DJ course on offer

An Auckland polytechnic will be offering an NZQA-accredited DJ course next year to match demand from students wanting to be part of the electronic music scene.

The Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand (Mainz), a division of the West Coast's Tai Poutini Polytechnic, has developed a Certificate in DJ and Electronic Music Production (Cert DJEMP) to be studied full-time for one year.

Whitireia Polytechnic in Porirua already runs a popular DJ programme, and Mainz has experienced growing demand for its short DJ course run as part of its adult community education programme.

Mainz director Harry Lyon said it was possible for DJs to make good money and to travel but they often had to accept a "portfolio career" of commercial work to help pay for the creative work.

The DJ certificate will teach students business and other "transferable skills" as well as DJ-ing and using up-to-the-minute technology.

Mr Lyon said students might go on to use their skills to write soundtracks for documentaries, films and commercials, or go on to audio-engineering.