WHATCLASS is a revolution in modern music learning. On-demand, bite-size classes directly from the most influential artists in music culture, with insight and skills you can use immediately.
Whether you aspire to perform on the biggest stages or simply explore a personal passion for music-making, WHATCLASS empowers your artistic journey, one class at a time.
Our development process and equitable model means that artists with a passion to share their knowledge are supported and fairly remunerated, guaranteeing constant new classes with real learning value.
And if you want to make it official? Our landmark partnership with the leading exam board ABRSM offers accredited pathways that open doors to universities and industry careers meaning every minute you invest translates into recognized qualifications.
Choose to Learn. Sign up and dive into 50 classes now, for free.Our story
WHATCLASS co-founders Austen & Scott Smart were originally DJs and recording artists in the music industry, whose own underwhelming experiences in school led them on a mission to reinvigorate music education and engage young learners. FutureDJs was created in 2016 to deliver workshops and artist roadshows in schools throughout the UK, with industry leaders like Pioneer DJ (AlphaTheta) soon joining in the mission. With this support, FutureDJs successfully got DJ decks recognised as an instrument at GCSE, and published a DJ learning curriculum with Faber Music.
The need to reach thousands more learners outside of school lessons inspired the creation of the PLAYvirtuoso stage in 2020, with the virtual classroom hosting live sessions to a global audience with icons like Goldie, Andy C, Becky Hill and BBCR1’s Jaguar. This move to video-first led to the development of on-demand artist video courses and a rapidly expanding catalogue.
The vision formed from these foundational experiences of combining engaging artist-led learning with real educational structure came fully to life in 2024 through the development of two landmark partnerships — Courses on Spotify launched, with WHATCLASS closely involved as development partner and music specialist partner, making real learning accessible to millions through the app. Then with ABRSM (the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music), we kicked off the development of multiple new certified learning pathways in modern music, starting with the Learn to DJ series.
The launch of WHATCLASS in 2025 represents all of our experience, learnings and industry support to date, but the mission remains the same - to revolutionise music learning and impact millions, by enabling the best artists in the world to share their knowledge and create real outcomes.
Timeline
2016
FutureDJs founded by Austen and Scott Smart.
2017
Pioneer DJ backs the initiative. Scales into 100+ schools.
2018
Crowdfunding campaign launches. First hires.
2019
LCME graded DJ exams launch. Faber Music - How To DJ published.
2020
Rebrands as PLAYvirtuoso. Expands beyond DJing. Builds world’s first fully immersive music teaching classroom hosting Ghetts and Goldie.
2021
First artist-led course filmed with Eats Everything. Followed by Carl Cox.
2022
Spotify partnership begins.
2023
WHATCLASS thesis published (Oxford University Press).
2024
UCL collaboration on Shaping Futures. Spotify UK pilot and ABRSM DJ exams launch.
2025
WHATCLASS officially launches.