Last year, our Youth Services team ran a pilot program, DJ Skills, designed to enable a safe, inclusive and welcoming space for girls and gender-diverse young people to learn DJ skills and all about the world of music from a female perspective.

DJ Skills is run in partnership with Vinyl Vixens, a female and gender-diverse Melbourne DJ collective, and Store DJ. The program is part of our Victorian State Government funded FReeZA program.

The program was a huge success and this year has become an ongoing program at Yarra Youth Centre's Rising High studios, thanks to Victorian State Government Engage! funding.

Many of last year’s graduates have played at a range of events including the Fitzroy Summer Festival and various International Women’s Day events across Yarra last week. The graduates have lots of upcoming opportunities to play at community events and local venues.

Through Vinyl Vixens, many of Melbourne’s best female and transgender DJs have delivered guest lectures and demonstrated their tips and tricks behind the decks to the young people in the program. DJ Skills' current guest facilitator is Lask (Soundcloud, Facebook, Instagram), a rising star in the Melbourne music scene.

DJ Skills runs every Wednesday, 4pm – 6pm, at Yarra Youth Centre, 156 Napier Street, Fitzroy.

There are a few spaces still available if you would like to join. If you are interested in getting involved contact Gabrielle Nolan (Youth Development Officer) on email or call 9426 1455.

Check out DJ Skills on Facebook.