Kickin It with Coach Kicks
Atlanta Public School teacher brings Start to DJ Program into school and empowers 4th and 5th graders at Burgess Peterson Academy
Coach Hapa visits Coach Kicks in his classroom and surprises his students
Nick Brooks (DJ Kicks) — Burgess Peterson Academy, Atlanta, GA
This month, we’re proud to spotlight Nick Brooks (DJ Kicks), Certified Campus Coach, General Music Specialist at Burgess Peterson Academy in Atlanta.
Now in his first year running Start to DJ, Nick has already created a strong culture of confidence, creativity, and performance within his elementary music program.
Program Overview
School: Burgess Peterson Academy
Location: Atlanta, GA
Grade Level: 4th and 5th Grade
Years Running Start to DJ: First Year
All 4th and 5th grade students completed Level 1 of Start to DJ this year — laying the foundation for both musical skill development and student leadership.
Building Confidence Through Experience
One of the biggest wins this year came after students participated in their district’s Innovation and Technology Competition.
As Nick shared:
“They all came back to school the next day with so much confidence.”
That confidence continued to grow in the classroom. After completing Level 1, students began taking turns performing for one another — stepping into the spotlight and building presentation skills in a supportive environment.
“Once we finished Level 1, the students would take turns performing in front of each other.”
From Classroom to Collective
Following Level 1, Nick created an advanced club for students continuing into Level 2.
The students formed their own identity, naming themselves the Sol DJ Collective. They designed hoodies and proudly wear them on Fridays.
The collective has since expanded beyond the classroom, performing at:
School events
Local coffee shops
Community restaurants
What began as curriculum has grown into a visible and celebrated presence within the school community.
Educational Impact
Through Start to DJ at Burgess Peterson Academy, students are:
Developing confidence through performance
Strengthening music and rhythm foundations
Practicing collaboration and leadership
Applying technology creatively
Engaging in real-world learning experiences
A Message to Fellow Coaches
Nick offers this advice:
“Get out there and perform with your kids. They look up to you for everything you do. It’s easy to focus solely on guiding their learning and forget to keep sharpening your own skills as a DJ. Don’t lose sight of your growth—keep pushing yourself.”
We appreciate the leadership, energy, and dedication Nick brings to his campus. Burgess Peterson Academy is a strong example of how Start to DJ can create both musical growth and meaningful student confidence.
