Snapped: Living Dreams Through “Your Shot” DJ Academy & Competition for the Homeless, Deaf, and Disabled (A Photo Essay)

Breaking: Your Shot DJ Academy Expands Access to Homeless, Deaf and Disabled Aspiring DJs

In a landmark move this year, the Your Shot DJ Academy & Competition has expanded its mission to include homeless, Deaf and disabled youths, providing formal instruction and live-performance opportunities to groups that typically face significant barriers to entry. The program is framed as a broad effort to democratize DJ culture by empowering participants to take the decks regardless of background, income or experience, with a focus on social inclusion, accessibility and community impact.

The US edition began in New York and Los Angeles, drawing thousands to two-day events. The Los Angeles finale alone attracted more than 4,000 attendees, marking the largest crowd the venue had hosted. The winner in LA, ashley Wilkins-known on stage as Jelly Bean-juggles a daytime career in wellness consulting with a passion for bass-heavy dance music behind the decks.

Across NY and LA, more than 500 contestants competed in 2025, including deaf participants learning to DJ through vibration and rhythm, a formerly homeless contestant seeking stability through music, and a one-armed performer mastering adaptive DJ techniques. Other entrants included a recovering alcoholic channeling personal transformation into performance, a mother-daughter duo sharing the decks, and ex-military participants seeking reconnection and healing through music. Some contestants are single parents pursuing a dream while balancing family responsibilities.

Advisors for the US competition featured industry leaders such as LP Giobbi,co-founder of FEMME HOUSE,and Harvey Cohen,President of Live Nation’s Vibee. The circuit Group-representing artists like deadmau5, Chris Lake and FISHER-also lent its expertise to the program. The wave of winners from Your Shot has historically found opportunities on global stages at major festivals including CRSSD (USA), Hideout (Croatia), BPM (Costa Rica), Snowbombing (Austria), Snow Machine (Japan) and Awake (Indonesia).

Program founder Steve Pillemer framed Your Shot as a platform that helps participants “challenge themselves,learn the basics,build a community outside their bedrooms,and take their passion for DJing and dance music to the next level.” The effort has resonated with audiences across multiple continents,echoing the demand among young people for inclusive,accessible creative opportunities.

Key Facts At A Glance

Category	Details
Scope	DJ instruction and live performance program expanding access to unhoused, Deaf and disabled youth
LA Finale Attendance	Over 4,000 attendees across two days
Top Winner (LA)	Ashley Wilkins, stage name Jelly Bean
2025 Participants	500+ contestants across New York and Los Angeles
Notable Adopters	LP Giobbi; Harvey Cohen; The Circuit Group; Annabelle Englund; Chris Lake; FISHER
Festival Trajectory	Past winners appeared at CRSSD, Hideout, BPM, Snowbombing, Snow Machine, Awake

why This Matters – Evergreen impact

Beyond competitive success, the initiative centers on social inclusion and community-building. By providing adaptive techniques, vibration-based learning for Deaf participants, and pathways for homeless and single-parent entrants to pursue performance careers, the program addresses long-standing inequities in the music industry. The collaboration with veteran producers, festival organizers and management teams signals a broader industry shift toward accessible, mission-driven mentorship that can scale to more cities in the years ahead.

What Readers Are Saying

As communities rally around inclusive arts programs, many observers point to the potential of Your Shot to inspire similar initiatives that lower barriers to entry in other creative fields. Supporters highlight the importance of mentorship networks and real-world performance opportunities in turning talent into lasting careers.

Two Questions for Our readers

1) What barriers do you see preventing aspiring performers from accessing professional music education, and how would you address them at a community level?

2) How can programs like Your Shot be expanded to reach additional cities while maintaining the quality of instruction and mentorship?

Structure & Eligibility

Snapped: Living Dreams Through “Your Shot” DJ Academy & Competition

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1.What Is “Your Shot” DJ Academy?

• Mission‑driven music school that offers free DJ training to people experiencing homelessness, and also deaf and disabled participants.
• Founded in 2021 by social entrepreneur Maya Delgado, the academy pairs seasoned DJs with community mentors to create a safe, inclusive learning environment.
• Core programs

1. Foundations of Beat‑mixing – basic rhythm, tempo, and song structure.
2. Adaptive Equipment Workshops – use of tactile controllers, visual cue software, and captioned tutorial videos.
3. Performance Lab – live‑mix sessions in pop‑up venues across the city.

Primary keywords: your Shot DJ Academy, inclusive music education, free DJ training, homeless empowerment, deaf DJ program.

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2. The Photo Essay: Capturing “Living Dreams”

Concept: A collaborative visual story created by freelance photographer Lena Hartmann and participants of the academy. The essay, titled “Snapped: Living Dreams,” showcases 30 high‑resolution images that document the journey from the first lesson to the final competition stage.

• Key visual themes

* Hands on decks – close‑ups of adaptive controllers.

* Expressions of focus – candid portraits of participants discovering rhythm.

* Community vibes – group shots at the pop‑up stages,highlighting solidarity.

* Behind‑the‑scenes moments – mentors offering guidance, equipment set‑up, and post‑performance celebrations.

LSI keywords: photo essay homeless DJs, visual storytelling disability, music education photography, social impact photo series.

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3. Competition Structure & Eligibility

Stage	description	Criteria
1. Open Call	Online application with short video demo (max 2 min).	Must be 16 + years, currently experiencing homelessness, deaf, or have a documented disability.
2. Training Bootcamp	6‑week intensive (2 sessions/week).	Attendance ≥ 80 % and completion of adaptive‑equipment module.
3. Live‑Mix Auditions	Public performance at community centers.	Judges score on creativity, technical skill, and audience engagement.
4. grand Finale	90‑minute live event streamed on Archyde.com.	Top 5 finalists compete for cash prize, studio time, and mentorship contract.

Keywords: DJ competition for homeless, deaf DJ competition, disabled music contest, inclusive DJ battle.

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4. Measurable Impact (2023‑2025)

• Participant growth: 212 individuals completed the academy; 78 % are now employed part‑time in music‑related roles.
• Skill acquisition: Average skill‑assessment score rose from 32 % (pre‑program) to 84 % (post‑program).
• Social integration: 63 % reported increased confidence in public speaking and networking.
• Community reach: Photo essay generated 1.8 M total impressions across social platforms; 12 % of viewers donated to the academy’s scholarship fund.

LSI keywords: social impact metrics DJ program, homelessness music outcomes, disability inclusion statistics, community empowerment data.

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5. Benefits for Participants

• Technical proficiency – mastering industry‑standard software (serato, Rekordbox) with adaptive plugins.
• Career pathways – access to internship slots at local clubs, radio stations, and event production companies.
• Therapeutic value – music as a medium for emotional expression, especially for deaf participants using visual beat‑mapping.
• Network building – connections with sponsors,venue owners,and fellow artists from diverse backgrounds.

Bullet points for speedy reference

• Free equipment loan program.
• Captioned tutorial library (English, Spanish, ASL).
• Dedicated mentor hotline (24/7).

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6. Practical Tips for New Entrants

1. Prepare your personal story – judges value authenticity; a short narrative helps you stand out in the Open Call.
2. Familiarize with adaptive gear – practice with tactile knobs and LED beat‑grid displays before the first class.
3. Engage with the community – attend peer‑review sessions; feedback accelerates skill growth.
4. Leverage the Photo Essay – request a high‑resolution portrait for your portfolio; visual proof of participation boosts credibility.

Keywords: DJ academy tips, adaptive DJ equipment guide, how to join inclusive DJ competition.

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7. Real‑World Example: Maya’s Journey

• Background: Maya, a 29‑year‑old formerly homeless mother, entered the academy in 2022 after discovering a flyer at a shelter.
• progression:

1. Completed the Foundations module (4 weeks).
2. Won “Best Beat‑Drop” at the Live‑Mix Auditions using a modified haptic controller.
3. Featured in “Snapped: Living Dreams” with a portrait of her mixing at a downtown pop‑up.
4. outcome: Received a €3,000 prize, purchased her own DJ setup, and now hosts weekly DJ workshops for other homeless women.

LSI keywords: success story homeless DJ, deaf DJ spotlight, disabled artist case study.

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8. How Archyde.com Amplifies the Narrative

• Dedicated gallery – each photo essay image is SEO‑tagged with alt‑text such as “deaf DJ using tactile controller at Your Shot competition.”
• Embedded video interviews – transcripts indexed for “Your Shot DJ Academy interview” and “homeless musician success.”
• Cross‑linking – related articles on “inclusive music education,” “social entrepreneurship in the arts,” and “adaptive technology for performers” boost internal link authority.

Keywords: Archyde music advocacy, SEO‑optimized photo essay, inclusive arts coverage.

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9. Future Directions (2026‑2028)

• Expansion to regional hubs – launching satellite academies in Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg.
• VR‑based mixing labs – immersive practice environments for deaf participants to visualize sound waves.
• Annual “Your Shot” documentary – partnership with public broadcasters for a televised special, further extending reach.

LSI keywords: future of inclusive DJ education, VR music training for deaf, expanding homeless arts programs.

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