Young people between the ages of 11 and 18 on the DJ TechNoiz project have been coached by London's DJ Frenchkiss. The project forms part of a rolling music-making programme run by ReZonance, the Thurrock Youth Music Action Zone which is jointly funded by Youth Music and Thurrock Council.

ReZonance Community Youth Worker, Victor George says: “Our first session, in Tilbury, covering timing, synchronization and good record selection was enthusiastically received by everyone there, girls as well as boys.

“The session finished with an impromptu display of the group’s new MC skills, ably backed by DJ Frenchkiss. I was surprised by the young people’s talent and how well this initial session was received.”

DJ Frenchkiss added: “I’m looking forward to working in Thurrock and meeting young people on the local DJ scene.”

DJ TechNoiz, is being delivered in partnership with the Thurrock Youth Service, and started at the Riverside Youth Development Centre in Tilbury. The 1½-hour sessions in Grays will take place at the Connexions centre, 24-28 Orsett Road, starting at 5pm on every Wednesday in July.

Sessions in Stanford-le-Hope will take place at the Stanford-le-Hope Youth Development Centre, Hassenbrook Road, starting at 4pm on each Tuesday in July.

Further sessions are being planned for youth centres in South Ockendon, Chadwell St. Mary, Purfleet, West Thurrock and Horndon-on-the-Hill, ensuring young people throughout the whole of the borough have the chance to take part in this new and exciting initiative.

Each course will run over eight, 1½ hour sessions and young people who successfully complete the course will be eligible for the Duke of Edinburgh Certificate of Prior Learning.

All sessions of the DJ TechNoiz project are free, but places are limited, so aspiring DJs and MCs are encouraged to apply without delay.

For further information on courses, call Angela Adams at  ReZonance on 01375 841947 or email amadams@thurrock.gov.uk

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Notes to editors:

1. ReZonance is one of 24 Youth Music Action Zones in England and Wales, providing music making activities to young people who might not otherwise have the opportunity.

2. Youth Music funds and facilitates music-making for young people up to the age of 18, particularly those living in areas of social and economic need. By 2010, Youth Music aims to have reached 3 million children and young people in a nationwide strategy to support youth music-making. More information is available at www.youthmusic.org.uk

3. Since December 2000, Youth Music has set up 24 Action Zones in areas of social and economic need across England and Wales. The aim is to provide music-making activities to young people who might not otherwise have the opportunity. The Zones are made up of established organisations from the public, voluntary and private sector. They cover all genres of music and deliver a wide range of activities including workshops, rehearsals, performances, one-to-one teaching and mentoring. More information is available at www.youthmusic.org.uk