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Celebrity DJ Jimmy Nocon is taking his passion for music beyond the DJ booth as he ventures into music education with the launch of his own DJ school, The Mix Lab, in Makati City.

Officially opened on October 28, the school aims to train aspiring DJs, help them discover their musical identities, and provide opportunities to pursue careers in the entertainment industry.

After years of performing at major venues and events in the Philippines and representing Filipino talent on the international stage, Nocon said establishing a DJ school has long been part of his plans.

“Opening a DJ school has always been one of the things I wanted to do when I eventually retire. For me, launching The Mix Lab is about giving back to the industry that has given me so many opportunities,” Nocon shared.

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A post shared by DJ Jimmy Nocon (@jimmynocon)

Located at Elektric Avenue, 2nd Floor, Century City Mall, The Mix Lab welcomes both beginners with no prior experience and experienced DJs looking to improve their skills.

Students will undergo hands-on training in beatmatching, mixing techniques, music selection, operating professional DJ equipment, developing their personal style, and building stage presence.

But beyond teaching the technical aspects of DJing, Nocon also wants to help his students gain actual industry experience.

The Mix Lab has partnered with local and international clubs to open potential performance opportunities for graduates who want to take their DJ careers to the next level.

“We don't want their learning to end when they finish the course. We want to help them put what they've learned into practice, gain real-world experience, and hopefully start building their careers,” Nocon explained.

The school offers three programs: Basic DJ Course, a three-session program for beginners; Advanced DJ Course, a five-session training that includes a recorded mix and a performance opportunity at a partner club; and Professional DJ Course, which prepares students for paid gigs and includes a professional certificate, a recorded DJ set for their portfolio, and guaranteed performance opportunities at partner venues.

All programs also provide access to The Mix Lab Student Community, allowing students to connect with fellow music enthusiasts and continue learning beyond their formal sessions. No personal professional DJ equipment or previous experience is required for beginners to enroll.

Drawing from his years of experience performing at different events, Nocon also hopes to prepare students for the unpredictable situations that come with being a professional DJ.

He recalled power outages, malfunctioning equipment, and even earthquakes during performances.

“You really never know what can happen during a gig. You have to be prepared for everything,” he said.

For Nocon, learning how to stay calm under pressure and adapt to unexpected circumstances is just as important as mastering the technical side of DJing.

He also encouraged aspiring DJs to develop their own identities rather than simply imitate established performers.

“Master the basics, stay humble, and never stop learning or improving. You don't have to be the best right away. Just keep showing up, enjoy what you do, and stay passionate about it.”

Related gallery: Celebrities who are also teachers

Looking ahead, Nocon hopes The Mix Lab will grow into a community that nurtures Filipino talent and provides more opportunities for aspiring DJs.

Within the next five years, he envisions producing a new generation of Filipino DJs who can perform at clubs, corporate events, and music festivals, as well as represent the country on international stages.

He also hopes to expand the school to other parts of the Philippines to make quality DJ education more accessible.

With The Mix Lab, Nocon is now taking on a different role in the music industry—not just entertaining audiences behind the decks but also mentoring those who dream of following in his footsteps.

Related gallery: Celebrities who are also club DJs