Bootcamp

Do you ever look at the headlining DJ and think "I want to be on that stage"? Or go to a show and think that you can do muuuuch better?

While you can try booking your own shows at a local bar or cold calling promoters, this bootcamp accelerates your DJ career way faster with experience on industry standard CDJ-3000s and professional media coverage to build your portfolio.

The program has 5 in-person weekly classes (3 hours each), and there will also be online support during the week. You'll also have access to the JSTDRMN Community, full of other talented producers based in Toronto! To maintain a high quality of education, our bootcamps are limited to 6 students per cohort.

At the end of this bootcamp, you will be booked for a JSTDRMN Showcase, where you can debut your artist project to hundreds of fans, collaborators, and industry professionals. And this is just the beginning - our past bootcampers have gone on to book opening acts for international touring artists and start their own events series!

Session 1: Intro to the DJ Booth and Track Sourcing

The session focuses on the essential components and configuration of a professional DJ booth, providing practical guidance on operating decks (CDJs) and mixers, mastering the crossfader for dynamic transitions, and effectively using headphones for seamless blending. We will explore various setup options, including All-in-One Controllers and Modular Setups. A crucial segment is dedicated to developing your musical identity by learning where and how to source fresh tracks. This includes insights into preferred platforms and a hands-on "Hidden Gems Recordbag" exercise, where you will curate a playlist of unique, low-play-count tracks to sharpen your ear and set list originality.

Session 2: Advanced Mix Techniques and Live FX

This session focuses on integrating dynamic Mix Techniques and Effects (FX) to elevate the complexity and excitement of DJ sets. You will learn the fundamental principles and practical application of filters (high-pass/low-pass) to create atmospheric depth and enhance transitions, followed by mastering Delay and Reverb to add rhythm, movement, and spatial ambiance to tracks. The session then moves into advanced manipulation tools, specifically practicing the creative use of Loops to build intensity, sustain energy, and create on-the-fly groove additions, and the strategic deployment of Hot Cues for dynamic transitions, unexpected jumps, and live remixing. Crucially, we equip you with invaluable troubleshooting and mix-saving strategies, featuring exercises on how to correct beat-matching errors, smoothly transition out of failing mixes, and quickly recover from unexpected technical glitches during a live performance.

Session 3: Mastering Foundational Mixing Tools

This session is dedicated to mastering the core, non-FX tools used for seamless transitions, starting with intensive training on Beat Matching. We will focus solely on auditory synchronization, using pitch controls to align BPMs without visual aids, with exercises progressively building from 15 seconds to a full minute of sustained synchronization. Then we shift to dynamic volume control, emphasizing volume-only mixing as the primary technique for creating fluid transitions and manipulating a set's emotional intensity. Finally, we will perform focused exercises on the Crossfader to execute smooth and rapid transitions while restricted from using any other effects or EQ, before being introduced to the fundamental principles of using EQ (Low, Mid, High) to blend frequencies, correct imbalances, and carve out sonic space for a polished mix.

Session 4: Set Structure, Audience Reading, and Performance Planning

This session focuses on translating technical skills into compelling live performance through expert set building and audience engagement. You will learn critical strategies for reading the crowd and adapting a set's tempo, energy, and mood in real-time. The core lesson delves into structuring a DJ set based on assigned time slots (Warm-up, Mid-slot, Peak Time, and Closing), with practical exercises requiring the creation of specific mixes for each context. Furthermore, the session covers the importance of crafting an effective DJ Intro to immediately engage the audience and sets out a framework for categorizing track types and roles within a curated setlist. The session ends in the planning of a 30 min set, encouraging you to synthesize all learned techniques—from transitions to FX—while prioritizing flow and adaptability over merely showcasing technical skill.

"I've always thought about trying out DJing

in the past. I've downloaded free software

and done my own personal mixes.

So, when I heard about this bootcamp,

I thought this was a good opportunity

to put some structure to what I was doing

so that I could learn from professionals.

Not just by Googling."

DJ 9 To 5
"I've always been interested in electronic music

shows growing up and I just figured why

not try getting behind the decks?

I've always wanted to pursue

something creatively,

and I felt like this was most aligned.

I came across Just Dreaming's bootcamp,

so I decided to apply.

I think before the bootcamp started,

I was nervous around my little Flex 4,

and after coming here and being exposed

to the CDJ 3000s, I feel less intimidated

and very comfortable."

JADED CHRISTINA
"I've always really enjoyed electronic music.

When I was really young, I was inspired

to want to DJ.

It's hard to pursue on your own online.

It can be really hard to follow

the online tutorials.

So I just thought why not give it a shot?

I can afford the bootcamp if I got it.

I felt why not just take that chance

and see if I get the chance to follow

that passion to try to DJ for the first time.

I think overall, it was pretty well structured.

I got a lot of value out of the class."

Z3RØDAY
"I've always been really passionate about music

and Hardstyle, and what I wanted to do was

learn how to DJ

and to really just spread Hardstyle

to the local scene.

I found out about the bootcamp on Instagram.

I thought it was a great opportunity

for me to learn how to DJ

and learn how to spin Hardstyle."

KANTALOUPE
"Learned the skills. Found the most

supportive community a new DJ could

ask for. JSTDRMN helped me create an

unforgettable debut and opened the

door to endless opportunities!"

PAPRIKA
"Joining JSTDRMN's DJ Bootcamp was

one of the best decisions I've made in

my musical journey. The mentorship

from real DJs who genuinely cared

about our growth was incredible,

and being surrounded by such a

supportive, and motivating

community made the learning

environment truly inspiring.

Everything building up to playing

at my first show alongside my

fellow boot campers is truly an

experience I will never forget.

If you're serious about DJing

and want a community that

lifts you up, this is the perfect

place to start."

KUYA
"Going from zero to performing in

front of 500 people was intense

— but in the best way. I’m so grateful

to have met everyone in the

JSTDRMN collective — I came in

as a student and left with a family."

BRB
"I was honestly hesitant to join this

bootcamp at first, mainly because

there were plenty of free resources

online. But now I can confidently say

it was one of the best choices I've

ever made. From day one I was

using club-standard gear, being

taught in person by experienced

DJs, and being surrounded by

people who actually want to see

you grow. The connections I made

were amazing, and the fact we got

the opportunity to show what we

learned in front of hundreds of people

is unreal. If you're serious about DJing

and want to have a huge initial boost,

this bootcamp is 100% worth it."

FIZE
"One of the most transformative

experiences of my creative

journey. The instructors are not

just experts in their field; they

are passionate mentors who

invest in your growth, providing

invaluable feedback and

guidance every step of the way.

I’m incredibly grateful for

everything I've learned and the

confidence I’ve gained in

my creative abilities."

SHEF JEFF
"In less than 2 months, I went

from "what do DJs even do?"

to performing live

in front of 400 people!

Joining the JSTDRMN DJ

bootcamp was one of the best

decisions I made because not

only did I learn a new musical

skill, but also joined a community

of welcoming and talented

artists."

SANDY SEA
"This bootcamp gave me a solid

foundation to start DJ'ing. All the

fundamentals were covered at a

level that allowed me to grasp the

concepts without feeling

overwhelmed. In short, it’s one of

the most enjoyable classes

I’ve ever taken!"

ALI KHANN
"Best DJing course you could take

getting into DJing as a hobby

or even want to take a step

further!! :))"

DJ HYUUJEEN