Inside Foundation FM’s DJ workshop with Apple Music and AlphaTheta

Earlier this month, women-led music station Foundation FM teamed up with AlphaTheta, Apple Music, and Platoon to host an International Women’s Month DJ workshop. Leveraging the recent streaming integration between Apple Music and rekordbox, Foundation FM gave novice DJs a masterclass in building playlists and mixing tracks.

Foundation FM’s aim with the event was to prove to DJ newcomers that you don’t need high-end CDJs or an extensive record collection. “The whole idea was to show just how accessible DJing can be,” says AlphaTheta’s Amy Francesca.

Participants were taught the tech and workflows by Francesca and Charisse C (an artist and DJ at Platoon). They also offered insight into how streaming platforms, radio stations, and community spaces can inspire and support upcoming DJs. Wider discussions unfolded after, exploring ways to navigate the early stages of a DJ career and the music industry at large. A key focus was on building audiences and communities around events, and developing a distinct artistic identity. Community radio came into play here, highlighted as a useful platform for visibility and creative development.

“Everyone jumped on, played their favourite sounds, and you could really feel each person’s individuality come through,” says Amy Francesca. “Naturally, it turned into a bit of a mixer afterwards, with people connecting, sharing music, and getting to know each other, which is exactly the kind of energy we’d hoped to create. DJing isn’t just about playing tracks; it’s about creating spaces where people feel confident to express themselves. This is where new communities can form through music”

Charisse C adds: “Spaces like these are so important. Spaces where women in music, from all disciplines, genres and tastes, are able to come together to knowledge share, skill share and access priceless information that is often hard to come by…We’ve come a long way in terms of equity for women in music, we still see certain tropes and systemic barriers being repeated. It’s never been a question of talent. Spaces like these are reminders of the incredibly eclectic range of talented women”

While this session was a one-off, it demonstrates the ongoing efforts across the industry to break down barriers in DJ culture. No further sessions by Foundation FM, Apple Music, Platoon and AlphaTheta are planned, but we may see a continued effort from similar brands to continue inspiring creators.

“We believe this music and culture needs to be shared, and are committed to supporting partners like Foundation FM through our various programs to do so,” concludes Apple Music’s Stephen Campbell.

Sam is the Commissioning Editor at MusicTech, where he’s helped shape the publication’s editorial voice since 2019. With nearly two decades of music-making and a degree in music technology behind him, his focus is on the stories behind studio gear and the artists who use it. He’s spent way too much time sampling disco records.