Heaps Decent: A Transnational Network For Australian Youth

Heaps Decent is a transcontinental partnership between Australian DJs Andrew Levins and Nina Aqzarian, and American DJ, Diplo. Established in 2007, the organization was founded to nurture and engage talented Australian youth from indigenous and marginalized backgrounds through music education by connecting youth with the international music industry. Heaps Decent first organized workshops at youth centers across Sydney and regional New South Wales, resulting in a workshop collaboration with Diplo’s Mad Decent label that paired globally-inspired musicians like M.I.A. with young talent.

In 2008, Andrew Levins and Nina Aqzarian brought Heaps Decent to the classrooms of Key College, an independent high school in Surry Hills, Sydney which operates under the auspices of Youth Off The Streets. Each week students are given a diverse music lesson that covers hands-on DJ training, songwriting, and music production. Heaps Decent is planning song and poetry workshops in schools with The New South Wales Reconciliation Council in 2010.

Fuzzy, Australia’s premiere music events and promotions company stepped in as Heaps Decent’s main partner and benefactor, providing annual funding to Heaps Decent for staff, administration, and legal matters. Industry guests at any Fuzzy events are able to make a contribution of $20. The donations go to furthering Heaps Decent’s mission across Australia. With this type of financial support, the organization is able to take things to the next level and travel to seek out other youth communities in Australia who desire to make music.

Heaps Decent