In the modern age of electronics, musicians of any genre need to be on the front edge of innovation and creativity. As people once gathered around pianos and record players, nowadays people gather around laptops and the latest technology. Students will create fresh mixes using their favorite songs from any decade and create their own original music.

Our electronic music lessons will be taught by DJ, composer and audio engineer Nick Neutronz. Nick has been teaching for many years now, and was fortunate to work abroad with US State Department mentoring DJs in Algeria and Tunisia as part of a program called Next Level Hip Hop Exchange, as well as having guided young kids in NYC in their first introductions with production, some as young as first grade!

Nick grew up in the suburbs of NYC, where he had always loved dance, martial arts, the kinetic feel of dance music, and the angsty message of hip-hop. Nick began violin lessons and started collecting tapes, radio sounds, and began making mixes that he performed on his college’s weekend radio show as well as in his town of Fort Collins, Colorado. Upon returning to New York, Nick met Phillip “bangout” Pitts, who schooled him on the science of drum stacking. Much diligence in that area landed him a track on Eminem’s recovery album (Cinderella Man) which won that year’s  Grammy for best rap album.

Learn to DJ on industry standard Pioneer equipment. Build and manage your own music library, DJ workflow, and mixing skills so you are confident in your performance from house parties to clubs and festivals. No previous DJ experience is necessary, just a will to learn about:

• The history, culture, and the art of the DJ

• Equipment Explanation and Overview

• Introduction to Pioneer equipment

• Harmonic Mixing

• Basic Beat Matching • Song Structure

• Cue points and loops

• EQing and FX

• Double time & half time mixing

• Playlist organization

• Building a Set

• Creating a mixtape

Ableton has revolutionized music production, recording and live performance. Whether you are just starting out or an experienced producer, learn about Ableton’s creative and spontaneous approach that will enable you to create productions, perform live, streamline workflow and make writing music creative and fun. This loop-based industry favorite is used by producers and musicians alike for live performances, composing, recording, arranging, mixing and mastering. And now, it can be used by you!

What’s a party without a good DJ? Let’s see if your new tracks make people want to move to the beat! Twice per year, our electronic music students will have the unique opportunity to invite all their friends and family to a lively dance party with their own original music and DJ skills.

The first step of enrollment at Music in Chappaqua is to discuss the individual student’s goals, interest, learning style, experience and availability. This can be in person, by phone, by email, or expressed when you fill out the new student form.

The first lesson is an opportunity for the student to experience one on one interaction with their new teacher. During this lesson, the student will meet their teacher and get a sense of what the lessons entail. The teacher will evaluate the student in order to determine a proper lesson length and create an individualized course of study. These first lessons are subject to the same hourly rates as regularly scheduled lessons.

After the first lesson has been completed and a suitable teacher-student relationship has been established, the student may enroll for regularly scheduled weekly or twice weekly lessons.

30 Minute Private Lesson: $90

45 Minute Private Lesson: $135

60 Minute Private Lesson: $180

Tuition is divided into equal monthly payments.

Annual registration fee: $125 per academic year.

Recital Fee: Music in Chappaqua has multiple recitals throughout the academic year. There is a $50 fee per student, per concert to participate.