Education. Music. Community.

The music industry is best learned through creativity, collaboration, and hands-on experience. In the classroom, students go beyond theory to create real-world projects — launching artists and records, organizing events, and developing entrepreneurial ventures. This approach fosters innovation, teamwork, and boundary-pushing ideas, preparing them to succeed as artists, professionals, and leaders in the global music community.

UNIVERSITY COURSES

UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music
The DJ as Performer course by Justin Paul in collaboration with Professors Robert Fink & Tiffany Naiman.
Seminar, six hours. This course immerses students in the art of DJ performance and the deliberate practice of live mixing with vinyl records, digital CDJ decks, software & controllers. Students will also explore music curation, performance dynamics, incorporating instruments, live musicians, sampling, and visual elements. The course prepares students for DJ performances in various settings, from clubs and festivals to virtual platforms. Additional topics include DJ history and technology, technical aspects of DJing, dance-floor psychology, reading energy, and stem mixing. The course may consist of a university-sponsored club / special performance venue and host guest DJ speakers from various musical backgrounds and genres.
UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music
Fall 2025
Lani Hall Mondays 3-5p & Wednesdays 3-6p
Prof. Justin Paul
Fall 2024
Lani Hall Mondays 3-5p & Wednesdays 3-6p
Prof. Justin Paul
UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music
Lecture, three hours; discussion, one hour. Introduction to current music industry. Overview of career paths, monetization strategies, organizational behavior, and entrepreneurial thinking. Designed to serve as gateway for music industry degree programs. Students familiarize themselves with basic functions of industry that are covered in greater detail in upper-division coursework—letter grading.
Summer 2025
June 25 - July 30
Wednesdays 6:30p - 9:30p
UCLA School of Music

Fall 2025
October 1 - Dec 3
Wednesdays 6:30p - 9:30p
UCLA School of Music
Winter 2026
Jan 7 - Mar 18
Wednesdays 6:30p - 9:30p
UCLA School of Music
A definitive analysis of the functions of the A&R professional, this course stresses the collective effort needed from all departments--artist, label & publisher--in creating recorded music in all formats--from creation to acquisition and release.
UCLAx
Summer 2025
June 24 - Sept 2nd
Tuesdays, 7:00p-10:00p
Room TBA
UCLAx
Winter 2025
Jan 7 - Mar 18
Tuesdays, 7:00p-10:00p
Dodd Hall 167
Discover the fundamental aspects of the concert touring industry. This course guides students through the entire touring process, from planning to settling live performances.

UCLAx
Summer 2025
Thursdays
June 26 - Sept 4
Room TBA

UCLAx
Winter 2025
Thursdays
Jan 9 - Mar 20
Dodd Hall 167
Increasingly, DJing and music production go hand in hand as different but complementary skill sets. DJs who produce their own music, remixes, or mashups increase their chances of bookings.

UCLAx
Fall 2024 TBA
Prof. Justin Paul
Research projects, chosen in consultation with the instructor, culminating in creative projects, paper, or presentation.
Prerequisite: DMA 331 and DMA 431.
CSUDH
Spring 2025
01/21/2025 - 05/21/2025
LC Hall
Prof. Justin Paul
Explore the techniques of producing and directing a single-camera, film-style project on location. Emphasis on producer/director skills for drama-based productions from pre-production project pitch, script writing, and casting to production filming and post-production editing.
CSUDH
Spring 2025
Jan 21- May 21
LCH
Use of synthesizers, samplers, and MIDI for music scoring, sound effects drop-ins, ADR, and foley in television and stage productions. Six hours of activity per week.Restricted to majors.
Prerequisites: DMA 310, DMA 320, DMA 323, and DMA 328 are required.
CSUDH
Spring 2025
Jan 21- May 21
LCH
Prof. Justin Paul
This intensive introductory course provides an overview of the Digital film production process and practical filmmaking. This course introduces the terminology and operation of single-camera video production, including camera and recording operation, basic shots, composition, and portable lighting setup techniques. This course focuses on the practical use of a single camera for production and exhibition.
CSUDH
Spring 2024
Ja 22 - May 17
LC Hall
Prof. Justin Paul
Aspects of producing television features on an independent-producer basis. Practice in pre-production coordination, location shooting, directing, and editing techniques in the production of a broadcast-quality feature segment for public airing on the University cable TV channel. Repeatable for credit. Six hours of activity per week.
CSUDH
Summer 2025
Day/Time TBA
Prof. Justin Paul
Survey of the impact of digital technology on culture and the arts, including but not limited to the visual arts, music, dance, video, film, literature, and theatre.
CSUDH
Fall 2024
LC Hall
Prof. Justin Paul
Introduction and examination of the fundamental software and hardware tools used in the production of media for digital delivery. Emphasis on creative production techniques and the development of skills required in the digital media industry.
CSUDH
Fall 2024
LC Hall
Prof. Justin Paul
Develop an understanding of the structure and areas of the music industry by studying and applying emerging marketing trends. Topics include music marketing principles, terms, practices, publicity, advertising, online and traditional promotion, and digital distribution.

CSUCI
Spring 2024
Jan 18 - May 17
Online
Prof. Justin Paul

Testimonials

Gabriel Jones
UCLA Faculty & Former Dean Art Institute of Hollywood

Justin is a phenomenally talented educator as well as a visual and sound artist. The range of classes he is able to teach is nearly unparalleled in my experience, and he's able to bring an extraordinary depth and range of experience and skills to every one of his classes in audio production, visual effects, and film & video production.

Randy Fibiger
Vice President, Concerts at Madison Square Garden

Justin and the Playloop crew were a pleasure to work with when we collaborated on promoting live DJ events at the TLA and Electric Factory nightclubs. He's a tireless promoter and a great DJ who helped make all our events the place to be in Philly.

Michael Alleruzzo
Leadership Educator | Coach | Consultant

Justin Paul is a creative, intellectual professional who brings an energy to his work that is infectious. Justin is thorough in his work and diligent in creating a finished product that is of the highest quality. His pleasant, warm personality makes him someone with whom it is a pleasure to work.

Jeff Otto
Music Professor Rowan University

I have known and worked with Justin Paul for the past ten years. His ability to expand his knowledge base never ceases to amaze me. His work ethic and drive are always untouchable. Justin Paul is a rare individual who has technical ability, creativity, and a strong business sense. In short, go ahead, work with him... you'll see what mean.

Patrick McGrath
Film & TV Professor Art Institute

Justin Paul is an outstanding teacher and media professional. He brings passion, knowledge, energy, and competency to every course he teaches. Within the school community, such as the Technology Committee, he was highly regarded as an informed professional. He was sought out in the college as an expert in visual special effects, digital audio, and video technology. At the personal level, he tutored and mentored students closely, on occasion offering or arranging meaningful internships.

Jared Hoffman
Chief Financial Officer - The Mighty Networks, Inc

Justin was a passionate and effective brand ambassador for Native Instruments, deeply integrating the company's products and messaging into his communication with peers and personal and professional lifestyle. His open, positive, and self-motivated personality made him a pleasure to work with.