NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)- Kids with Upturn Arts this summer got a big treat this afternoon. These kids got schooled in beat-making and music production like a real hip-hop producer or DJ would.

News with a Twist Reporter Kenny Lopez went to Nola Spaces, where the lesson for these campers was held.

Matthew Zarba, also known as “Mr. Z,” is not only a teacher with the Upbeat Academy Foundation, but he’s a mix master.  Now it’s his mission to get kids at Upturn Arts Camp to master the art of music mixing.

“In New Orleans, we have a lot of rappers and producers.  My goal is to get them to a point, where they don’t have to wait on a producer to make them a beat.  They can learn how to do it themselves.  The easiest part for the kids is the understanding the rhythm.  The hardest part for them is the technical part of the software learning.  The kids really enjoy just touching the buttons.  It really is about experimentation,” he said.

He hopes his lesson will hit the right note with these future DJs.

“When they have an idea of what sounds good in their heads, and then they hear it, that’s when they catch the bug,” Zarba said.

Today’s class with Upturn Arts was made possible by the Positive Vibrations Foundation.  Upturn Arts Summer Camp runs through August 12th, and there are still spaces to sign up.   Every week they bring in a new instructor to teach the kids something art-related.

For more information on Upturn Arts, click HERE: