Info for people inquiring about becoming DJ's...

In February 2014 at our meeting of DJ's we discussed the need for info for our PCD dancers who inquire about DJing on Sundays.                                                             ~DJ team

Becoming a DJ for Portland Community Dance

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Portland Community Dance DJ. We are delighted when dancers want to share their love of dance music with our community.

Our PCD DJ team helps assure the quality of what our DJ's provide for Sunday dances. It establishes criteria for becoming a DJ and also may audition prospective DJ's when appropriate. When needed the team sets a maximum number of DJs so that current DJs have adequate opportunity to DJ Sunday dances over the course of a year. In this case dancers interested in becoming DJs may be placed on a waiting list until additional DJs are needed. 

Please be aware that the DJ role is competency and skill based, as well as artistic. It is not only the job of the DJ to integrate technical skill with music for two hours; the DJ also establishes and holds safe space for dancers and helps set the tone, flow and vibe for the dance. 

We ask that potential new DJ's meet the following criteria prior to receiving training and supporting future PCD DJ's. Please consider the criteria listed below and feel free to contact us with any questions or clarification you may need. 

Prerequisites for receiving PCD DJ training/mentoring:

• Has attended Sunday dance regularly for at least 6 months.
• Has experience downloading /uploading music into Itunes or other equivalent music program
• Has basic computer technology skills and access to a computer that supports DJ'ing needs.
• Has working knowledge of Algoriddim DJay software or equivalent DJ software or learns software fundamentals on his or her own. All DJs must use DJ software to facilitate smooth music transitions & effects. 
• Has willingness to attend periodic DJ meetings and be part of the DJ team. 
• Has willingness to attend DJ training and/or be mentored by an experienced DJ. 
• Has familiarity with creating wave-like music sequences generally used for Portland Community Dance – influenced by but not limited to the 5 Rhythms wave format and other music elements that help build and diminish intensity as well as influence mood (such as tempo and music style). 
• Is willing to spend significant time searching for appropriate and varied music that fits into a 1 hour 50 minute dance wave, with emphasis on providing fresh or new music overall. Prospective DJ's should be aware that providing new or fresh music regularly requires an investment of money as well (when DJ's purchase their selections or subscribe to online music access).
• Plans to continue to dance with regularity at Sunday dances (and other conscious dance venues if of interest) to experience other DJ's sets and keep current with music being played. 
• If a dancer has significant DJ experience in some form of conscious dance, aspects of the criteria may be waived at the discretion of the DJ team.

We hope that the requirements aren't daunting--they are intended to help ensure that we continue to support the development of quality DJ's for our beloved dance. When you feel you meet the above criteria and would like to proceed with becoming a DJ for PCD please contact the DJ coordinator and someone will let you know about the timing for the next DJ training and mentoring process.                       

                                                Thanks again for your interest,     PCD's DJ Team