MixAcademy
Music Production
and DJ Education
ModusDJ
Event DJ Services
MixAcademy
Music Production and
DJ Education
Private
Parties
Corporate Events
Weddings
Start your journey. Refine your skills.
MixAcademy offers DJ and music production training for all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned artists looking to refine their craft. Led by industry veteran Aaron Siegner, these sessions focus on technique, transitions, and the details that elevate your sound. We offer: 10 week courses, private lessons, and PD day camps for teens in junior and high school.
Our Courses and Lessons
01
DJ Courses
We offer small group DJ classes in a professional setting with industry-standard gear from Pioneer DJ / Alpha Theta. Our courses run during four 10 week terms. From beginner to advanced, we'll help you build a sustainable DJ career or refine your skills to help you stand out from the rest.
02
Production Courses
We offer small group music production classes using Ableton Live DAW software and the latest Mac hardware. Our four levels of 10 week courses can take you from absolute beginner to release-ready producer, or help you polish your skills if you've already begun your musical journey.
DJ Courses
Duration:
10 weeks – 1 class/week – 60 minutes per class
Total Instruction Time: 10 hours
No prerequisites required
Cost:
$797
Required Materials:
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Wired headphones
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Mix Academy Practice Vinyl two record package (available to students at cost)
Course Description:
This is our beginner-level DJ course. No prior experience is required. This course is taught entirely with vinyl records so that students will have a strong foundation upon which to build their skills in the digital realm. Emphasis is placed on listening skills, manual control, technical fundamentals, and musicality. This course serves as a prerequisite for all intermediate DJ courses.
Culminating Projects:
Students will perform short "mini-sets" to open the graduation performance event in a club setting.
What you will learn:
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DJ equipment overview (turntables, mixer, headphones)
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Record handling and cueing techniques
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Beatmatching by ear
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Intro to EQ and fader control
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Counting bars and understanding phrasing
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Basic scratching (baby scratch, release)
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How to build and prepare a simple DJ set
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Genres overview
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What you will learn:
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Intermediate beatmatching with and without visual aids
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Phrase matching and track structure analysis
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Intermediate scratches 1 (scribbles and stabs)
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Digital DJing basics using Serato DJ Pro
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Setting cue points and using loops
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Intro to FX and filter use
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Building digital crates and playlists
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Programming warm-up sets
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Intro to DJ controllers
Course Description:
Intermediate 1 introduces digital DJing concepts while reinforcing core vinyl techniques. The course uses Serato DJ Pro in combination with turntables, allowing students to build hybrid skills. Focus is on clean transitions, phrasing, and crate-building.
Culminating Project:
Students will perform short "mini-sets" during hour 2 of the graduation performance event in a club setting.
Duration:
10 weeks – 1 class/week – 90 minutes per class
Total Instruction Time: 15 hours
Prerequisite: Completion of Foundations or instructor approval
Cost:
$1497
Required Materials:
-
Laptop with Serato DJ Pro installed (free to download)
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Same materials from Beginner
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What you will learn:
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Advanced beatmatching techniques
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Layering tracks with loops and cue juggling
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Creative FX combinations
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Intermediate scratching 2 (chirps, transforms)
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Planning and executing a 4+ hour set
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Crate and library organization strategies
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Basic tone play
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Drop mixing
Course Description:
Intermediate 2 focuses entirely on digital DJing with Serato DJ Pro and introduces more advanced techniques. Emphasis is placed on set programming, effects use, and improving control and creativity.
Culminating Project
Students will perform short "mini-sets" during peak hour of the graduation performance event in a club setting.
Duration:
10 weeks – 1 class/week – 90 minutes per class
Total Instruction Time: 15 hours
Prerequisite: Completion of Intermediate 1
Cost:
$1497
Required Materials:
-
Laptop with Serato DJ Pro installed (free to download)
-
Same materials from Intermediate 1
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What you will learn:
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Rekordbox prep and USB playlisting
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Performing on CDJ style standalone setups
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Manual looping and basic beat juggling on vinyl
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Advanced scratching techniques (flare, crab)
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Using stems, acapellas and DJ tools in live sets
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Cross-platform library prep (Serato & Rekordbox)
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Final set planning and rehearsal
Course Description:
The focus of our Advanced DJ course is on mastery of equipment, creative techniques, and confident performance. Students will also incorporate CDJ style controllers and USB-based sets using Rekordbox, preparing them for club or event gigs.
Culminating Project:
Students will perform short "mini-sets" during the final hour of the graduation performance event in a club setting.
Duration:
10 weeks – 1 class/week – 90 minutes per class
Total Instruction Time: 15 hours
Prerequisite: Completion of Intermediate 1
Cost:
$1797
Required Materials:
-
Laptop with Rekordbox installed (free to download)
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Same materials from Intermediate 2
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Production Courses
Beginner Level
Duration: 10 weeks – 1 class/week – 60 minutes per class
Total Instruction Time: 10 hours
No prerequisites required
Cost:
$797
Required Materials:
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All materials provided during lessons.
Course Description:
This is our beginner-level electronic music production course. No prior experience is necessary. In this course, students will develop a strong foundation in the tools, techniques, and workflows essential to composing and producing electronic music using a digital audio workstation (DAW). This course is taught using Ableton Live Intro.
Culminating Project:
Students will create a short (2-3 minute) original song that will be shared at an end-of term listening event.
What you will learn:
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DAW fundamentals (navigating Ableton Live)
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MIDI vs. audio: understanding the difference
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Basic music theory
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Step sequencing with drum racks
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Using samples and loops effectively
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Building basslines and melodies
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Loop-based composition
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Basic song structure
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Introduction to EQ and mixing levels
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Exporting your work for playback and sharing
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* Intermediate 2 will begin being offered in our winter term.
What you will learn:
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Drum programming with swing and groove
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Chopping and editing samples
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Building custom instrument racks
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Synthesizing leads and pads
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Applying audio effects (EQ, reverb, delay)
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Automation for dynamics and movement
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Creating transitions (build-ups, breakdowns)
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Intro to mixing workflows and gain staging
Course Description:
Intermediate 1 builds on the core concepts developed in our Beginner course. Students will learn intermediate production techniques and begin constructing more dynamic, fully arranged tracks. Emphasis will be placed on song structure, groove, and sound design fundamentals.
Culminating Project:
Students will create and mix a short (2-3 minute) original song that will be shared at an end-of term listening event.
Intermediate Level 1
Duration: 10 weeks – 1 class/week – 90 minutes per class
Total Instruction Time: 15 hours
Prerequisite: Completion of Beginner or instructor approval
Cost:
$1497
Required Materials:
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Home access to a computer capable of running Ableton Live 12
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* Intermediate 2 will begin being offered in our winter term.
What you will learn:
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Advanced sampling and resampling workflows
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Intermediate sound design
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Layering drums, bass, and melodic elements
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Creative use of automation and FX chains
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Sidechain compression and dynamics
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Track referencing and comparative listening
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Using return tracks and buses in a mix
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Refining transitions and build energy
Course Description:
Intermediate 2 focuses on refining production skills, expanding creative techniques, and enhancing technical control. Students will experiment with advanced arrangement, automation, and mixing strategies to produce original, polished tracks.
Culminating Project:
Students will create, mix and master a short (2-3 minute) original song that will be shared at an end-of term listening event.
Intermediate Level 2
Duration: 10 weeks – 1 class/week – 90 minutes per class
Total Instruction Time: 15 hours
Prerequisite: Completion of Intermediate 1
Cost:
$1497
Required Materials:
-
Same materials from Intermediate 1
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What you will learn:
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Finishing techniques for composition and arrangement
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Layering and subtractive editing for clarity
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Creative use of FX and automation for interest
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Advanced mixing strategies
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Intro to mastering for digital release and club play
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Session organization and file management
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Strategies for revisions and polishing
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Exploring live performance possibilities in Ableton
Course Description:
This is our advanced electronic music production course. The focus of this course is on project completion, workflow mastery, and creative refinement. Students will work on finishing a release-ready track or mini-EP with instructor support.
Culminating Project:
Students will create, mix and master a short (2-3 minute) original song that will be shared at an end-of term listening event. They will also prepare the track for release on streaming platforms. (Release is optional).
Advanced Level
Duration: 10 weeks – 1 class/week – 90 minutes per class
Total Instruction Time: 15 hours
Prerequisite: Completion of Intermediate 2
Cost:
$1797
Required Materials:
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Same materials from Intermediate 2
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Why MixAcademy?
01
Tailored Instruction
We meet you at your skill level and design lessons to target the right outcomes. Using proven techniques and workflows, we help you build the skills to reach the next level.
02
Hands-on Training
We don’t just show you what to do—we give you hands-on experience. With professional, industry-standard gear, we teach best practices to help you develop confidence and refine your craft.
03
Direct Feedback
Our small class sizes ensure personalized instruction. One-on-one and small-group sessions provide meaningful feedback to fine-tune your production and sharpen your execution.
What You'll Achieve.
01
Solid Foundations
Master seamless transitions and advanced mixing techniques.
02
Level up Your Sound
Develop a polished, professional sound you'll be proud to share with your fans.
03
Pro Tips and Secrets
Insights from an industry expert with decades of experience in DJing and production.