000 people registering their interest this year.