Are you ready to take the leap to professional DJing? Whether you are a complete beginner or intermediate, you'll learn the art song curation, selection, and placement, and seamless transitions to create conscious dance journeys you always dreamt of. Plus, we'll give you a handy technical training manual to guide you through the process and for you to jot down notes, so you have a valuable reference for the future!
Our multilingual team of DJ teachers ensures accessibility for all, considering different nationalities and languages. We also offer one-on-one courses in various languages.
In this course, we cover a lot of ground! By the end, even reluctant beginners will be capable of DJing a set, ready to create enchanting musical journeys. The training starts with a thorough introduction to the basics of Traktor Software and DTM's unique Set Creation Model. From there, we'll take you on a step-by-step journey, mixing theoretical and technical sessions with practical sessions that provide an opportunity to put knowledge into practice, while always making time for group discussions, live demos, and, of course, dancing! Topics for both levels include:
→ Traktor software overview
→ DTM’s unique conscious/Ecstatic Dance set creation theory AKA “The Magic Carpet Ride”
→ Effective library management
→ Track sourcing
→ Waveform analysis
→ Musical dynamics and energy
→ Understanding the beatgrid
→ Counting music and phrasing
→ Customising your Traktor DJ software
→ Mastering the mixer
→ Using DJ controllers
→ Foundational transition skills
Occasionally, we’ll break into groups based on skill level so that both complete beginners and intermediate DJs will benefit from this training and learn something new. Some sessions get very hands-on and include 1-on-1 coaching to address personal challenges, ensuring a rock-solid foundation, no matter where you are on your journey.
Don’t worry, you don’t need to decide upon registration whether you are part of the beginner or intermediate. If needed, we support you in making that decision during the training. Overall, we adapt our teaching to your cohort's skill level, interests, and specific requests, while maintaining the objectives of our established DTM DJ Training Curriculum.
✤ Is our Ecstatic DJ School for You?
→ Do you want to be a DJ?
→ Do you have a deep desire to create truly magical Ecstatic Dance sets?
→ Are you a conscious dance facilitator using iTunes/Spotify, ready to level up?
→ Do you organise Ecstatic Dance events and seek confidence to DJ at them?
→ Do you already DJ with Traktor software and want to go beyond the bare essentials?
→ Eager to learn alongside peers that understand the unique skills needed to DJ conscious dance, often overlooked in traditional DJ academies?
→ Do you want to learn to DJ in a kind, supportive environment where you feel safe to risk asking those potentially “stupid” questions?
If the answer to any of these questions is YES! Then join us at the 2024 Online Ecstatic DJ School designed specifically for conscious dance music professionals!
If you want to experience our training in-person you can join our ECSTATIC DJ SCHOOL in Italy (Oct 2024).
✤ What to Expect at the Ecstatic DJ School?
This 9-module training—suited for beginners and intermediates—takes place on Wednesdays over a period of 9 weeks from 20th of November 2024 till 29th of January 2025 (with a 2-week break in December). Each 3-hour module blends lectures, mini dance sessions, assignment reviews, group discussions, and loads of opportunities to connect.
You'll receive a 200+ page printable official DTM DJ School Manual & Workbook, rich with practical and theoretical knowledge, alongside blank spaces for your insights and those of your peers. Each module comes with assignments to bring your knowledge into practice. You’ll be armed with know-how and confidence to step behind the DJ booth and craft truly magical dance journeys for people.
✤ Times
→ Central European Time (UTC+1) 18:00-21:00 (Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin)
→ Western European Time (UTC+0) 17:00-20:00 (London, Lisbon)
→ Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5) 12:00-15:00 (New York, Montréal)
→ Pacific Standard Time (UTC-8) 9:00-12:00 (Los Angeles, Vancouver)
All sessions will be recorded and released within 48 hours to allow everybody to catch up on any missed sessions and stay on track with content and assignments.
✤ Our Live Training Format is for you if...
→ You seek a vibrant learning cohort and future DJ colleagues
→ You thrive when learning within a group setting
→ Your schedule is works well with our live training hours
→ You enjoy live interaction with both instructors and fellow students
Opt for our Self-led Online Ecstatic DJ Training and gain instant access to a comprehensive 200+ page technical manual paired with engaging video content from recordings of our most recent training. The course is structured into 9 modules, culminating in a total of 24 hours of video learning. Furthermore, for a span of 9 months, you'll have unrestricted access. To slightly personalise your learning experience, we also offer a free 45-minute 1-on-1 coaching session with a DJ coach of your preference.
✤ The Self-led Training Format is for you if…
→ You enjoy learning at a pace that suits your personal needs.
→ You absorb knowledge better when studying independently
→ Your schedules make it challenging to attend our live training sessions? (to the Aussies and Kiwis out there!)
→ You’re seeking a more cost-effective learning opportunity
→ You don’t require/desire certification
If this sounds like you, then there is no need to wait. Gain instant access to our Self-Led Ecstatic DJ Training program and start your DJ journey today!
Our 9-module curriculum transforms beginners and intermediate students into confident DJs with strong foundational skills. Even newbies will be ready to deliver magical music by the course’s end.
Our expert team will guide through theory and technical skills, while modules build upon each other and we mix in interactive group discussions and loads of Q&A to quench your curiosities. Occasionally, the cohort will “break” into skill-level groups for tailored teaching.
Notably, in modules 04, 06, and 08, the learning is very hands-on. Each student benefits from a 20-minute 1-on-1 session with a DTM DJ Coach, meeting you exactly where you are and addressing challenges that hinder your progress.
✤ Module 01 • THE BIG PICTURE: A COURSE OVERVIEW (20 Nov)
→ Introduction to the team, your cohorts and first small group check-in
→ DTM's Conscious/Ecstatic Dance Set Creation Model (aka the 'The Magic Carpet Ride')
→ Beginner: Demystify DJ Software: Demystify DJ Software: an introduction to Traktor Pro3 DJ software
→ Intermediate: Dive into Traktor Pro 3 Software to establish common ground and go over the basics
✤ Module 02 • IMPORTING + PREFERENCES (27 Nov)
→ Importing: Best practices for getting your music into Traktor
→ Group continuity: Making sure everyone is ready for the technical part of the course
→ 1-on-1 with DTM DJ Coach + group practice with DTM DJ Mentors
✤ Module 03 • SET CREATION + BROWSER (04 Dec)
→ Introduction to set creation, with focus on crafting the ‘Body of the Set’
→ Exploring set creation tools, and what determines the energy level of a track
→ A deeper dive into Traktor browser, library organisation, and file management
✤ Module 04 • CONTROLLERS + INTRO TO PRE-CUEING (11 Dec)
→ DJ controller/console 101: A basic intro to the Traktor S2 MK3
→ Intro to counting music
→ 1-on-1 with DTM DJ Coach + group practice with DTM DJ Mentors
✤ Module 05 • TRACKS + DECKS (18 Dec)
→ Tracks! When to use them, how to find them and where to buy them!
→ Deck layout, track decks, waveform
→ Beginner: Demystifying track formats and golden tips for track selection
→ Intermediate: Cue points, loops, and beatgridding
✤ Two session break (No Classes 25 Dec & 01 Jan)
✤ Module 06 • INTRO TO TRANSITIONS & GROUP DISCUSSION (8 Jan)
→ Introduction to the phrasing
→ Group check-in, mini-lesson, and practice instructions
→ 1-on-1 with DTM DJ Coach + group practice with DTM DJ Mentors
✤ Module 07 • FOUNDATIONAL TRANSITION SKILLS + MIXER (15 Jan)
→ Top tips, shortcuts and lowering stress, so you can have more fun!
→ Deep dive into the mixer section of Traktor Pro 3 and your controller
→ Beginner: Intro to three basic transitions: Intro/outro, “Drop on the 1”, and syncing
→ Intermediate: Filtering, EQing, FX, looping, and harmonic mixing
✤ Module 08 • MORE TRANSITIONS SKILLS & DEMOS (22 Jan)
→ Stacking transition skills to create seamless mixes
→ Group check-in, mini-lesson, & practice instructions
→ 1-on-1 with DTM DJ Coach + group practice with DTM DJ Mentors
✤ Module 09 • ONWARD (29 Jan)
→ Final bits of wisdom from our DJ Coaches: Top tips + Q&A
→ Graduation ritual
→ Beginner: Best practices to step into the world as a DJ
→ Intermediate: Playing Live, reading the room, improvisation
We have revolving teachers for the intermediate group:
✤ BERNICE RAABIS • Founder of Dance The Medicine
Having begun humbly in the Kootenay Mountains of Western Canada, Bernice is now a respected mentor for Conscious Dance Leaders across the globe. Her journey started with hosting Dance Church for over ten years, where she harnessed her expertise from training in various disciplines, including Soul Motion, Movement Based Expressive Therapy (The Life Art Process), and Relational Somatic Therapy. These were brought together to nurture her local multi-generational dance community, which flourished and surpassed even her most ambitious expectations.
In 2016, she stretched her wings co-founding Ecstatic Dance International, facilitating successful leadership trainings in the US, the Netherlands, Guatemala, and Portugal. Driven to incorporate DJ and dance facilitation skills into available trainings, she used the name of her unique practice, and founded Dance The Medicine, a collective of accomplished conscious dance professionals determined to infect the world with dance.
While Bernice loves DJing and creating transformative events, her deepest fulfilment comes from facilitating deep somatic processes using a combination of dance, art, and ritual; to help dancers find freedom through connection to self, community and humanity.
✤ FABIO FREDDI (DJRonin) • Ecstatic Dance DJ, Dance Facilitator & Founder of Ecstatic Dance Italy
Fabio, or DJRonin, brings over a decade of professional DJing experience, starting as a turntablist, competing in international scratch competitions, and touring with Italian hip hop artists. However, a profound awakening revealed music as a transformational force for healing and personal growth, and drastically altered his course in life.
He pursued studies in transpersonal psychology and shamanism, and ultimately fused these insights with his DJing expertise. Now, he masterfully merges his knowledge, skills, in facilitation and DJing for Conscious and Ecstatic Dances and mentors DJs and musicians tap into their intuitive power and combine it with technical know-how.
After participating in the DTM Leadership Training in 2018, Fabio established Ecstatic Dance Italy. Aside from his musical leadership, Fabio excels in group settings, serving as a transpersonal counsellor and Biotransergetics facilitator. His unique blend of music, psychology, and spiritual insight, Fabio places him as a forward-thinking and transformative leader in the conscious dance scene. Since DTM’s inception, he’s been an integral member, representing Italy within our international ranks.
✤ AMRIT DHILLON (Amritaji) • DTM DJ Coach, Founder of Ecstatic Dance Milwaukee & Resident DJ @ Ecstatic Dance Salt Like City
Amritaji (Amrit Dhillon) has been enchanting global audiences since 2007 with her unique fusion of psychedelic worldbeat and bass music. Rooted in psytrance and infused with a love for trance-like states induced by Kirtan, she has a unique style of weaving traditional Eastern and indigenous music with deep bass lines and modern dance rhythms. Her music is more than an auditory experience—it’s a sonic space for healing, free and authentic expression, and most importantly, fun!
In 2016, she founded Ecstatic Dance Milwaukee, a venture that continues until today. Currently, she’s also a Resident DJ at Ecstatic Dance Salt Lake City and serves as an ambassador for Ecstatic Dance Records. Since 2019, she has been using her skills set as a DJ coach with Dance The Medicine, offering support during training sessions and providing personalised 1-on-1 DJ lessons. Through her various roles, she persistently spreads her love for conscious dance and movement across the globe, thereby nurturing the global Ecstatic Dance community.
✤ MORE TBA
"The Beginners DJ School not only fulfilled my dream of being a DJ, but it allowed me to develop and create my own music/dance medicine flavor for the world to experience. I'm so excited about what is ahead for me, and I know that I am in good hands: the people I met are so incredible, we will forever be connected and follow each other's journey, and that in itself is a gift!"
→ Maïté Azarov • San Francisco, USA
"Overall, it went beyond my expectations. I thought I would just learn how to be a DJ. But I found a community, support, and courage to be strong, daring and me! This training gave me balance in my daily life, allowing me to incorporate music, dance and DJ sessions. I improved fast and am shocked at where I am today: having released a first set. Now I am thrilled and scared to be on my own for my DJ journey, even though I feel the support still present from DTM and the whole group. So much advice on “do it your own way” “get inspired by others but remain yourself” “just do it!” “Some might criticize or judge, but they are not doing it, you are!” still resonates and allows me to feel that I can do it and that my music is worth being heard and dancing to! I don’t have to be the perfect expert or the greatest musician to be allowed to create sets and share them with people willing to dance to it. I am thankful for the diversity in our group, of age, gender, race and styles, countries and cultures. It was so great to meet all those people, not even knowing what job they might have, but knowing what music they dance to!"
→ Héloïse Ferber • Bagnolet, France
"For me, the training gave me more than foundation skills for DJing, but led me to bust through some self-conscious patterns. It was a rewarding journey on many levels, and I wasn't expecting that! Everyone in the group, the teachers and assistants are just so lovely and unpretentious, it made participating so much easier. I couldn't have wished for better people to learn these skills, and I'm already using them out here in the world, so it's very exciting. Thank you, DTM!"
→ Venetia Clarke • Wales, UK
"This course was an amazing experience. I am so grateful to the teachers who share the technical and artistic aspects beautifully - even online - which is no easy task! They are so understanding of what it feels like to be a beginner with this technology and take the time to break things down in a fun, gradual way that helps you actually get it! The welcoming environment helps you feel comfortable to relax into your own learning style/pace, and also digest the content and ask questions as needed. I felt like we all bonded deeply, and it was delightful to cheer each other on as we each launched our first recorded mixes."
→ Joy Balsam • Santa Fe, USA
→ How do I know if I am a beginner or an Intermediate student?
If you have very little experience or understanding of DJ-ing or DJ software, then you are a beginner. If you're comfortable enough with DJ software to play at a dance or party with ease, you're probably an intermediate student.
The key distinction between beginner and intermediate levels lies in the depth of understanding of DJ software. Even those with years of experience, yet limited knowledge beyond the basics, can greatly benefit from joining the DTM Ecstatic DJ School. However, please don’t worry about categorising yourself; part of our curriculum involves assessing your skills during training to determine which tech group you’ll join. Even if you feel you've chosen incorrectly, you're welcome to switch at any point!
If you want to experience the training in-person, join us at the IN-PERSON DJ SCHOOL in Ireland (Sept 2024). If you feel you would be better served in an intermediate course, check out our ONLINE DJ SCHOOL MASTERCLASS SERIES (Apr 2024) and IN PERSON ECSTATIC DJ CAMP in Italy (Oct 2024)
→ Will I receive a certification?
Only those taking the training live via Zoom will be certified and receive a certificate. We do not certify those who take the course self-paced, as we have no way of knowing whether they have completed the course and homework. If this is an issue for you, please contact us, so we can discuss it.
→ What gear/software do I need?
You will be required to download and install the latest version of Traktor Pro 3 (software). If you wish to purchase a controller (hardware), we recommend Traktor Kontrol S2, which comes with Traktor Pro 3 software. It is an entry-level controller and likely the easiest DJ controller to learn on; however, you can use any brand/model of DJ controller that is compatible with Traktor Pro 3 for this training. While you are not required to have a DJ controller/console for this course, you will get far more out of the course if you do have one. We offer our students a 25% discount on all Native Instruments' Traktor products.
→ For how long will the recordings be available?
The video recordings will be available for you to watch for a period of 9 months.
→ I'm not sure which path is right for me. Can you advise me?
Absolutely! Simply send us a message here on WeTravel or email us at info@dancethemedicine.com
→ What's your cancellation & refund policy?
In case of cancellation from your side, we don't offer any refunds, regardless of the reason.
It's good to join early! Sign up by the end of September and get €200 off regular pricing.
→ The full experience: Live classes, interactive breakout groups, DJ demos, somatic based activities, and comprehensive Q&A sessions
→ 9 content-packed modules, offering a total of 27 hours of learning
→ A robust +200-page manual complete with weekly assignments, worksheets, and vital resources
→ 12 carefully curated tracks to kick-start your collection
→ 25% discount voucher on Traktor hardware products
→ 1-on-1 sessions during training with a DTM DJ Coach.
→ Complete access to class recordings, available 48 hours after each live session.
→ An exclusive WhatsApp group to foster vibrant discussions, resource sharing, and networking opportunities with your classmates
→ A graduation certificate acknowledging your accomplishment
→ An enduring network of supportive, fellow Ecstatic DJs
→ Your graduation gift is a set evaluation from one of the DTM DJ Coaches. On request, any time until 6 months after graduation.
→ The full experience: Live classes, interactive breakout groups, DJ demos, somatic based activities, and comprehensive Q&A sessions
→ 9 content-packed modules, offering a total of 27 hours of learning
→ A robust +200-page manual complete with weekly assignments, worksheets, and vital resources
→ 12 carefully curated tracks to kick-start your collection
→ 25% discount voucher on Traktor hardware products
→ 1-on-1 sessions during training with a DTM DJ Coach.
→ Complete access to class recordings, available 48 hours after each live session.
→ An exclusive WhatsApp group to foster vibrant discussions, resource sharing, and networking opportunities with your classmates
→ A graduation certificate acknowledging your accomplishment
→ An enduring network of supportive, fellow Ecstatic DJs
→ Your graduation gift is a set evaluation from one of the DTM DJ Coaches. On request, any time until 6 months after graduation.
As always; the first 3 sign-ups to any training get the best deal, €300 off regular pricing.