About this Training
So you want to learn to DJ?
Join the DTM team to learn the art of conscious dance set creation and develop the essential skills to take full control of the soundscapes you deliver. Whether you want to DJ Ecstatic Dance events, support your conscious dance classes, or curate music for your own retreats, this training is designed for you.
Whether you're a complete beginner, an experienced DJ, or a conscious dance facilitator wanting to learn DJ software, this course meets you where you are. It is designed specifically for dancers.
Join us for a transformative 7-day immersive experience, where our team of professional, internationally recognized Ecstatic Dance DJs and Conscious Dance teachers guide you step by step through our proven curriculum, refined and taught since 2019.
Our comprehensive 9-module program will give you the skills and confidence to become a DJ. You will learn the art of song curation, selection, and placement, while mastering the technical aspects of DJ software to create seamless transitions and craft powerful dance journeys.
We offer both beginner and intermediate groups, allowing you to learn at your own pace. Each participant also receives a comprehensive technical training manual with dedicated space for notes, giving you a resource you can return to for years to come.
Is this for you?
This training is ideal if you...
-
Want to be a DJ!
-
Have attended Ecstatic Dances and want a chance to be behind the decks
-
Are a seasoned DJ keen to step into the world of ecstatic and conscious dance
-
Are a conscious dance facilitator using iTunes/Spotify and are ready to take the leap to DJ software
-
Are an Ecstatic Dance organizer seeking the confidence to DJ their own events
-
Already work with DJ software but want a better understanding of how it works
-
Want to learn alongside peers who understand the unique skills needed to DJ conscious dance, skills often overlooked in traditional DJ academies
-
Want to learn to DJ in a kind, supportive environment where you feel safe asking “stupid” questions
What's Included
A Professional Education
Delivered by a team of experienced conscious dance organizers, facilitators, and DJs.
09 Comprehensive Modules
Based on years of practical experience and taught through a well-structured curriculum. You will also get a full year of free access to the self led version of this course upon graduation!
7 Full Days of Immersive Training
Our 7-day immersive DJ School is a dynamic experience that combines training, music, dance, and opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals.
Hands on Curriculum
The curriculum is hands-on, with personalized one-on-one sessions, Q&A sessions, live demonstrations & more, to ensure each student builds a solid foundation, regardless of experience level.
Technical and Theoretical Knowledge
We teach both the theoretical & technical sides of DJing, covering everything from DJ software basics, set creation, and using DJ controllers, library management, track curation & sourcing, looping & effects, phrasing, playing live, and much more!
Ongoing Community Support
Stay connected with classmates, continue discussions, and share resources via community groups & free monthly calls.
Training Rates
The Full Tuition Fee is €1,895 with several opportunities for discounted registration:
Early Registration Tuition Fee – €1,595
(Available until 10th February 2027 - 60 days before start date).
Portuguese Nationals Rate – €948
(desconto de 50%)
A Dance the Medicine reconhece os desafios financeiros enfrentados por muitos portugueses devido ao aumento do custo de vida e, em resposta, oferece um desconto de 50% nos seus programas de ensino exclusivamente para nacionais portugueses.
We also offer work trade and scholarship opportunities for those seeking financial support or deeper involvement in the training. For more information, click here.
IMPORTANT: For all in-person trainings, participants are required to purchase an add-on package, which is separate from tuition.
This package includes your selected accommodation, a full meal plan, access to all venue amenities, additional venue-related costs, and the fee for your training manual and supplies.
We charge this package separately from tuition so that tuition prices remain consistent, regardless of differences in regional costs, venue pricing, or fee structures.
The Location
Quinta São José dos Montes is a retreat centre in central Portugal, surrounded by mountains and just a short walk from Castelo do Bode Lake. The venue offers fresh, locally sourced vegetarian meals and a range of accommodation options, from cosy rooms in the main building to nature-immersed domes and camping on the farm. Whether you prefer comfort and convenience or a deeper connection with nature, the centre provides an inspiring setting for rest, learning, and renewal. Read more about the venue here.
Accommodation and meals are booked separately from tuition and come as an "add-on package" that includes a full meal plan, access to on-site amenities and supply fees. Options start at €412.
Your Accommodation options are:
ON THE LAND• Camping/Camper Van • €412
Self-sufficient? We provide a nice space for your accommodation set-up and access to shared toilets. PLEASE NOTE There is no electrical hook-up for campers
IN MAIN BUILDING • Dormitory • €468
A single bed in a dorm with up to 7 others, shared indoor bathroom facilities. Bedding, towel, and locker provided.
ON THE LAND • Dome • Shared Double • €605
A single bed in a dome shared with 1 other. Nearby dry toilets, outdoor sinks, and hot showers. Access to a shared kitchen. Bedding & towel provided.
IN MAIN BUILDING • Room • Shared Double • €715
A single bed in a room shared with 1 other. The room has an en-suite bathroom. Access to a shared kitchen. Bedding & towel provided.
IN MAIN BUILDING • Room • Private €990
Your own well appointed private room with a double bed, a private en-suite bathroom and seating area w/access to a shared kitchen. Bedding & towel provided.
ON THE LAND • Deluxe Dome • Private €990
A double bed in a deluxe dome with an ensuite bathroom and in-room bathtub. Access to a shared kitchen. Bedding & towel provided. Wood burner heat.
IN MAIN BUILDING • Apartment • Private €1,072
Your own studio apartment with a double bed. Full private bathroom (with bathtub) and kitchen. Bedding & towel provided.
After booking and paying your deposit our student liaison will assist you in selecting accommodation. For any questions prior to booking, please email info@dancethemedicine.com or see the FAQs below.
Your Instructors
BERNICE RAABIS • Founder of Dance The Medicine
Bernice is on a mission to spread conscious dance communities across the globe. In 2011, she founded Dance Church, a long-running and wildly successful conscious dance in the vibrant mountain town of Nelson, BC, Canada. There, she DJed and facilitated weekly, weaving epic soundscapes into transformative dance experiences that support freedom through connection to self, community, and humanity. In 2019, she set out to gather an epic team of conscious dance professionals, and the Dance The Medicine Team was born, dedicated to providing embodied conscious dance education.
Bernice is a certified Soul Motion facilitator, a student of the Tamalpa Institute, and a relational somatic therapist. Her work is deeply grounded in embodiment, community building, and supporting her students to deliver the specific type of dance medicine they feel called to bring into the world.
To read more about Bernice click here.
ALEX SEVILLA • Ecstatic Dance Madrid & Co Teacher in the DTM DJ School
After more than two decades behind the decks as a club DJ, Alex stumbled upon conscious dance—and everything changed. The encounter transformed both his personal life and professional path. He soon left his career as a computer engineer to become a conscious dance entrepreneur, now dedicated to sharing his love for dance, music, and embodied awareness with the world.
Each time we welcome special guests from the DTM team, who have real-world experience and many years in the ecstatic dance scene, to share their unique approach and skills so you can learn directly from the best.
Click here for a complete list of our team.
WHAT OUR ALUMNI SAY
Maïté, USA
DJ & Producer
The Beginners DJ School not only fulfilled my dream of being a DJ, but it allowed me to develop and create my own music/dance medicine flavour for the world to experience. I'm so excited about what is ahead for me, and I know that I am in good hands: the people I met are so incredible, we will forever be connected and follow each other's journey, and that in itself is a gift!
Héloïse, France
Overall, it went beyond my expectations. I thought I would just learn how to be a DJ. But I found a community, support, and courage to be strong, daring and me! I improved fast and am shocked at where I am today:…I am thankful for the diversity in our group, of age, gender, race and styles, countries and cultures. It was so great to meet all those people, not even knowing what job they might have, but knowing what music they dance to!
Hester, The Netherlands
The training was a great continuation of my (limited) experience of Traktor and as a Conscious DJ. To learn from well experienced DJ’s is a gift. The joy and ease in their teaching is contagious. Sooo much information is shared, including all that they wrote in the manual, for you to play with, and to continue with after the training. Worth every cent...I really enjoyed it. And now it's up to me...THANK YOU !!
More Info
Arrival and departure times
Please note: arrival and departure times are subject change.
ARRIVAL
On Sunday, April 11th, check-in starts at 16:00. Allow time to check in, explore the grounds and settle in before our first dinner at 18:00.
DEPARTURE
On Saturday, April 17th, we will share one last meal together at 13:00 before we all depart at 14:00.
How to get to Quinta São José dos Montes
ADDRESS
Quinta São José dos Montes
Estrada Municipal
530-1 nº 134, 2300-087
Tomar
CONTACT
(+351) 917 935 392
CLOSEST AIRPORTS
Lisbon Airport: The nearest airport, offering both domestic and international flights. It is approximately 140 km (88 miles) from the retreat center, or about a 1.5-hour drive.
ARRANGED TRANSPORT
We will arrange a round-trip minibus departing from Lisbon and returning after the training. If you plan to use this service, we recommend booking flights that land before 13:00 and depart after 20:00. The cost for this transport is €75. You can add this to your booking during checkout closer to the training date. For any questions or additional information, please contact info@dancethemedicine.com.
SELF-TRANSPORT
Quinta São José dos Montes is located 150 km north of Lisbon (roughly a 1.5-hour drive). Alternatively, you can reach the retreat center by a combination of train and taxi. The cost is approximately €40 each way (€10 for the train from Lisbon to Tomar and €30 for a taxi). When you register, you’ll be added to a WhatsApp group where you can arrange ride shares or coordinate with others for shared taxis from the train station.
What to bring
TECH & GEAR
-
Laptop
-
DJ controller — for questions, email info@dancethemedicine.com
-
DJ headphones
-
Bag or backpack to carry your DJ gear
-
Cables, stands or gear you need to DJ
CLOTHING & ITEMS
-
Headlamp or head torch to walk around at nightClothing suitable for dancing (we’ll dance numerous times a day, both inside and outside
-
Other clothing, including layers as it can get cold at night! (Especially for those in ON THE FARM accommodation
-
Shoes suitable for walking on natural ground in a rural setting
-
Swimsuit and towel for the pool and the lake
-
Comfortable and appropriate outdoor shoes to walk/dance outside (lots of nature to explore)
-
Dress up for a fun night; not fancy, just fun. Bring something if you enjoy dressing up
OTHER
-
Toiletries
-
Refillable water bottle
-
Pens and markers
-
Ear plugs and eye mask (if sharing accommodation)
-
Talisman (or sacred item) for the community altar
FAQ
→ I'm coming from abroad. Do I need a visa to enter Portugal?
Most likely not, but be sure to check with your own government and your specific requirements to enter.
→ Can I come on my own?
Absolutely! Most of our participants actually come on their own, and many do not know anyone else who is coming. This training is inclusive, and we strive to create a culture of belonging through group exercises and daily sharing circles.
→ Do I need a DJ controller?
Yes, for this training you will need to bring a DJ Controller. We recommend the Pioneer DDJ-FLX4 if you are just starting out, though you are welcome to bring any controller you prefer. Please ensure you have DJ software installed on your computer that is compatible with your controller. If you would like support in choosing a controller, please email info@dancethemedicine.com.
→ What DJ software do you teach?
The landscape of music has changed significantly in recent years, and this includes DJ software. In response, DTM has diversified its teaching model to support students using Serato, Rekordbox, and djay by Algoriddim. For those joining as complete beginners, we recommend starting with Traktor Play. While the majority of our teaching team primarily use Traktor Pro and Rekordbox, they are able to support all major professional DJ software platforms.
→ Is this a beginner's training?
The DTM in-person DJ School offers training ideal for supporting both complete beginners and conscious dance professionals with some DJ-ing experience. We provide personalised 1-on-1 sessions during the training and at times will divide participants into groups based on skill level.
→ Will I receive a certification?
Yes, after successful completion of the in-person part of the training, you’ll receive a certificate of completion for this course. Certificates are sent as a PDF on request.
→ What's your cancellation & refund policy?
Cancellations on your part are non-refundable, but deposits can be transferred to a future DTM event. All in-person trainings require a minimum of 15 participants to proceed. If this number isn’t met, your payment will be fully refunded. We encourage you to insure your travel tickets, as DTM can’t take responsibility for travel cancellation costs.
→ If I can no longer make it, can I transfer my payments to another event?
If you can not make the training you have signed up for we are happy to transfer your payments to another event or keep it in trust until you are ready to take the training. We will honour this for up to a year. If you want to transfer your booking to someone else, there's a €100 admin fee. If the event is full, and you want us to sell your spot, we'll keep your deposit and refund the balance only if we find a full-paying replacement. Booking transfers and posts on our social media are allowed only when the training is fully booked.
→ What are the payment requirements and do you have payment plans?
A non-refundable deposit is required to book and secure your place. Balance due 15 days before the retreat starts. Please carefully read our Event Terms & Conditions as by booking on our retreat, you become legally bound by these terms. We offer flexible payments plans, please inquire with info@dancethemedicine.com.
→ I'm not sure which path is right for me. Can you please advise me?
Absolutely! Simply send us an email at info@dancethemedicine.com or book a 30 minute consultation with Bernice.
The Curriculum
Module 01 • THE BIG PICTURE
→ Introduction to the team and your cohorts
→ DTM's Conscious/Ecstatic Dance Set Creation Model (aka the 'The Magic Carpet Ride')
→ Demystify DJ Software
Module 02 • IMPORTING + PREFERENCES
→ Importing: Best practices for getting music into your software
→ Learn how to fine-tune preferences and configure your setup
→ Group continuity: Ensuring all are ready for the technical segment of the training
Module 03 • SET CREATION + BROWSER
→ Introduction to set creation, with focus on crafting the ‘Body of the Set’
→ Exploring set creation tools, and what determines the “energy level” of a track
→ A deeper dive into the browser and smart library organisation and file management
Module 04 • CONTROLLERS + INTRO TO PRE-CUEING
→ DJ controllers/consoles fundamentals
→ Getting the hang of pre-cueing
→ Intro to counting music
Module 05 • TRACKS + DECKS
→ Tracks! When to use them, how to find them, and where to buy them!
→ Demystifying track formats and golden tips for track selection
→ Deck layout, track decks, and waveform
Module 06 • INTRO TO TRANSITIONS
→ Introduction to the phrasing
→ Understanding how the filter function
→ Top tips, shortcuts and lowering stress, so you can have more fun!
Module 07 • FOUNDATIONAL TRANSITION SKILLS + MIXER
→ Intro to three basic transitions: intro/outro, drop on the 1 and syncing
→ Deep dive into the mixer/EQ section of you software and controller
→ Transition demo with tracks selected by students
Module 08 • MORE TRANSITIONS SKILLS
→ Stacking transition skills to create seamless mixes
→ Skilful looping to mix tracks
→ Incorporating effects for even better transitions
Module 09 • ONWARD
→ Filling in the gaps: Best practices to step into the world as a DJ
→ Extra bits of wisdom and personal top tips from our DJ Coaches
→ We will end our time together with a graduation ritual