Real DJs: Real Journeys, Real Success
Discover the stories of many of our Student DJs who all turned their dreams and aspirations into real accomplishments at Mischemix Academy.
See where they started, their challenges, what Academy Training did for them.
Starting Out: Skills and Confidence to Play, Record, Go- LIVE, Perform and Get Paid!
BRADLEY AKA DJ Jonesy joined us with a passion for dance music and a strong desire to learn ‘everything’ about DJing. Born with Cerebral Palsy, Bradley is supported by a walking frame and has mastered advanced techniques using only one hand!
Getting started: After a couple of sessions experimenting with various setups, he settled on Serato DJ Pro and a Numark Mixtrack Platinum controller for practice at home. Initially mixing dance and house music, Bradley expanded into remixes and mashups from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, which brought new energy to his live sets and enabled him to grow his audience.
Working with Michelle has enabled Bradley to transition from an absolute beginner to charting on Mixcloud to performing weekly live-streams. By upgrading his setup to Rekordbox software and a Pioneer XDJ-RX3 all-in-one standalone Media Player, Bradley is now able to prepare his warm-up DJ set in clubs and secured club event openings.
Despite his physical and neurological challenges, Bradley performs weekly where his audience is growing by the week online. His dedication and passion for music together with Michelle’s support and guidance have driven him from an absolute beginner to a confident, accomplished DJ. Follow DJ Jonesy on Mixcloud
Taking the Next Step: From HOBBY to Getting Paid!
Jamie reached out with a desire to progress beyond the beginner level. Struggling to learn on his own, he sought structured support to build his skills, with the ultimate dream of gaining the confidence to DJ at parties and weddings.
Jamie faced several challenges, including understanding how to mix tracks effectively, he lacked confidence using his equipment properly and was inconsistent in his mixing. Unaware how the music he was using to practice was only making it harder for him. He needed help with tempo, phrasing, and mastering the jog wheels, sourcing the right music for practice and structuring his playlists. Organising his equipment, developing his skills and expanding his music library were key focus areas.
Bringing his Numark Mixtrack Pro II Controller and Serato DJ Lite to his first session, Jamie started to feel more confident about the foundations of his journey and organisational aspects of DJing. Michelle helped him to set the stage for more effective practice sessions. Where after a few weeks, Jamie purchased a Numark Mixtrack Platinum Controller and gradually built his confidence in mixing in session.
Jamie has particularly enjoyed the hands-on elements of the sessions, such as beat matching and organising his gear. Michelle’s patient guidance has helped him to refine techniques including volume control, EQ adjustments, music programming and understanding song structure. Her 1:1 support gave him the confidence to try new things and provided personalised feedback that helped him correct common mistakes and achieve consistency in his mixing and performance.
Jamie’s progress has been significant. With the success of his first party after a few short months, performing live has boosted his confidence and solidified his skills. Having continually invested in his training he has gained a clearer understanding of the steps needed to pursue DJing more seriously and felt more prepared to take on paid opportunities. With the transferrable skills he has learned with Michelle, he has been able to secure his own work and already completed a handful of engagements.
Jamie’s journey with Mischemix Academy highlights the importance of personalised guidance and support, consistent practice and a willingness to explore new techniques. From a struggling beginner, he is growing into a confident DJ ready and looking to seize more opportunities. Jamie achieved his dream of DJing at a party and wedding within his first year of training, Jamie values Michelle’s patience, knowledge, and encouragement, and he is excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.
Ashley joined the Academy with a huge passion for DJing and at the time was learning to mix on a Numark N4 Controller. His goal was to take his DJing skills from his home setup to live performances. Despite gaining basic mixing skills from YouTube videos, Ashley felt something was missing. He needed a deeper understanding of music and guidance on transitioning from bedroom DJing to performing in real-world settings.
After connecting with Michelle, Ashley focused on refining his mixing skills and building confidence. Michelle’s patient and knowledgeable teaching style helped him understand the art of mixing and different types of DJ equipment. They worked together through practical sessions and repeated practice to develop his skills.
With Michelle’s guidance, Ashley progressed from online radio to live performances, securing residencies at venues such as Coco Lounge Bar Sheffield, The Furnace, Hull Cheese, and Monk Bar. His confidence grew, leading him to organise his own successful day festival, Ibiza Fest 2021, and become a resident DJ at Bulan Nightclub in Matlock.
Performing live at venues all across the UK, Ashleyhas been steadily growing his reputation in the DJ community. As a seasoned professional, he’s returned to the Academy with a new role as one of our go-to Club Professors—where he’s inspiring the next generation of DJs by offering them their first taste of the vibrant world of Bars and Clubs. His journey has caught the attention of many, leading to interviews that highlight his impressive progress and dedication to his craft. Ashley’s story is a testament to what passion and perseverance can achieve.
Ashley’s journey proves that with the right support and determination, you can transform a simple home setup into a springboard for professional performances. Michelle’s expert guidance was pivotal in helping him reach his goals, boosting his confidence to perform live and even organize his own events. Ashley’s story is a shining example of turning passion into a thriving career, and it also shows that once you’ve achieved your goals, you might feel inspired to return and help guide the next generation of DJs too.
Esme began her DJ journey at just 8 years old, with the goal of DJing at her own birthday party. She had only one day to prepare and was eager to impress her friends and family. With her biggest challenge to learn as much as possible in two hours so she could perform confidently at her party the following day. With little time to prepare, she needed to quickly grasp the basics and feel comfortable using professional DJ equipment.
In her initial session, Esme was introduced to the fundamentals of DJing, learning to use professional CD players, DJ mixers, and engage with her audience on the microphone. Despite her young age, she quickly picked up both basic and advanced techniques. Over the following months, Esme continued to practice on a Denon 4500F CD Player, steadily building her skills and confidence.
Esme’s hard work paid off when in just 24 hours she successfully DJed her birthday party, impressing her friends and family with a fun and engaging set. With her performance catching the attention of her school headteacher, by age 10, Esme had become resident DJ for her school, DJing at more parties and by the age of 12 had progressed to a local businessman’s house party where she was paid £500. Mastering digital software like Rekordbox, allowed her to perform on industry-standard equipment where she began to share the stage with professional DJs.
With the DJ and event management skills she acquired as a child, Esme now has the ability to DJ whenever she chooses as a young adult. She makes occasional guest appearances, performing for private clients, local bars, and schools. While pursuing her passion to become a doctor, Esme continues to earn money and enjoy DJing on her terms.
Esme’s DJ journey demonstrates that age is no barrier to pursuing your passion. With the right support and determination, even the youngest aspiring DJs can achieve their dreams, shine in front of an audience, and earn money doing what they love.
Melissa AKA Melly D, 39. Melissa’s initial goal was to learn to mix, create and perform a DJ set for her wedding rave. While Melissa had a clear vision for her set and some equipment, she needed expert guidance on how to execute seamless transitions and perform on industry-standard gear that she planned to hire for the big day.
Melissa turned to Michelle for help in bringing her DJing ideas to life. In just ten fortnightly sessions, Michelle provided the support and instruction Melissa needed, making the learning process both enjoyable and effective. Together, they worked on refining her mixing skills, ensuring Melissa felt confident using both her own equipment and the professional gear she would be using at her wedding. Michelle’s supportive and patient approach allowed Melissa to explore the DJ world at her own pace, making each session both fun and productive.
Melissa’s hard work and dedication paid off when she nailed her first performance, delivering a set that was not only technically impressive but also deeply enjoyable for her and her audience. The success of her wedding rave set inspired Melissa to take her passion for DJing to the next level, evolving from a personal project to a professional pursuit.
Today, Melissa, known as Melly D, is a multi-genre DJ from Sheffield with a strong passion for 90s music. She is the founder of G.SPOT and regularly performs across a wide range of genres, including House, Techno, Electronica, Tech House, Breaks, UK Bass, Disco, and Drum and Bass. Melissa has also taken on a mentorship role, guiding and inspiring other female DJs as they begin their own careers in the club scene.
What began as a personal goal for her wedding quickly evolved into a professional DJ career with the right guidance and enthusiasm. Melissa’s journey highlights the transformative power of dedication and the impact that expert support can have in turning a passion into a thriving career.
Follow Melly D on Mixcloud or Soundcloud
James AKA DJ Jaycee, 23. As the manager of a nightclub, James had a burning ambition to transition from behind the scenes to the spotlight, aiming to DJ professionally and perform live in the club he co-managed.
Despite having access to DJ opportunities, James lacked the technical skills, performance abilities, and real-world experience needed to officially break into the professional scene. Determined to succeed, he immersed himself in the world of professional DJing, exploring various setups before settling on a Pioneer DDJ-1000 Controller and Rekordbox Software. He quickly mastered the basics and pushed himself to tackle more advanced techniques. With Michelle’s expert guidance and honest feedback, James refined his DJ sets for live venues, boosting his confidence along the way.
James’s dedication and hard work paid off—within just four months, he was showcasing his abilities at his own club, live-streaming his sets, and expanding his reach by performing at other clubs. This exposure and experience culminated in a breakthrough moment when he was spotted by a promoter during one of his performances, leading to a coveted role as Clubland’s Warm-up DJ in the North of England. James became our fastest student to achieve this milestone.
Since joining Mischemix Academy, James has remained a key figure in the club scene while training and qualifying as a pilot. His consistent effort has set him on a steady path to building a professional DJing career. He has secured opportunities both in the UK and internationally, steadily advancing his career. As our first-ever go-to Club Professor, James also spends time with new DJs, bringing industry-standard club gear to their lessons and offering them a taste of what they can achieve in the dynamic world of UK and international clubs.
James’s journey demonstrates that with clear goals and the right training, you can turn your DJing passion into the career of your dreams using your own controller or Mischemix Academy’s CDJs or digital setups. James found his lessons with Michelle to be both enjoyable and transformative. His story is a testament to the power of dedication and the doors that open with expert guidance and relentless drive.
Follow DJ Jaycee on: Mixcloud and YouTube
Ian: A Later-Life DJ in His Fifties joined us after only a few months of performing as a Mobile DJ at local venues and private events. Eager to elevate his skills, he sought Michelle’s expertise to master his new DJ controller and learn the art of mixing videos in a club-style setting.
Recommended by Chris from Full-Volume, Michelle’s deep understanding of both digital and analogue technologies made her the perfect mentor. Over the course of a few months, Ian’s transformation was remarkable. He not only mastered new technology but also experimented with various song versions—Radio Edits, Extended, Remixes, and Transition tracks—exploring a wide range of tempo shifts.
Under Michelle’s guidance, Ian refined his techniques and transitioned from Virtual DJ Pro to Rekordbox Video, adding layers of creativity to his performances. His hard work quickly paid off, with live sets that consistently impressed audiences and earned rave reviews. Ian’s confidence soared as he seamlessly integrated studio learning into his live performances, making his sets more dynamic and engaging.
Ian is DJing weekly at various residencies around South Yorkshire with renewed confidence and creativity. He collaborates with Mischemix every month, continuously exploring new styles and honing his performance. His journey is a testament to the idea that it’s never too late to start, grow, or improve. Ian highly recommends Michelle for her direction and advice, which have been instrumental in his success.
Amelia Amelia AKA DJ Watson joined us aged 11, excited to learn DJing so she could perform at her Dad’s upcoming 50th Birthday. After exploring different setups during the first couple of sessions, Amelia settled on Serato DJ Lite and a Numark Partymix DJ Controller, which she purchased to practice at home.
Over the course of thirteen fortnightly sessions, Amelia learned how to mix tracks and use a microphone professionally. Michelle helped her craft a performance, and through practical skills and repetition, Amelia gained the confidence to perform in front of an audience. Her enthusiasm and dedication allowed her to progress steadily, becoming more comfortable and confident with each session.
With Michelle’s guidance, Amelia confidently performed at her Dad’s birthday party, sharing the stage with pop legend Paloma Faith and Radio One DJ Trevor Nelson. The success of her performance led to an invitation to DJ at her year 6 leavers’ party, and she later went on to livestream DJ sets from home.
Amelia’s journey shows that with the right support, dedication, and willingness to learn, young DJs can quickly achieve their goals and grow into confident performers. Amelia highly recommends Michelle as a teacher.
Luis, 9. Luis’s goal was simple: to learn to DJ. From day one, his enthusiasm was evident, and he quickly settled on using Virtual DJ and a Numark Partymix Controller. With dedication and practice, Luis not only mastered the basics but also took the initiative to secure an opening at his school, confidently putting himself forward.
Nine months after his first lesson, Luis amazed his friends by entertaining over 20 children at their Year 6 Leavers Disco. His performance was met with excitement, non-stop dancing, and praise from both the children and staff. This success led to further bookings in the following months, showcasing just how much he had accomplished in such a short time.
In His Dad’s Own Words:
“Luis started DJ lessons with Michelle at Want2DJ when he was 8 years old, from being an absolute novice to being able to DJ at his own primary school leavers disco. From never picking up a microphone and not having the confidence to try talking, then being able to interact with the crowd is brilliant. It’s not just the skills behind the decks that Michelle has helped him with but also his confidence to be able to stand up in front of people and DJ.”