Volunteering got me a job in the music industry

When I’d just left school, back in 2001, I used to MC and was interested in music, but I didn’t know how to go about doing it for a career. Then I went on a rap course at Take One Studios in Nottingham.

I was really into it, and I kept finding myself in the studio. That’s when I met Courtney, he was my mentor – still is, in fact. He took me under his wing and started to teach me how it all works.

After doing loads of courses, I started getting in to volunteering. Courtney got me involved in carnival projects, helping out with workshops for young people. Anybody could come down and learn some skills. Just helping out really inspired me and got me motivated.

Basically, they couldn't get rid of me
When you don’t know anyone who’s doing what you want to do, it’s really hard to get into it. Through volunteering, people showed me the ropes, and that’s when I got a real hunger for it. I was always down the studio – basically they couldn’t get rid of me, and in the end I got my tutor training certificate and got a job as a trainer. I’m still here, smiling – there’s not many people that can say they smile when they’re at work.

The young people I train at Take One can gain qualifications and specialise in certain areas. They get inspired, and they all progress onto other courses or into volunteering.

A taste of the real world
You do learn a lot as a volunteer in the music industry. It’s the real world. I went to college, but there what you’re doing isn’t real. Here, at the studio, you’re working with proper artists. There’s real world pressure, and you have to adapt to it. Volunteering gives you a feel for how things work.

To find out more about Take One, visit: www.take1studios.co.uk/home.html