Student DJ’s Guest Host ‘Sounds For Plant Lovers, Vol. 35’

A group of young music enthusiasts recently wrapped a special workshop series led by veteran radio DJ Anthony Valadez. The goal was to guide the participants through the process of creating their own personalized music mixes, complete with song introductions and context.

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Anthony walked the group through an introduction to storytelling and the technical aspects, showing them how to edit the audio and create smooth transitions. "Remember, context is key," Anthony advised. “We want to know why these songs matter to you.”

“Remember, context is key... We want to know why these songs matter to you.”

— Anthony Valadez

The young DJs rose to the occasion, sharing the meaning behind their musical selection to draw people into why these songs matter to them. Participants included Allan, a 10-year-old who chose songs that reminded him of his crush, Devine, a 9-year-old who picked upbeat tracks with great music videos, and Juju, a 10-year-old who selected songs about getting money to help his stepmom.

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Isabella, a 13-year-old, shared deeply personal choices that honored her late mother and 15-year-old Aviana paid tribute to the memory of her uncle and grandmother whose graves she visits regularly with her family.

As the mixes came together, you could feel the sense of pride fill the room. "You're about to be a DJ!" Anthony said. The workshop culminated in a listening party, where participants traded shy smiles, excited squealing, and tears as their personalized soundtracks played. Juju laughed as he heard his own voice, while Isabelle grew emotional listening to the song that reminded her of her late mother—each of them deeply moved and proud of the mixes they had created.

Tune in to Sounds For Plant Lovers, Volume 35 on Mixcloud to hear the young student DJs guest host alongside Anthony Valadez and share their personal soundtracks and stories.

Anthony Valadez, a DJ, cultural strategist, and storyteller from Los Angeles, was welcomed as the artist-in-residence for the Porch On TAP workshop series at Inside Southwest Detroit.

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Through two engaging workshop series, Valadez is supporting youth to express themselves creatively using music, storytelling, and filmmaking.

In his first series Anthony led the youth in exploration of the art of storytelling through music and personal narratives. Valadez, a seasoned radio personality, shared his own journey, emphasizing the importance of engaging with people's stories within the community.

"I learned that having some really good dialogs with people on the radio didn't just teach me a lot of cool things, but I got to learn about people's stories in the community," Valadez explained.

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Throughout the workshop, participants were encouraged to share their own stories and perspectives, with Valadez stressing the practical value of developing strong storytelling skills.

“You can listen to a song on your own, but once you hear what it means to somebody, you’ll never be able to hear it in the same way again… you make people lean in when you provide context.”

— Anthony Valadez

The group put this into practice, engaging in activities that honed their critical thinking and fostered deeper connections as they learned to listen to and appreciate each other's narratives. The workshop aimed to empower young people through self-expression, helping them build positive relationships with each other and to develop creative skills they can use beyond the classroom. 

By the end, students left with new creative skills and a deeper understanding of storytelling. Through music and personal narrative Anthony Valadez helped them to find their voices and connect with others in meaningful ways—skills that will stick with them long after the workshop.