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Rise Academy

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RISE Academy of Entrepreneurship — Full Homepage Updated
Your Passion. Our Guidance. Your Stage.
YOUR PASSION. OUR GUIDANCE. YOUR STAGE.

DJ. Producer. Performer. Sound engineer. Artist manager. Whatever seat you're looking at, RISE trains you for it, with the business know-how to build a real career in the music industry.

2000 Established
0 Major campuses
0 Courses
• NEXT INTAKE, 23 OCT 2026 • APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR 2027
RISE Academy student
RISE Academy studio session
RISE Academy student experience
Music Business Awards Africa nomination — Best Independent Music Education Institution
Creative students learning together at RISE Academy
Student learning in a creative studio at RISE Academy
More than technical training

The craft.The business.

RISE Academy was founded to transform raw talent into marketable, confident and commercially aware creative professionals. Students develop practical ability while learning how to position, promote and grow themselves as sustainable brands.

Hands-on learningPractical, hands-on training focused on real skills and experience
Industry mentorsGuidance from professionals who understand the music industry.
Career mindsetLearn how to turn creative ability into a working business.
Creative communityBuild alongside other ambitious artists and entrepreneurs.
RISE Academy creative experience
Explore the academy

Coursedirectory

Choose a course collection and go directly to the relevant RISE Academy course page. Each path combines practical training, industry guidance and real-world experience

Built for the real world

Student SuccessStories

RISE students leave with more than a certificate. They leave with stronger skills, sharper direction, practical experience and a better understanding of how to move through the creative industry.

DJ Cliff - Themba Nkosi
Rara Lii - Sarra Ndala
Ahlume and Sam - Deaf DJ students
Skelm - Calum Hilton
DJ Melzi - Tumelo Mphai
Nia Brown - Revonia Baitsiwe
Mawhoo - Nontobeko Ngema
Damian Gower
Neil Hunter
Precious Lemmy - Goodluck Precious
Sunde - Sandi Maya
Nyameko Mutsi
Lilnosebleedd - Sibusiso Dhlamini
Phodii - Phodiso Raboroko
Son of Dennis - Tennyson Mangena
BABYGIRL ZAE - Samantha Erasmus
Sheilah Gashumba - Advanced DJ
Student voices

Testimonials

Real experiences from RISE Academy students and families across DJ, music production, live sound, performance and business programmes.

“
RISE Academy is the foundation of my career. I started knowing very little about the music industry, but within a few months I was ready to perform at significant events. RISE covered everything from music history to the business side of the industry.
Martin Solomons DJ PRODUCTION · 2022
“
At RISE, everything is broken down practically - from mixing and signal flow to troubleshooting under pressure. The mentors actually work in the industry, so it was not just theory.
Thabang Lekitlane LIVE SOUND · 2025
“
The guidance, industry education and exposure at RISE are unmatched. I graduated in 2025 at just 16 years old and received an award of honour.
Nathan Govender ADVANCED DJ & MUSIC PRODUCTION · 2025-2026
“
RISE Academy helped me reach a new level in my DJ career and made the opportunities I am involved in today possible. The standard they maintain is worth every bit of the time and money invested.
Tim Wishart ULTIMATE DJ · 2022
“
The team understands the music industry and teaches real, usable skills. I graduated with more confidence and four certificates. Great school, great people.
Khulani Magubane ADVANCED DJ & DJ PRODUCTION · 2025
“
The lecturers were incredibly knowledgeable, and the professional quality of the classes exceeded my expectations. The course helped me advance in creating my own music.
Robynne Bloch MUSIC PRODUCTION · 2022
“
RISE has great mentors, flexible classes and an excellent learning environment. They make sure you develop your abilities - and they give you opportunities to perform on stage.
Andani Sirovha DJ PRODUCTION · 2025
“
RISE listened to Damian's dream and found a way to make it possible despite the challenges presented by his physical disability. With the support of outstanding mentors, he gained the professional skills needed to pursue a career as a DJ.
Damian Gower's family ULTIMATE DJ · 2022
“
I joined RISE at the beginning of the year, learned the fundamentals of DJing and played my first gig four months later. The support from my lecturers and the entire RISE team played a huge role in my growth as an emerging DJ.
Sithembiso Pride Mabena DJ · 2021
“
RISE took our quiet, shy daughter to heights we could not have imagined. Grace performed three times on major stages alongside established names.
Shannon, Grace's mother DJ PRODUCTION · 2018
“
RISE helped me kick-start my performance career at a professional level. The programme developed my professionalism, strengthened my brand and gave me a major confidence boost.
Khanyisa Vava PERFORMANCE · 2022
“
RISE taught me how to pursue my creative passions professionally and how to identify, define and present my brand. It is a professional, inspiring environment filled with creative people.
Kopano Mahlake ENTREPRENEURSHIP · 2022
“
My time at RISE Academy was an amazing experience. My mentor helped me grow creatively and professionally, while the programme deepened my understanding of the music business.
John Menahem Malengele ARTIST PRODUCTION · 2025-2026
“
RISE Academy is exceptional, professional and world-class. The learning environment offers an excellent balance between theory and practical training, which sets the academy apart.
Brandon Namaseb LIVE SOUND · 2022
“
At RISE, I learned the technical aspects of DJing, music production and live sound engineering while gaining the confidence to chase my dreams and make my mark in the industry.
Andiswa Shabalala DJ PRODUCTION · 2023
“
The curriculum, staff and community provide everything you need to grow and succeed. I am grateful for the experience, the graduation milestone and the awards.
Keletso Kotlolo MUSIC BUSINESS · 2025
“
Coming from Lesotho, where access to music schools is limited, studying at RISE was a dream come true. The technology, learning environment and relationships the lecturers build with students were exceptional.
Irene Nagingo PERFORMANCE · 2021
“
RISE taught me about the music industry and how to enter it as a DJ. I also had the opportunity to network and build strong connections with DJs I had admired for years.
Christopher Nagel DJ · 2018
“
RISE gave me more than knowledge and friendships - I had a growing business less than a year later. Thank you for helping me turn my dream into something real.
Laiken Austen DJ · 2016
“
The lecturers explain concepts clearly, the staff are always willing to assist and the environment makes learning enjoyable. I would recommend RISE to anyone wanting to further their education in music.
Chima Anyamele ADVANCED MUSIC PRODUCTION · 2026

Sibusiso (Breeze) Shezi

Lecturer

Breeze aka Zulu Bass King is a musician who brings years of experience in studio, on radio, and on the stage to Rise Academy.
He has had tracks played on major SA radio stations, multiple music nominations, and has performed at some of South Africa’s largest music events. He’s worked with a huge array of top artists such as Nasty C, Soweto Gospel Choir, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo, just to mention a few.

He used to dance and play rugby competitively and loves to run fitness drills with our performance students to get them ready to pull off amazing stage routines.

CHAY COOK

DIGITAL

Chay is a Public Relations practitioner who manages all of the academy’s
communications. Her role combines an enthusiasm for social media, digital
marketing, and music.
She is also on hand to help students with their marketing and PR queries by
ensuring that her door is always open, and if students are lucky there might even be
some peppermint crisp tart up for grabs since her recipe is one of the best.

CHAY COOK

DIGITAL

Chay is a Public Relations practitioner who manages all of the academy’s
communications. Her role combines an enthusiasm for social media, digital
marketing, and music.
She is also on hand to help students with their marketing and PR queries by
ensuring that her door is always open, and if students are lucky there might even be
some peppermint crisp tart up for grabs since her recipe is one of the best.

JAMES VERKERK

LECTURER


James is a DJ who got his start at the age of 16. He brings his onstage energy and
enthusiasm for music to the Rise Academy classroom where he teaches students
everything they need to know about the art of DJing. He is a skilled sound engineer
with a background in recording, producing and mixing.
James also trained as a classical pianist and is an avid surfer.

CRAIG GREEN

CO-FOUNDER

With more than two decades of experience in event organising, planning and logistics, Craig knows the ins and outs of the music world. He brings an invaluable
network of industry contacts to the Rise Academy community.
In 1998, Craig began U-PARTY, an event production and management company assisting schools to raise funds through community events and socials. He holds a BComm degree from the University of the Witwatersrand and is a self- proclaimed lego aficionado.

SUE GREEN

CO-FOUNDER & MD

Sue brings her business acumen and passion for youth development to the academy, which she launched in 2015. She is a savvy consultant who is experienced in coordinating music events that attract young audiences.
Sue’s academic background in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE) piqued her interest in business ethics — a subject she ended up teaching at UCT during the final year of her Honours degree. She also loves cats and practices Jiu-jitsu.

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