Sound Academy

Meet Jonathan, from streaming to DJ life:

Jonathan Santos is a Sound Academy graduate, multimedia journalist, graphic designer, and Camden DJ. During the pandemic, he and his brother hosted a storytelling stream for a whole year. Now, Jonathan is embarking on his own creative journey with plans to launch a YouTube streaming project called John Jukebox. He also balances his DJ career with club gigs and community events.

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Before Sound Academy:

Jonathan joined Sound Academy to elevate his technical and creative skills as a DJ and music producer. He was drawn to the academy's reputation for providing artists with professional tools and industry knowledge. Jon approached us to enhance his sound, expand his network, and gain practical experience in a studio environment. Jonathan described his time at Sound Academy as transformative. He emphasized the importance of community within the program, highlighting how being surrounded by other musicians fostered growth.

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He appreciated the hands-on, professional nature of the training, which allowed him to navigate both the creative and strategic aspects of the industry. He learned to manage content creation and effectively plan successful releases, while also gaining insight into industry partnerships.

He gained confidence in presenting and pitching ideas to industry professionals, such as DJs and radio staff. He also learned to recognize the value of remaining proactive and consistent in implementing strategies.

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Projects in Progress:

• Development of John Jukebox, a YouTube streaming project, with launch plans between March and early summer 2025.
• Collaboration with a New Jersey journalist and DJ to produce exclusive remixes, scheduled for release next week.
• Restructuring of approaches for partnerships with DJs and radio stations in Miami.
• Active engagement with the creative communities of Camden and Philadelphia through networking events and collaborations at local studios, such as JPEG Studio.

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Advice for future Students:

1. Take notes: always document what you learn to retain essential information.
2. Ask questions confidently: no question is too small; everyone is here to grow together.
3. Be punctual: arriving early is a sign of professionalism and preparation.

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What's his next step?

Jonathan aims to establish a clear balance between DJ'ing in clubs and participating in community-focused events. He also wants to expand the reach of his content beyond his local area and refine his deployment strategies for continued success. Jonathan intends to leverage Sound Academy's resources and partnerships to further his career. He expressed his gratitude to Sound Academy for its role in his growth and remains optimistic about collaborating with Sound Academy on future projects and contributing to its community.