DJ AG SPARKS EXCITMENT WITH MUSIC WORKSHOP AT SHEFFIELD PARK ACADEMY
Louise Innocent
/ Categories: News
On Friday 6th March, some excited local students got an amazing experience as DJ AG visited Sheffield Park Academy for a workshop on the music industry – talking them through everything from skill building to making the most of career development opportunities.
Organised in collaboration with WaterBear – The College of Music – and recording studio Cmpound, as part of Sheffield Park Academy’s vibrant careers programme, the visit was a truly memorable one. Students left with a valuable insight into what it takes to develop an interest and proficiency in music into a successful career, as they consider their own possibilities for the future beyond school.
DJ AG is a UK DJ and owner of a community-led music platform known for spotlighting emerging grassroots musical talent through viral live street and venue performances. His work champions access, visibility and real-world opportunities for young independent artists. Beyond the street shows and livestreams, he also performs in care homes, schools and rehabilitation centres, all so he can spread joy through music.
At Sheffield Park Academy, fielding questions from eager students who were all keen to learn from someone with experience in the music industry, DJ AG discussed choices around creative pathways in school and beyond and how different skill sets can best be honed and harnessed. He talked about his own experiences and gave useful advice for now and for when students begin to think about their futures.
In return, students also had the chance to perform and show off their own flourishing musical skills. Performances ranged from spoken word and vocals to instrumental solos – and even a couple of full band numbers – rounding off with a DJ set from one student as a tribute to DJ AG. It was a brilliant testament to the variety of ways music can be expressed and to students’ interests and abilities.
Rob Watson, Principal of Sheffield Park Academy, said:
“Music is such a wonderful form of expression and requires concerted practice, dedication and attention to detail. We are very proud of our talented young musicians and artists at Sheffield Park Academy and it was fantastic to be able to offer them a workshop with an innovative figure from the music industry.
“We are very grateful to DJ AG for making the time for his visit and for being so open and engaging with our students – answering a broad range of questions, hearing their performances and giving them real-world careers insight – and of course to WaterBear College of Music and Cmpound for making this happen.”
Eve Massaad, of WaterBear – The College of Music, said of the visit:
"There is an extraordinary amount of young talent at Sheffield Academy, and we are so thankful to the school for opening their doors to us. Opportunities like this give students the chance to grow, share their music, and have it heard.
“Talent thrives when it is nurtured and supported, and working with DJ AG felt like a natural way to make that happen. He has spent years creating spaces for artists to step forward and bringing that energy into the classroom allows students to learn, ask questions, perform, and see what is possible for their own creative journeys. We are proud to be part of giving the next generation of musicians the inspiration, guidance, and confidence to follow their passions."