LIFE

Learn to turn the tables at Indiana's only DJ school

Frank Espich
frank.espich@indystar.com
Lead instructor Nick Saligoe (aka DJ Metrognome) assists one of his students, Ryan Robinson II, 13, during his class at Deckademics DJ School.

DJing is such big business that two years ago, Forbes started releasing an annual list of top 10 earning spin-masters. No. 1? The Scotland-born Calvin Harris, a former supermarket shelf-stocker who made an estimated $66 million in 2014.

New graduates of Indiana's only DJ school, Deckademics, might not land on Forbes' class of "Electronic Cash Kings," but they can expect to make some money, says 33-year-old Nick Saligoe, who co-founded the school in February 2014 with Doug Morris of Old Soul Entertainment.

"Some of the best professional DJs here in the city can earn anywhere between 50 to a 100 grand a year," Saligoe said.

"The DJ culture has shifted pretty dramatically recently," Saligoe said. "There has been a sharp incline in using music production and the digital technology. People are picking up fewer guitars and piano lessons ... kids are gravitating toward DJing."

More than 400 students, ages 9 to 60, have taken the six- or 12-week programs since Deckademics opened a year ago, learning from some of the city's best DJs. We sat down with Saligoe, aka DJ Metrognome, to talk about his school of scratching.

Nick Saligoe, aka DJ Metrognome, along with his business partner, Doug Morris, started Indiana's first DJ School called Deckademics. In one year's time nearly 400 students have graduated from this unique and growing entertainment institution.

Q: Why a DJ school?

A: There is really a rich DJ culture that has always been here in Indianapolis. We have a lot of very talented DJs in various genre from various backgrounds and have traveled the world and are really well-known…now we are providing the space to learn.

Q: What does the average person need to know about Deckademics?

A: We are not genre-specific. It's not a hip-hop school. You want to learn reggae, or house music or jazz, I can show you how to play it. We can cater to any kind of music interest you have.

Other than that I just want people to know we are out here helping to make the DJ community thrive and improve. We are providing the skill set to the next generation of DJs.

Q: What's the future for a DJ school graduate?

A: You could potentially start making money once you learn properly. It really is a pretty good deal once you start thinking about education cost.

Q: Speaking of cost, what about the equipment needed to learn?

A: All equipment is provided during school. But at some point you will have to buy your own gear.

One of the mixers in use at Deckademics DJ School.

Q: How much is the set up for a pro?

A: In school we use standard Technics 1200 turntables ... they are kind of the Cadillac of turntables. They don't make them anymore and you have to find them used and they will run somewhere between $250 to $700 apiece.

The mixers also cost quite a bit. The average mixer, if you are going to get a good one, will be $700 to $2,500.

Q: What is your biggest challenge with students?

A: Some people naturally have a strong sense of rhythm so when it comes to counting the beats and following the rhythm of the records, that helps a lot with mixing. But, I've also taken people who did not have any traditional rhythm and taught them.

The learning curve might be slightly different. But you just have to find new ways to introduce these ideas. You have to play around and see what sticks with each student.

Q: Are you growing as a school?

A: We have definitely grown in our first year, and we are going to start some new initiatives. I want to get more involved in our public schools and the community centers here. We are looking into starting an after-school program with IPS.

Q: What is the hardest gig you have ever played?

A: My most heartbreaking was the Motorcycles on Meridian event (during Red Bull Indianapolis GP). I went on after one of my favorite DJ's, Z-Trip. Here I am playing with the guy I look up to and have been following for years, and my computer crashed and died on me.

I got booed by about 1,500 people. That was a pretty bad moment. It was a learning lesson and I have moved on.

Q: Who is your favorite DJ?

A: I have a very long list, but the top 3: 1. Local legend and one of our instructors, DJ Top Speed. 2. DJ Jazzy Jeff, from "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" TV show. 3. DJ Craze and DJ A-Track.

Follow Frank Espich on Twitter and Instagram: @FrankEspich.

Want to go to DJ school?

Deckademics, 6108 N. College Ave., offers classes on four levels: Novice, Amateur, Intermediate and Advanced. They meet weekly, for 90 minutes, over 6 or 12 weeks. Average price is about $42 per 90-minute class. Info: www.Deckademics.com.