Change is good

MIX MASTERED Ned Shalanski took his passion for music further.

Ned Shalanski, 24
Jackson Heights, Queens
The Class DJ 101
Scratch DJ Academy

I work as a landscape architect, but I’ve always been passionate about hiptronic. A friend of mine knows I like music and told me about the school. I thought it would be fun to expose myself to the art of DJing and maybe pick up a small gig or two. In DJ 101 I learned basic record-control techniques, the actual scratch technique and a broad overview of the art of DJing. For the last class I had to perform a set of music—six different songs for a total of ten minutes. Everyone invited friends. I was super-nervous but I had a fantastic time. One of the best things about the course was the other people I met in the class. I liked it so much that I went on to take DJ 151, which focuses on mixing techniques. I like an intimate scene—bars and small parties. I haven’t spun out yet, but if I do, I’ll have my Scratch crew to throw down with me.
434 Sixth Ave (212-529-1599, scratch.com)