MARK 18
Mark took a Dv8 e2e Music Production course, which helped him to gain a place at Access to Music where he is taking a level 2 course; Mark has also since been picked up by an agent to DJ House music. Speaking of his time with Dv8, Mark says that, 'the course gave me a real boost and more confidence to do what I really wanted to do, before I came to Dv8 I was doing mechanics at college but I was really bored'. Mark particularly enjoyed learning 'the basics of programming and DJ skills' and feels that 'the tutors were very supportive and showed you what to do, it was a good learning environment'. Asked if he would recommend Dv8 to other young people, Mark said: 'yeah, I definitely would'.

DAVID 18
Currently in Second year of Access to Music Creative Music Producer Course - Level 2. Also now on Dv8 Loop Artist Development Programme. "I really enjoyed Dv8 and its the best thing I've ever done. It got me into Access to Music, a Level 2 music course which is something I've always wanted to do and now Ive done it with the Dv8 tutors help. I've made loads of songs, performed at Loop festival, DJ'd and done loads of stuff I would not have had the chance to do. I would recommend anyone to do Dv8 as it's a great opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people and get into loads of exciting activies. e2e was good overall for helping with my key skills."

LEE 17
Currently working in Retail. "My time at Dv8 was good, I especially like the fact that you can sample other music and make it into a whole new tune and the fact that you get the chance to perform in front of a live audience and improve your vocabulary. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to produce music or learn more about the music industry. I would have liked to have spent more time at Dv8. e2e as a whole was good to help me get my Basic Skills improved and overall I really achieved".

KAI 19
Now Working for C-Side, Brighton Events Company. "Before I started at Dv8 I had failed my GCSEs, this was due to a lack in my enthusiasm to learn and hanging out with the wrong crowds. I have always loved music and have always wanted a career in music, so when I left School I applied for a BTEC Music Technology Course at Brighton City College.

The interview went OK and I attended the induction day, during the induction I found out that I could not continue the course as I did not have the GCSEs required. Ileft the college gutted and soon later got a labouring job and forgot about Colleges. It was a few months later and then my Mum picked up a Dv8 course leaflet. I thought the courses looked great and initially I thought of the Music Production Course but then the promotions course really caught my eye. I had never considered club promotion before, I rang up and applied for an interview.

I started Dv8 on 7th Feb until July 2007. During my time at Dv8 I had some of the best experiences in my life. As a group we got to plan, manage and run a successful club night, we had some great trips, including visiting the BBC 1Xtra radio station, the Ministry of Sound club, not forgetting the great friends I made (including the tutors) and the great times we had. After the course had finished I was asked to join the music production Dv8 course to help with the end of their course. This was a great privilege and to have more time with Dv8 was great. During my time at Dv8 my tutors were really helpful in finding me further education. They wanted everyone to know about the courses out there. My tutor Kim helped me fill out my form for Access to Music, a music college located in Brighton. With the help from my tutors I got a place on the Music Production Course. I stayed for a year and had a great experience creating music on computers. With my Dv8 experiences I didn't need GCSE requirements so it was great because I didn't get turned away.

Now it's been two years since I joined Dv8 and it has changed me for the better. I work in the Brighton Club Scene for a company called C-Side, along with work from different promoters. The Contacts and experience that Dv8 have given me have put me where I am today and I am really grateful for all the hard work everyone at Dv8 has done to change the lives of the younger generation of today."

SUNNY 19
Now working as sales assistant at Phones 4 U Brighton. "Roughly 5 months before I started Dv8, I finished my time at Varndean secondary school with very low passes. At same time this happened I was having a very rough time at home.

After finishing Varndean I worried a lot about how I was going to get in to college or get some sort of job. A member of my family suggested redoing my GCSE's, so from there I went to Brighton College to see if I could redo my exams, but unfortunately I didn't even have high enough grades to even accomplish that. When it came close to November 2004 I spotted a flyer in Record Shop where I saw Dv8 advertised. I read a brief description about Dv8 Training, after reading the flyer I took it home and phoned Dv8 on the number they had printed on the flyer.

Not much was said, I spoke to a member of Dv8 and told them about the position I was in and that I was interested. Then with out any complication I had an interview, which went extremely well. With in a week or two I was on the Dv8 Training course were I met manager Dan and my tutors Jimmy, Aj and last but no least Kim who was all brilliant and very supportive. Through out the course I learnt to use some professional music programs, Garage Band, Reason and Logic pro 6. As well as learning how to use music programs I also learnt about Music Business, Promotion and Marketing.

I also came to learn that Dv8 wasn't just about Music it was also about getting me and all the other students on Dv8 Training into a job or into further education. My whole time at Dv8 affected me personally in a positive way, there was always great encouragement and I found my self a lot more motivated than I would have been if I had never joined Dv8. When it came near the end of my time at Dv8 I decided to apply for a place at Northbrook College to partake on a course called B-TECH First Diploma in Performing Arts. With the help of Kim I write a letter of application, travelled to directly to Northbrook had an interview then within a few weeks I found out I was on the course.

With out Dv8 I really don't think I would be as motivated or as confident as I am to this day, and I highly suggest Dv8 training to any one who was in my possession or to any who wants to learn about music and simple life skills."