UNDERGROUND
MUSIC
ACADEMY

PRESSURE MAKES DIAMONDS

JOIN US FOR OUR IN-PERSON VIEWING OF FROM THE BOULEVARD TO

THE STAGE

WITH ELEMENTS '25 PANEL

Underground Music Academy (UMA) is proud to announce ELEMENTS 2025, a powerful workshop series dedicated to the growth of intermediate to advanced DJs and music producers in Detroit. Co-created by UMA founder Waajeed and Paxahau (organizers of Movement Music Festival), the program was born from a shared mission to support artists navigating the challenges

of creative evolution.

To kick off the new season, UMA invites the community to an exclusive in-person screening of Underground Music Academy 2025: From the Boulevard to the Stage on Saturday, October 4th from 1–3:30PM at UMA.

This special event offers a rare look inside the journey of last year’s ELEMENTS participants.

Immediately following the film, a live panel discussion will feature Morin Yousif alongside ELEMENTS alumni JMT, Sphinx, Ember, and Shaw, reflecting on their experiences and growth through the program.

This intimate gathering is limited to 30 attendees, all of whom will receive early access to apply for ELEMENTS 2025 before the public launch on Monday, October 6.

More than a workshop, ELEMENTS is a hands-on, collaborative experience centered on artistic autonomy, cultural context, and professional readiness—offering three intensive sessions that help artists develop with confidence and integrity.

“If pressure makes diamonds, Detroit is a diamond mine,” says Waajeed. “We use our conditions to lift our students to their best selves.”

ELEMENTS is presented in collaboration with Underground Music Academy, Paxahau, Detroit Techno Foundation, Redbull, and Resident Advisor.

JOIN US HERE

UNDERGROUND MUSIC ACADEMY
2025:

From the Boulevard
to the Stage

If pressure makes diamonds, Detroit is a diamond mine. “As works in progress, we’re the product of pressure and the perfect alchemy of extreme conditions” says @undergroundmusicacademy founder @waajeed “We use our conditions to lift our students to their best selves." Created in collaboration with Carhartt WIP, director Evan Zott explores our 2024 Elements Course alongside promoter and producer of Movement, Paxahau, the Detroit Techno Foundation, and Resident Advisor.

Charting the journey of local talent to Movement Festival performers, Zott’s work offers an intimate look at how education and community can launch careers in electronic music. Centering ideas of motivation, inspiration and resilience, the resulting vignette pays testament to UMA’s work of empowering the next generation of music creators.