I went to the appointment and was surprised to find out it wasn't exactly a studio, it was an apartment building (so I guess this is run out of someone's personal apartment?) which freaked me out so I left. I never got any communication from the "studio" at all, which was also really weird. Would not recommend. read more

I completed the full-length DJ course with Devon. Devon excels at explaining the theory and the "why" behind DJ-ing concepts in a straightforward and engaging way. The course starts from fundamentals to get you comfortable with the basics and you level-up by adding new concepts over time. It's amazing to me how much progress I was able to make with my DJ-ing when I look back to where I started about a year prior. Highly recommend Washburn! read more

I took Washburn's intro DJ course ("level 1") with Devon, and was a wonderful class. Devon is a fantastic instructor and came across as thoughtful, detailed, and very experienced. I will def be getting my equipment soon. Thank you so much! read more

I signed up my 14 year old son for music production lessons with Devon, starting in January 2020. Devon was meticulous with his instruction, especially with a teenager who didn't know anything about Ableton or producing music. After taking 10 sessions, COVID hit, but my son had enough information from Devon to work on his own for months during shelter in place. Based on Devon's tutelage and my son's dedication, he's been producing his own beats since April and is now creating songs. We started seeing Devon again two months ago and he's now providing higher level technical knowledge to my son, which is helping him improve his producing skills and his sound. Devon is absolutely legit with his knowledge and ability to convey that knowledge to his students and get results. My son is proof positive!! Listen for yourself. https://soundcloud.com/user-195719594/boog-kai-the-mc None of this would have been possible without starting with Devon. read more

Washburn Studio Music School - Devon droppin' knowledge - Specialty Schools Near Me - San Francisco, California

I took DJ-ing Intro Course for my brand new Pioneer DDJ FLX4 with minimal knowledge about DJ-ing. Devon was very patient, and his instruction style was thoughtful and interactive. He taught me so many things that my brain, ears, and hands have to remember, but I am very comfortable as a guy who just stepped into DJ-ing. Great course! read more

I took the level 2 DJ course with Devon and he was awesome to work with. He was super knowledgeable about all things music and helped me really learn how to put together a set end to end. Couldn't recommend this course enough! read more

I signed up for Washburn's intro DJ course ("level 1") with Devon, after reading reviews online and couldn't be more impressed. Devon is a fantastic instructor - he is thoughtful, detailed, and coaches you incrementally over time. After every session, I leave feeling more excited and prepared, as his instruction is invaluable. The studio setup is also top-notch, with all professional DJ/mixing and music production equipment. Couldn't be happier with the course and will be moving onto the Level 2 one next. read more

I've been attending Washburn for a few months now and am learning so much! It's a very intimate learning experience and feel like Devon really gets to know you and help you craft your style. If you're looking for DJ lessons or even most learning about DJ'ing I highly recommend Washburn. read more

Booked an intro to DJ course with Washburn recently, after hearing about it through a coworker. Devon has a great setup that spans the gamut from DJ/mixing to music production to old style turntables. He is great at teaching - he gets you actively participating on the decks within minutes, and coaches you incrementally. He also throws in some good jokes/humor, and had good suggestions for next steps for me to continue pursuing it on my own (e.g. starter equipment). Would highly recommend for those interested in taking an intro to DJ lesson or general DJ courses. I'm personally trying to find the time to take the longer DJ Essentials course now! Note for first timers - no need to bring your own laptop/etc; he has all the decks and software. The website may mention that, but I may have missed it. read more

I took an intro course with Chucky (few years ago) and it was awesome. Decided to start it all over again and this time go for the advanced course. Reaching out and working with Devon have been a great experience, fast and detailed response! I highly recommend to checkout Washburn! read more

I highly recommend this coach. He is very experienced and a great artist. I got trained on Music Production and DJing. I hope you consider Washburn Studio for your professional advancement. read more

Devon is amazing, highly recommend taking classes with him to anybody that is looking to get into music! PS: He is incredibly patient :) read more

Very professional and very knowledgeable. I would definitely book lessons with Devon again.

I took the advanced (now known as "level 2") DJ course with Devon as my mentor. He is incredibly knowledgeable and personable, and is very flexible with the curriculum depending on what you are looking to learn. It is a very hands-on learning experience as well. I highly recommend. read more

Devon is an amazing teacher! I can't recommend Washburn enough. In just a few sessions he's already increased my knowledge and skills so much read more

I took the complete DJ course and had a blast! Been DJing for a few years and still learned more than I bargained for. The teaching style is great and the lessons gave me a lot more technical knowledge and confidence on the decks. Looking forward to taking music production here as well read more

Chucky is an EXCELLENT teacher and a incredible person overall. A year go I took my first ever DJ lesson with Chucky. He taught me what "the one" is -- and it forever changed my perception of music. I then had a fundraiser I had to DJ for 9 months later and in one night he took me from terrified to confident and ready - I DJ'd the event great for 200+ people! Chucky has a way of explaining how to DJ so it makes sense. He is honest about what his style vs. creating your own style. But the way he describes the practice -- it just clicks and within two lessons I got it (WHO ever learns so much in two lessons?) A year from my first lesson I reached out to chucky asking him how I could rent a club space. He went out of his way to utilize his connections to help me rent out my dream club with DREAM speakers for a surprise birthday. We threw the best party I have ever experienced and got to be headliner DJs for the evening with 70+ friends dancing, drinking and smiling. Chucky was with us for the whole night to make sure we knew how to set up the speakers etc- and I got to get paid for DJing for the first time (at my own party!!). This evening would never have happened without Chucky's support. I still can't smiling from that evening. In sum, if you are interested in DJing - do yourself a favor and take a lesson from Chucky. He will support you to make your DJing dreams come true. read more

I've been wanting to DJ for such a long time. For whatever reason (personal, business etc.) things just could not come together for me. I moved to the Bay in July 2014 and once I got settled I immediately went looking for a mentor/DJ teacher. A few DJs said they would help me out but that turned out to be unsuccessful. So I found Washburn Studio in my search and contacted the school. I immediately got a response from Chucky and I was so excited! He was so flexible with my schedule and understanding. He reassured me that everything would work out and I was blown away by his professionalism! Fast forward to the classes. He provided a syllabus and was really thorough in his teachings. He started from the most basic of lessons and then moved onto the harder stuff as he saw I was ready. He was extremely knowledgeable about music, timing and how to use all the DJ equipment. The most important thing for me was how great a value it was for how much I was learning. He taught me how to practice so I could become better. He was always encouraging and supportive. For anyone looking to fulfill this dream contact Chucky at Washburn and don't hesitate! I've always been skeptical about "schools" that teach you what so many have learned on their own. Boy did Chucky and Washburn Studio prove me wrong! read more

My husband had a stroke of brilliance for my birthday - lessons from The Art of DJing. Let's face it, learning a new skill like this can be exciting, but taking the journey on your own can be daunting. I tried to learn some things on my own here and there, but with all the different options and schools of thought and my own lack of structure, I didn't get very far. Do yourself a favor and get a helping hand from a total pro. After five lessons with DJ Chucky Brown, I'm amazed at how much I've learned. Here's what you can expect from lessons at The Art of DJing: - Well-constructed lesson plans in which each new concept builds on the last - Stories that provide a context for what you're learning - Handouts that help you keep track of what you've learned - A patient teacher who will guide you through each new technique, give you time to practice, and challenge you to do your best - Exposure to everything you need to know to get your first gig - Encouragement to ask questions, think critically, and go deeper - An incredible leap forward in your appreciation of and your passion for music, and, of course, your skills! When I got the lessons, I was pretty confident I would learn some new things. I did not expect to meet a seasoned professional, a gifted teacher who's able to make learning fun, and a great guy who really cares about his students' success. I cannot imagine a better learning experience and highly recommend that you take a class at The Art of DJing. (Or get them for your honey for a gift - guaranteed best present ever!) read more

My experience with Chucky and DJ Pone at the Washburn Studio was absolutely wonderful and, I have to say, also it was really nice to patron a business that is clearly more about teaching and guiding others in the pursuit of fun and community through music. I'm an experienced, professional DJ, Producer, and Sound Designer with a BA in Music. However, you can have all the experience, skills, qualifications and talent in the world, but that doesn't mean that you can't always learn something new by working with someone else (a living person - NOT VIDS on the INTERWEBS!!!) that will take your mad skills to the next level. Following this philosophy, I purchased Washburn's Amazon Local deal for an intro class and assumed that it was going to be an individual lesson and that Chucky would probably adjust what he taught to match my level. Unfortunately, the voucher was only good for an intro group lesson and Amazon Local deal couldn't be refunded. I checkout out Washburn Studio's website to see what all they offer and saw a compressive program of services that anyone can choose from to fit their skill-level and/or interests. Chucky's studio is definitely set up to be accessible to those who just have a slight interest in DJing, to people looking to learn their first steps to becoming a DJ and all the way up to advanced work for professionals such as myself. After learning more about the Studio, I emailed Chucky and explained the situation. I let him know that I was aware that it was my fault for purchasing the deal and that I was prepared to take the hit and sit through the intro class, but that I would be happy to purchase on of the more expensive packages if he'd be willing to discount the package price by the amount I paid for the Amazon Local deal. AND NOW FOR THE BEST PART!!!! Chucky responded back, said he had listened to some of my work/demos I have on my website and acknowledged that my primary interest was in Turtablism/Scratching. He told me that, since the existing packages don't really fit what he thinks I would most benefit from, he came up with a custom package just for me that included 5 hours of 1-on-1 lessons, where 4 hours of instruction was to come from DMC Finalist DJ Pone. Chucky then modestly discounted the full-price of the custom package to make up for the Amazon Local deal I purchased (even though that was MY MISTAKE). Then, he said, "If you're serious about DJing, that's what this studio is for...LET'S DO THIS!" That will definitely stick in my mind for a long time! Finally, I wanted to give a shout-out to my teacher DJ Pone! Boyz, Girlz, Maaz, Paaz, Grampies and Grammies....if you want to learn how to be a BAD ASS scratcher, come take lessons from Pone as Washburn. DJ Pone was a DMC Finalist (think SuperBowl for Turtabilists, and that's DMC), is one of the founding fathers of Turntablism on the West Coast, and one helluva chill, super-nice guy that is a compendium of knowledge, history and technique. He is also an awesome teacher, in that he knows how to adapt his teaching style to each individual student of his to put things in a way that is understandable to them in their own unique way. After completing my 4 hours of lessons with Pone, my scratch technique increased to a level that can probably only be expressed by some kind of parametric equation or theoretical mathematics or something like that.... Anyway...go take lessons at Washburn!!!! You won't regret it a bit. read more

I took the private couples class with Chucky at the Washburn studio and it was fantastic. My date and I thoroughly enjoyed the 90 minute class. Chucky was very responsive to all of my inquiries and we were able to set up a class in no time. Chucky spent the first part of the class going over basic music theory and how that theory related to songs today. We then had the opportunity to get behind the turntables and really start interacting with true DJ equipment. In order to ensure that we were ready to start mixing songs based on the theory we learned, we played quick/fun games (which included drinking-if we were to get an answer wrong). Of course, this was all in fun and my date and I loosened up because of it. Chucky was able to demonstrate his in-depth knowledge of DJ-ing as well as demonstrate his ability to make people feel comfortable with learning a new skill. By the end of the class, my date and I were both able to scratch, cue up music, and mix two songs together on our own. I highly recommend taking this couples class if you/your date are even remotely interested in DJ-ing OR want to partake in a unique date idea. It was just awesome and my date and I both walked out of the class pumped up and ready to dance. read more

I had a really good time kinda spinning tunes with Chucky B. This guy obviously knows his stuff, but it is not a jerk about it. He really has a heart for what he does and it shows. Super chill and laid back, Chucky and his space was really cool. When I am more wealthy, I would like to take the whole course so I can dust off my old 80's albums and 12'' in the club, even if I am the only one dancing. This intro class didn't take away that yearning, so I guess it's working. He's got it all lined up, equipment, marketing, brand, name, out the box stuff. Makes you think; What if...... read more

My kid had a great time. She was shy at first but the instructor did a great job of being patient and talking her through everything. By the end of the class she was able to fully transition songs with no help and felt so good about herself! read more

The greatest experience of my life? I think it would be fair to say so. Before meeting Chucky, I spent 6 months trying to learn DJing on my own. With internet, you can get the basics but that will not likely get you your first gigg. That's why I wanted to learn from a real DJ and Chucky Brown turned out to be the perfect mentor. The class is all about the Art of DJing. In other words, how to "Rock the party". For that, you don't need to have fancy mixers to do effects. What matters is the music you are going to play, the different types of songs to throw to keep the crowd moving, meaning that you have to be able to look up your tracks easily in well-organized in your library. That's part of the things that I've learnt so far in addition to beat matching (no synch button guys ;-) or when to start mixing one song into another one. That's pretty much what we went through during the first two lessons and I'm just summarizing! The third class was about how to promote yourself as a DJ, how to pick a DJ name, buy a domain address for your own website and how much you can expect to make for a gigg. Really cool class ! After this lesson, Chucky and I went out and checked out different venues including the Monroe where I will be performing my first gigg with other Chucky's student such as B_Sound. Going out with Chucky was really cool because it shows you that you gotta have to meet people to get giggs. The really good thing was to watch the crowd reacting depending upon the songs that the DJ was playing. It was basically is a live course with Chucky. Great learning experience. The day after, I went back to the Monroe with my friends to show them the venue. No need to pay as Chucky called the owner to put us on the guest list ! Two weeks ago, I bought some turntables and asked for Chucky's advice. Whenever I have a question, I don't hesitate to ask him for his advice and he's super responsive. Within one day or sometimes within the next hour, I have a response. Thanks to Chucky, I saved USD 400 on the equipment! I have one lesson left tomorrow but I have the feeling that this journey with Chucky is like a tune and it's building-up and we're getting close to hit the heavy beats of the chorus !!! Our gigg at Monroe is on April 6th and there's another one scheduled the week after. The key thing we all need to remember is that we need to put the hours in to make it happen. Chucky Brown is not a magician but he clearly has the keys to make your dream happen. Sign up for his program, you won't regret ! Xavier Thomas To follow me on Twitter @djxavierthomas read more

Devon is a phenomenal teacher. He was great at breaking down everything he was explaining about DJing concepts to me at an elemental level. Beginners and experienced students alike would find value in working with Devon based on his extensive experience in the industry as a performing DJ and producer. I came away from our first lesson feeling very fulfilled, completely worth my money, and looking forward to returning for our extended lessons. The studio was a comfortable space for me with all of the equipment needed to learn and excel under his guidance. read more

There's nothing like going after your passion and finding the right person to be your mentor. Chucky is awesome! His vast knowledge of beats is priceless and his encouraging approach is infectious. Once you complete the Full Art of DJing lesson then you are in the family of DJs, and you can go to his studio every Tues night for open practice with beer, chips and its --- COMPLIMENTARY --- totally amazing! The $150 for a private lesson is such a value and is worth every penny! Book a lesson peeps! You won't regret it! read more

If you're looking to be taught music production by the best, then you've found them. Devon really knows how to tailor down process and has an incredible way for providing patience and expertise. read more

I took some private lessons with Chucky at the Washburn studio and had a great time. He is a great teacher and is very knowledgeable about the business. The lessons are very hands on. He also went out of his way to help me set up my equipment. I can't wait to rock the party!! I highly recommend Chucky!! read more

I took the introductory music production class with Devon and I learnt a lot from the class! Devon was very knowledgeable, articulate and passionate about music. He covered the basics of music production and Ableton in great breadth and depth, taught me many hands-on skills that were hardly found in online tutorials. I felt my money was well spent and I am going to book more classes with him. read more

I took the art of Djing class, and I had a blast. I had taken a class last semester on electronic music, and I learned more about music structure in the first 15 minutes than I did the entire semester of class. That alone was worth it! The class was well organized, well paced, and both challenging and fun. I was interested in the theory and the experience, and I was happy that I had both. I learned a lot about how DJing is performed, and also go to try it myself successfully. I think this a really cool, unique class and recommend it for anyone who wants to be a DJ or just wants to see what it's like. read more

Been working with Devon for a couple of months now and he is great. Detailed and well thought out curriculum with plenty of space to find your own voice. Don't hesitate if you're considering taking lessons! read more

I was a DJ back in the 80's, no computers, no bmp. . . I had some basic knowledge about how to mix tracks but Chucky takes it to a new level. He is very personable and takes you at your level. He provides great advise and TONS of internet resources to make the most of your music and abilities. I bought some equipment online thinking I could set it up and start practicing. WRONG. I emailed Chucky and he agreed to help me out setting it up, I tried to offer him money for his time but he wouldn't take it. What a nice guy! I ended up buying the Serato system using Scratch Live, which is what he uses for his lessons. It takes some practice but to learn something, that is step one! I have met a fellow student, DJ For the People, we have been practicing together, makes it more fun and I learn from him too. Our "final exam" is to play at a CLUB! I am excited and nervous about playing in front of a group but Chucky assured me I will be ready. If you are looking to learn about DJing and music, take his class, you will have a blast. DJ NewRo read more

I recently flew down to San Francisco to take the Essential DJ course at Washburn. No regrets, whatsoever! Devon is an excellent instructor. I had zero DJ skills going into the lessons and Devon did a fantastic job explaining concepts and techniques in a very clear fashion. I had a lot of fun and learned quite a bit during our sessions. I look forward to continuing to work with Devon remotely from Seattle. read more

I took a 4 hour lesson with Chucky Brown a couple weeks ago, and it was awesome. I had absolutely no experience with DJing, but it has been something I've always wanted to get into. Chucky was very patient with my friends and me and started from the very beginning. He is very passionate about what he does, and has been supportive and encouraging even now that the lesson is over. He has just opened a new DJ school this week, and I have every intention of continuing to learn from him and pursuing DJing further. read more

The team had a great time with Devon last year and we are already starting to plan for this year. Devon showed up very festive with holiday attire and even provided impromtu birthday celebration music. Looking forward to another great event this year at an even bigger venue! thanks guys! read more

I have taken dj and Ableton music production lessons from Devon for about 2 years now. When I started, learning Ableton, the tools seemed overwhelming, so much to know, and so hard to find good self teaching resources. So I started taking lessons with Devon and from day one he added value to my skills, starting from the basics all the way through advanced techniques. Every week I could feel myself progress. Devon helped me with the technical skills, but also introduced me to different styles of music, challenged me to get out of my comfort zone, showed me different tools to shape my sound and make it professional. Thanks to him I went from a basic grasp of Ableton, to having and album of 5 songs on Spotify. I wouldn't have been able to do it without him. Highly recommend! read more

My boyfriend was already a pretty decent dj after playing for private parties and weddings for several years on the side, and even taking a class at the Scratch Academy in LA. But then he took just 4 lessons from Chucky Brown, and what a difference! The "curriculum" is solid. He teaches more than how to "play rekkids", focusing on much more advanced techniques. My boyfriend shared what he's been learning, where I can now hear when I'm out how few dj's REALLY understand sound theory or have advanced technical skills. Beyond the technical skills, Chucky Brown (i.e. Cliff :)) is just a really nice guy, who's really generous with his time and advice. He's been more like a mentor and friend to my guy. I'd recommend him to any dj - new or "experienced". read more

I took the into workshop and it was some of the best money I have ever spent I learned so much, I now just signed up for the DJ Essential course and I am ready to make moves thanks Devon. read more

Got a deal through how about we. Chucky was cool and the bottle of libation was awesome. Fun class! Informative yet laidback. He can adjust the class to just how deep you wanna get into it. Would recommend to anyone! read more

Awesome guy, awesome class. I did a four-hour class deal that was originally on Pinchit. I didn't know what to expect going into it since I didn't have any DJ experience. The class was very interactive (pretty much the entire time) and a lot of fun. After working with Chucky I feel like I have a great starting block for getting into DJing, and have the urge to finally go buy some equipment. read more