Youth Music Production
& DJ Program

Give a Beat reaches hundreds of young people annually in partnership with organizations who specialize in serving system-impacted, resilient youth.

Since 2015, Give a Beat has been dedicated to delivering music production and DJ programs to youth aged 11-26 in underserved communities and high-stress environments. As a member of the admirable Arts for Healing & Justice Network, our mission is to provide exceptional arts programming aimed at redirecting lives and transforming the juvenile justice system.

By leveraging the power of music and the arts as preventive tools, we offer avenues for creative expression, enabling youth to discover their talents, bolster self-esteem, and build resilience against racial and economic injustices.

Our Youth Music Production & DJ Program extends its reach to juvenile halls, camps, halfway homes, schools, alternative schools, community centers, and parks. Collaborating with commendable partners such as the California Arts Council, Jail Guitar Doors, Street Poets, and LA County Parks & Recreation, we bring a trauma-informed curriculum that aims to provide at-promise youth with a visionary experience. The program incorporates  life skills, technical proficiency, and basic business acumen that can be applied across diverse career, educational, and social pathways.

  • Building Self-Esteem

  • Creative Self-Expression

  • Redirecting Lives

  • DJ Unknown at Roosevelt Park.

  • Raashey (participant) and Malachi (Teaching Artist) in Fresh Tracks.

  • Teaching Artist, Spiñorita, going through the basics of DJing.

  • Malachi and student working on Ableton equipment.

  • Teaching Artist, Shaine, and students learning how to make beats.

  • Raashey and JC in the C.A.P.O. Center studio, Fresh Tracks.

  • Recording studio at Jail Guitar Doors C.A.P.O. (Community Arts Programming and Outreach) Center.

  • Two students collaborating and DJing B2B at the parks.

  • JC, Fresh Tracks participant, mastering his latest track.

Stories from Our Blog

Blog
The Power of Music at Give a Beat: Transforming Lives at Los Padrinos
The Power of Music at Give a Beat: Transforming Lives at Los Padrinos

Discover how Give a Beat's Youth Music Production & DJ Program at Los Padrinos transforms lives through the power of music. By fostering creativity, collaboration, and personal growth, we empower youth impacted by the justice system to express themselves and envision brighter futures. Join us in nurturing resilient communities through art and compassion.

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Youth Empowerment through Music: Doug’s Inspiring Story
Youth Empowerment through Music: Doug’s Inspiring Story

Discover Doug's inspiring journey in the Youth Music Production and DJ Program at Give a Beat, where his genuine enthusiasm and creativity shine through, showcasing the transformative power of music and creative expression.

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Unlocking Potential and Empowering Youth through Music: Woody’s Journey with Give a Beat
Unlocking Potential and Empowering Youth through Music: Woody’s Journey with Give a Beat

Unlocking Potential and Empowering Youth through Music: Follow Woody's inspirational journey with Give a Beat's Youth Music Production & DJ Program. Discover how music education is shaping a brighter future for system-involved youth in Los Angeles.

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Harmony in Mental Health: Our Dedication to Youth Well-Being
Harmony in Mental Health: Our Dedication to Youth Well-Being

Discover how Youth Mental Health First Aid Training equips the Teaching Artists to better support young program participants struggling with mental health and crises. Learn about our collaboration with inspiring organizations like No Easy Props and Inside Out Writers and the impact of music-based interventions in improving mental health outcomes for adolescents and young adults.

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Turning Up the Tempo for Justice & Healing
Turning Up the Tempo for Justice & Healing

Our Youth Music Production and DJing Program offers young people a chance to explore their creativity and utilize music as a means to promote social change and transform lives. Read more and join Give a Beat for Youth Justice Action Month as we strive to inspire justice through the healing power of music.

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From Program Participant to Teaching Artist: JayCee’s Inspiring Journey with Fresh Tracks
From Program Participant to Teaching Artist: JayCee’s Inspiring Journey with Fresh Tracks

JayCee’s journey from incarceration to becoming a Teaching Artist showcases resilience, determination, and the pursuit of dreams. Through programs like Fresh Tracks, Give a Beat highlights how music and the arts foster positive emotional outlets, creative expression, and empowerment for youth facing racial and economic injustices.

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Empowering Youth Through Creative Expression: Celebrating Fresh Tracks Program Graduation
Empowering Youth Through Creative Expression: Celebrating Fresh Tracks Program Graduation

Providing diverse opportunities in art and music for underserved youth, read how two participants found hope and inspiration throughout the program

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Empowering the Next Generation of Music Professionals
Empowering the Next Generation of Music Professionals

Give a Beat's youth program provides hope for a student in juvenile hall.

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Giving Youth A Chance to Shine in Music Production and DJing
Giving Youth A Chance to Shine in Music Production and DJing

Our Youth Music Production & DJ Program provides safe and engaging spaces for system-impacted youth to explore their creativity.

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A Fresh Beat
A Fresh Beat

Youth Music Production & DJ Program gains new ground!

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In Their Own Words

  • "This music takes me back to a time when I wasn't in trouble - a better time in my life. These beats really take me somewhere else - somewhere out of here."

  • "I usually don't like to participate in these programs they have for us but this is actually pretty cool.. I'm glad I came out of the dayroom today - thank you."

  • "I'd probably be running the streets if I hadn't heard about this program. I'm glad I have a space where I can be creative and keep me from getting locked up."

  • "I have always wanted to try something like this (DJing) since I was a little kid.. I honestly never thought I would have the chance to until you guys showed up today."

  • "My mindset is really changing in here. I realize the streets aren't the only route. If I take this music stuff seriously, I could really do it."

  • "I really did not know that I would like doing music this much.. this is something that I discovered that I really enjoy doing - thank you for showing me all of this."

  • “I believe if there were programs like Give a Beat before I got incarcerated it would have changed my life, because all I really needed was an outlet.”

  • “I came in here just to focus on lyrics. Out of nowhere, I figured out I have a gift for making beats. Next thing you know, a brother told me ‘you have an ear for music, that’s a gift of a producer.’ It's really opened up a lot in terms of realizing what else I'm good at. Once I learn everything, I can help people that are in my position. That’s dope, I love inspiring people.”