Become a Music Producer - Youth Music (Manchester)

Join Gaydio Academy’s free Music Production training programme, supported by The National Lottery and taught by two of the world’s leading DJs and music producers, Dave Cooper and FORBID.

Over five weeks, you’ll learn from industry professionals who have performed on some of the biggest stages and produced music played around the world.

Dave Cooper currently holds a residency with the Discoliscious Collective at UNVRS Ibiza, officially ranked the number one club in the world. He has performed at Reading & Leeds Festival, Parklife, HOMOBLOC and Warehouse Project, to name a few. His production credits range from unofficial club edits and remixes supported by club and radio DJs across the UK and internationally, to original productions and official remixes, including for Grammy-nominated vocalist Kelli-Leigh on Armada Music.

FORBID has performed at HOMOBLOC, Manchester Pride and the Birmingham Pride Dance Arena. As a producer, he has released several acclaimed dance tracks, establishing himself as one of the UK’s most exciting electronic music talents.

Through a series of relaxed, hands-on training sessions, you’ll learn the fundamentals of music production using Ableton, from understanding the software and working with MIDI to building ideas, arranging tracks and shaping your sound. You’ll explore effects, energy and mixing techniques before learning how to master your music for clubs and streaming platforms, all with guidance from experienced producers every step of the way.

Alongside the workshops, you’ll receive one-to-one support, collaborate with other aspiring producers and gain access to progression opportunities through Gaydio Academy and our industry partners. By the end of the course, you’ll have created your own original dance track from scratch and developed the confidence and skills to continue your journey as a music producer, whether you’re completely new or already experimenting at home.

Course Layout

6 'Become a Music Producer' cohorts will run between January 2027 to June 2027, with each cohort delivered over a 5 week period.

More details are provided below:

Become a Music Producer: January 2027 - June 2027 (5 weeks)

Music Producer Layout:

Ableton Setup, Layout & MIDI
Building Ideas & Song Arrangement
Effects, Energy & Sound Basics
Mixdown & Club-Ready Mastering
Create Your Own Track From Scratch

Location, Dates, Times & Costs

Location: Gaydio, Manchester One Building, 53 Portland Street, Manchester, M1 3LF

Taster Date & Time: January 2027

Become a Music Producer (5 Weeks) - Start Date:

Cohort 1: TBC (5 weeks, always on a Tuesday)

Cohort 2: TBC (5 weeks, always on a Thursday)

Course Time: 6pm to 9pm

Cost: Free for all participants (who meet the criteria below)

Criteria

You must be 12-25 years old
Must be available for the dates above

Why Take The Course?

We're gonna be a bit big-headed and let you take a look at our testimonials, they speak for themself!

Application Form

Please check the criteria on this page to ensure you are eligible for the course before submitting. If you do not meet the criteria, please check other courses in the ‘Current Courses’ section or send us an enquiry on the ‘Connect’ tab on this website.

With Thanks

Youth Music
Since 1999, Youth Music have supported over 5,000 projects. Use our interactive map to discover how music is transforming lives in your community today.