Rob Wegner is among the most accomplished open-format DJs today, but he’s much more than that. He is also a music producer who established the first college-accredited DJ degree at SCC (Scottsdale Community College). Rob possesses a master's degree in political science and is involved in several socio-political activities. He describes himself as politically progressive, pro-veteran, anti-misogynist, anti-racist, pro-environment, pro-animal rights, and pro-European Union.
Beginnings
Rob Wegner learned to DJ at age 18 by drumming at a well-known east coast nightclub. He drummed five hours a night, four nights a week, over the resident DJ’s dance records, before a large audience on the dance floor. He says the experience allowed him to develop a metronome in his brain and later helped improve his beat/blend-mixing skills when he became a DJ.
When he moved to Arizona, Rob was able to hold DJ residencies in some of the biggest nightclubs in Phoenix—Zazoo and Club 411 for six years, Barcelona for seven years, and Axis-Radius for two years.
Education
Rob Wegner spent his undergraduate studies at Arizona State University (ASU). During that time, he interned for US Senator Dennis DeConcini (D-Arizona) and worked on his reelection campaign.
In 1997, he earned his Master of Arts degree in political science from ASU. His thesis focused on Southern Africa’s political economy and its relationship to the destabilization efforts, Cold War-related proxy wars, and indebtedness to global institutions like loans from the World Bank and IMF. Dr. Patrick McGowan, his thesis chair, offered Rob the opportunity to teach at the University of Witwatersrand while earning a Ph.D. However, Rob had to decline because of his father's death in 1998.
DJ lessons
In 2000, Rob Wegner, B.S., M.A., launched his Disc Jockey 101 website. It’s probably the first website to have offered DJ lessons online, intending to guide new DJs on proper techniques. The website became popular worldwide. Prompted by a letter from Hong Kong asking about learning to DJ at college, Rob approached Scottsdale Community College's (SCC) music department about the possibility of offering DJ classes.
His first class at SCC in 2001 had a great turnout, so it was offered again for several semesters thereafter. The strong interest and high enrollment rates in both DJ classes resulted in Rob’s ‘Introduction to Disc Jockey Techniques’ course becoming the first college-accredited DJ class in the world by the fall of 2004. Rob Wegner authored and launched other accredited DJ classes and created a DJ degree with help from the most respected and talented DJs in Phoenix.
Life after teaching
In 2014, Rob was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and had to stop teaching. Despite this, he carried on his love of music by focusing on creating original DJ-centric eclectic music in all genres. He was responsible for commercial hit songs like 420 Agent, Cannoli, and Structure, and production songs like The Sports (Fight) Song and Penguin.
About the Author:
Rob Wegner is a DJ and Music Producer who has released many hit songs and music videos. He has established the world’s first college-accredited DJ degree at Scottsdale Community College (SCC). He was awarded SCC outstanding adjunct faculty employee of the year 2013-14. Also, he was selected as one of the world's 36th most influential Club DJs in 2002 by DJ Reporter Magazine.
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