youth music project

AudioActive employs a wide pool of talented artists and experienced workshop leaders.

Our workshop leaders all possess high levels of musical, creative and technical ability and also bring varied professional experience in areas ranging from : 

-- record label and music industry management

-- working with people who have severe physical or learning disabilities 

-- qualified teachers and college tutors

-- youth workers

Tom Caruana

Tom Caruana is a Production Tutor for AudioActive and is also experienced in leading drumming/percussion workshops. He has extensive experience of working with people who have severe learning disablilities.

Tom teaches mainly the production of Hip-Hop, a genre in which he has established himself as a reputable producer that many local artists aspire to collaborate with, although his workshops can also cater for other styles of music.

Tom has produced several released records including ‘The Splice Of Life’ - Breakin’ Bread Records, ‘Wild Kingdom’ album by The Menagerie and ‘Road Mans Showcase’ by Wordsmith.

His production skills have been lent to many artists including singers, bands, rappers and filmmakers. The skills he boasts as a producer are broad. He has experience in the process of releasing records, artist management, studio techniques, mixing, mastering, contracts and publishing all of which he is able to incorporate aspects of into his workshops.

Tom has also been known to collaborate with up and coming young artists who have developed their skills at AudioActive and is always happy to mentor them after they have left the projects.

Paul Alborough a.k.a Elemental

As one third of the revered hip-hop group, The Menagerie, Paul has headlined the Brighton Hip Hop Festival and supported the likes of RUN DMC and Grand Wizard Theodore.

Releases include a self-produced CD solo album, a Menagerie album (Esperanto Records), two singles (Fluid Ounce Records) and numerous compilation and mix appearances.

As a rap tutor for AudioActive, Paul delivers a range of dynamic hip-hop workshops aimed at helping young people to improve written skills, vocal performance and self-confidence. A qualified teacher, Paul creates an inclusive atmosphere and uses a range of teaching techniques to allow for individual expression. Each session helps participants develop written skills, vocal ability, performance techniques and self-confidence.

He currently leads hip-hop workshops for a wide variety of client groups. He is also working with live bands, youth groups, variety shows, and recordings.

Tom Hines

Tom is a local rapper (known as Hines) and part of the hip-hop act 'Imagineers'. He also hosts Brightons leading open mic night 'Slip Jam B', where he has provided numerous performance opportunities for young mc`s who have attended AudioActive projects.

Tom is reputed to be one of the best freestylers (improvisers) in todays uk hip-hop scene.

He has been working with AudioActive for about 2 years and has recently finished his 2nd year leading the rap strand of the Brighton Hip-Hop Festival Workshops' for us.

Tom is able to inspire young mc`s of any level and in addition to teaching them the basics of writing and performing their rhymes, he is able to draw on his vast experience of performance and help young artists to develop their identity as individuals, teaching them tricks of the trade like stage presecnce and confidence building techniques.

Ben Beecham a.k.a DJ Blood 1

Ben aka DJ Blood1 is a past UK DMC Scratch DJ Competition Finalist and part of Surgical Cuts, Brighton’s No.1 scratch DJ team. As a professional DJ Ben has enjoyed success in both the UK and further a field in Europe where he has gigged in Italy, Spain, Sweden, Denmark and Germany.

Ben’s workshops cater for aspiring young DJ`s from entry level through to those wanting to learn advanced DJ skills.

“DJ workshops build confidence in young people and give them something to focus their energy on, as well as learning more about artists, labels, industry and the history and origins behind the modern music that many young people appreciate today."

The main part of Ben’s workshops involve teaching Scratch DJing and Turntablism of which many techniques can be picked up quickly making the learning experience fun. Ben has a degree in music from and can incorporate elements of music production into his workshops such as recording cuts onto tracks and making entire tunes using only scratch techniques.

Dan Rodgers (Key):

Dan has been working with AudioActive for 5 years and leads workshops in DJ`ing, and Production. During his time here Dan has gained a vast amount of experience working in inclusion settings and has done some really effective work for pupil referral units and Youth Offending Teams as well as within formal school environments

A DJ of 11 years, Dan has played at parties and festivals all over the world, from Hong Kong to Cape Town and back home again.

After studying Music Technology at Leeds College Of Music in 1995, Dan has always been involved with music tech, working in recording studios and producing under various names. As a performer he has 2 exciting live projects, one of which is Key, a 100% live techno act.

He is also trained in the use of specialist equipment that enables people with severe physical and learning disabilities or restricted mobility and movement to use music making equipment and software.

Ian Marzouk aka Fidel Cutstro

With over 15 years of Dj Experience and a member of scratch crew Surgical Cuts, Ian has supported acts ranging from Wu-Tang, Jazzy Jeff, Dj Krush and DJ Q-Bert, as well as promoting one of the first and only nights that specialized in showcasing and promoting scratch music (Hand Music/Turntable Jazz).

His unique style has seen him play across the UK and Europe, specialising in scratch DJing. In the last few years Ian has moved onto production, completing a BA Hons in Music Production, with great success.

Ian has been working with AudioActive since 2004, delivering fun, friendly and informative outreach and in-house sessions to young people of all backgrounds. His workshops focus on learning basic to advanced scratch/mixing skills as well as production techniques in which Ian encourages young people to have a very hands-on approach to learning.

Max Wheeler (A.K.A Young Max)

Max produces and raps with duo Dirty Diggers, currently working on their third album for Zebra Traffic/Tru thoughts records. Diggers have performed all over the country touring with De La Soul & Aim, and gigging with acts from Lee Perry and Alice Russell to Roll Deep and Kano. They have sold thousands of records, getting play on local and Internet radio, BBC 1xtra and Radio1. Max Also records with projects Northern Property and Aviation.

As well as his own music, Max works locally as a youth worker, specializing in rap lyric & production workshops. He has set up youth studio projects in West Yorkshire and locally in Hangleton & Knoll. He has also led workshops all across the country in a variety of settings including schools, Pupil referral units, young offender projects, youth centres, & community events

When working with rap he concentrates on lyric writing, construction of songs and the crafting of albums, as well as live performance. Equally as happy with production he works with Computers, samplers, live instruments and all aspects of contemporary studio production.

Overall he believes young people need to be treated as capable and professional, and encouraged to work at the highest standards they can, for both personal enjoyment, confidence and future success.

Max’s recent work for AudioActive includes Heading up our virtual exchange project with New York 'Hip Hop without Borders', Various Primary School Projects and as a Creative Partner at Filsham Valley School where he has worked alongside the Teachers there, to increase the accessibility and use of their brand new Music Technology Suite.