In this two part article, CHME talks with DJ turned motivational speaker and entrepreneur, Claude Whitfield about creating With These Hands Mix Academy, a non profit organization based in Charlotte, NC dedicated to exposing youth to the art of DJ'ing.
Whitfield is also the commissioner of the nation’s first title belt world DJ competition, the WATC. I recently sat down with the former DJ to learn more about his journey and the great organizations he's created.
Charlotte House Music Examiner (CHME) interview with Claude Whitfield aka DJ COG Founder/CEO With these Hands Mix Academy & WATC World DJ Competition.
CHME: Tell me a little about yourself and what led you to creating With These Hands Mix Academy?
Claude Whitfield: You can say DJ’ing is in my blood. I began spinning at the age of 10 and was heavily influenced by my father a former DJ. I would spend hours watching him and remember getting in trouble when I was 11 for trying to build a DJ Coffin out of my parent’s old cabinets.
With These Hands Mix Academy was inspired by him, he told me I had to go to school to be a DJ. On another note I believe that it doesn't matter how good you are at something, if you can't or aren’t willing to teach others, how good are you?
CHME: Why teach DJ’n as opposed to MC’n, b-boy’n ECT? Is this reflective of where the industry is headed?
Claude Whitfield: Well first of all I'm a DJ and DJ’n is where it all started, the first turntable was invented in 1877 by Thomas Edison and the world’s first dance party was in 1943 by Jimmy Savile. Jam Master Jay said DJs make the world go around and we do, it was 2 Turntables and a microphone that you always heard not a mic n two turntables or b-boys and 2 turntables.
CHME: Tell me about the services and classes offered? Age ranges?
Claude Whitfield: We teach students ages 10-18. All of our classes begin with the history of DJ’n. This is the foundation that we build up on. We then start with vinyl, giving our students a true understanding of how and where the art began.
From there we go into using modern day technology: Rane mixers/Serato with apple laptops. One of the most important courses offered is our Conflict resolution class. All of our students complete conflict resolution courses during 001-002 up to their internship.
CHME: Who teaches the classes and what is their musical background?
Claude Whitfield: I teach the classes, not only am I a personal coach, but I have spoken to thousands of young people from one on ones to large convention centers.
I have worked in the music industry for many years; I've played for many artists throughout the US and overseas. I would like to say my students are getting the best of both worlds.
CHME: Do students have an opportunity to showcase the skills they’ve learned?
Claude Whitfield: Yes we provide real time experiences for our students. They play at proms, middle school dances, and events for Imaginon. Students are also given opportunities to make money DJ’n large scale events.
CHME: From the site: “With These Hands will encourage its students to explore nontraditional means of extracurricular activity. We promote self-awareness through various activities that will help students discover their gifts while fostering creativity”. Explain what you mean by this and why it’s important for young people?
Claude Whitfield: We encourage our students to learn life lessons through digital music creation. Usually youth between the ages of 12-18 are only offered limited choices for extracurricular activities like choir, band, sports or foreign languages.
Those areas are important however, society must realize that not every kid is a jock or scholar but are gifted in other areas. DJ’ing opens the door for our students to think out of the box while gathering an appreciation for the past, present and future of digital music creation.
We teach kids to use something they love, music to ignite a passion in them to become business minded, responsible adults.
CHME: Why is WTH needed in Charlotte and how has the school been received by the community?
Claude Whitfield: Well with budget cuts as bad as they are in the school system, and them cutting out extracurricular activities such as music, students need a way to express themselves. Music is a universal language and it gives students a creative outlet.
The city of Charlotte needs help in providing positive avenues that attracts young people. We provide a solid program that allows students from all walks of life to gain life skills through the art of DJ’ing. The support we’ve received from the community and beyond has been great! The program won the 2008 NACO (National Association of Counties) Award for Most Innovative Program for Mecklenburg County.
In 2009 With Theses Hands made history by launching the first high school DJ club at North Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte.
We’ve also partnered with innovative learning center Imaginon and gained major support through corporate sponsorships like Red Bull, DTLR, Skull Candy, DJ QBert/Thud Rumble, DJ Chuck T, Bounce Squad, Ortofon, Nonstop Hip Hop Live, and Sam Ash Music to name a few.
Our biggest accomplishment is that we have been doing all of this without any major grants which is unheard of for a nonprofit organization. Just imagine how many students we will touch when we receive grant funding.
CHME: What’s on the horizon for With These Hands Mix Academy?
Claude Whitfield: We are in the process of creating a With These Hands training facility at the Concrete2Green Center here in Charlotte. Also we’re in discussions with a number of organizations to expand the program throughout the country and hopefully even internationally by the end of the year. But for the most part doing what we do in teaching and raising up DJ’s.
CHME: If people want to donate, volunteer or contact you how can they reach out?
Claude Whitfield: The can reach me at claude@wthands.com and check out the website www.wthands.com
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Check out Claude Whitfield the entrepreneur in part two of this article where he discusses the WATC World DJ Competition and its upcoming reality show about the journey to becoming a DJ champion.
Keeping the groove alive one story at a time,
Anitra aka Golden Lady
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