SEMA
Santuri Electronic Music Academy (SEMA)
SEMA blends progressive pedagogy with innovative curricula, that gives as much space to traditional artistic practices
as it does to contemporary experimentation.
Our dynamic educational programming offers SEMA learners new insights and perspectives around electronic music culture
and its role in civic impact.
In 2023, SEMA received the IMC Music Award — as sub-saharan Africa’s first laureate.
SEPTEMBER INTAKE
IMP
Intermediate Music Production
Five weeks in the studio for producers ready to move past the fundamentals. IMP takes you deep into Ableton workflow, sound design and synthesis, sampling, mixing and mastering, and the culture and business side of the industry — closing with a collaborative final project and a listening session to celebrate it.
Applications are open for our next intake.
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Session times: 1:00–5:00pm or 6:00–8:30pm,
Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays
October 7th to November 6th 2026
DJ102
Advanced DJ Course
The next step after DJ101 — five weeks of advanced, hybrid-focused DJing for graduates ready to move beyond the basics.
You'll build stem-based live remixing skills, full CDJ fluency, MIDI mapping and finger drumming, layered effects, scratching, and the business grounding to work professional rooms.
Applications are open for our next intake.
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SEMA:
Electronic Music Production
SEMA's production courses run on Ableton Live, with Bitwig and FL Studio also featured across modules
— so you're building skills that translate across the industry, not locked to one tool.
Beginner Music Production (BMP)
No prior musical experience required. BMP takes you from zero to a finished track — sound design basics,
arrangement, mixing fundamentals, and your first releasable idea.
Built on SEMA's project-based learning approach, so you're producing from day one.
NEXT INTAKE: APRIL 2027
Intermediate Music Production (IMP)
For BMP graduates or producers with foundational Ableton/DAW experience. Five weeks moving from Ableton workflow fundamentals
into sound design and synthesis, sampling, composition and arrangement, mixing and mastering,
and the industry/culture side of the craft — closing with a collaborative final project.
SEPTEMBER INTAKE: NOW ONGOING
Advanced Music Production (AMP)
For producers ready to professionalize their sound — advanced mixing and mastering, complex sound design,
live performance production (Session View, hardware integration), and preparing a release-ready portfolio.
Graduates plug into SEMA's alumni network for studio time,
gear hire, and showcase opportunities.
NEXT INTAKE: APRIL 2027
SEMA: DJ Courses
DJ101
Your entry point into deejaying — no previous experience needed. DJ101 covers the full foundation:
software and keyboard shortcuts, beatmatching, DJ equipment and signal flow,
your first recorded demo, and the business basics of deejaying,
all alongside wellness and wellbeing support built into the course.
NEXT INTAKE: APRIL 2027
DJ102
The next step after DJ101 — five weeks of advanced, hybrid-focused DJing. See the full September Intake schedule above for the week-by-week breakdown: stems and live remixing, CDJ mastery, MIDI mapping and finger drumming, advanced effects, scratching, and the business of deejaying at a professional level.
Prerequisites: DJ101 or equivalent experience
SEPTEMBER INTAKE ONGOING
Apply or Stay Updated
Ready to join SEMA? Applications for the September intake are open now — spaces are limited and DJ102 requires prior DJ101 experience or equivalent, so apply early.
Can't join this round? Follow us on socials and sign up to the newsletter — we'll let you know as soon as the next intake opens.
Santuri East Africa
The Mall - Westlands
Ring Road Westlands, Nairobi County, Kenya
SEMA in Sanara
SEMA is dedicated to the upskilling of music practitioners, ensuring they can build vibrant, self-sustained livelihoods. With a commitment to intersectional inclusion, SEMA seeks to
create opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds, ensuring that students have
access to the resources and support they need.
By employing a learning-by-doing pedagogical approach, SEMA will play a crucial role in the Sanara program skilling for work, while fostering empowered and skilled audio technicians across the region.
SEMA was one of the 21 skilling partners in the Sanara program, which comes to an end in 2026. Over the course of three years, we have successfully trained 300 individuals in Deejaying and Music Production courses and workshops, equipping each learner with the necessary skills to kickstart their careers. SEMA is also commited to availing work opportunities to the Sanara graduates through our internal resourses and partners.
About Sanara
Sanara is inspired by the Swahili words sanaa (arts) and biashara (business). This
exciting, inclusive program designed for young women and men in Kenya’s creative and
cultural industries aims to enable access to dignified and fulfilling work.
In partnership with Mastercard Foundation, the consortium of
HEVA, SNDBX, Baraza Media Lab and GoDown Arts Center,
have launched this 3-year program to offer opportunities for financing,
skilling programs and infrastructure, and the adoption of
sustainable practices that advance safer working environments.
For more information visit:
hevafund.com/sanara
Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQs)When does the next course start?
- Our next offerings will be communicated via our social media platforms and newsletter.
- Follow us on socials and sign up to our newsletter to stay updated.
REQUIREMENTS
Do I need to be a musician or have any musical experience?
- It depends on your course of study. For example, no previous musical experience is required for SEMA’s BMP and DJ101 courses but is necessary for TTT.
Do I need a laptop?
- Having access to your own personal laptop that you can bring to class is preferable. Nonetheless, SEMA’s wide equipment inventory also has computers that students can use.
What software do I need?
- SEMA’s production courses are primarily administered on Ableton. That being said, a variety of Digital Audio Workstations [DAWs] such as Bitwig and FL Studio also feature across modules within the programs.
- DJ101 is facilitated using Traktor. Industry equivalence through the coverage of Serato and CDJs also equip students with what they need to launch a career.
Once I apply, how long will it take to get accepted?
- The SEMA Admissions Team will contact you within 4 weeks of receiving and reviewing your application.
GENERAL
What courses do you offer?
- SEMA offers music production courses at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. We also offer DJ courses at the beginner level, with intermediate and advanced levels to come.
- All SEMA curricula are expansive and in-depth, tackling the technical fundamentals, the aesthetic elements of electronic music culture, music business, wellness & wellbeing, and lots more!
How do I apply for a SEMA course?
- By filling in the SEMA Application Form for the course you wish to study.
- Depending on the course level, you will need to share some information about your interest and experience in music production or deejaying, demonstrate that you share Santuri’s core values, and are able to settle your full tuition fee.
- We also run a SEMA Scholars program, for outstanding applicants with limited resources. Some SEMA courses are fully scholarship-sponsored. Stay tuned to www.santuri.org/courses for more details.
What will I receive after completing my course of study?
- You will receive a SEMA certificate. Santuri’s reputation is global, having strong partnerships with key music technology players globally, and a network of festivals, labels, music platforms, and further education establishments.
- Students who successfully complete their respective course can have the opportunity to join the lively SEMA Alums program.
- This grants you access to studio time, gear hire, showcase opportunities, and continued support and guidance in your music career.
After attending SEMA, what can I do with the skills I have learned?
- Previous SEMA Alums have gone on to a variety of careers and opportunities. Ranging from producing professionally, signing to labels, regional and international tours, working in studios, teaching music production and deejaying, and beyond. Follow our socials for more of what our SEMA Alums are up to!
Are Santuri and SEMA the same thing?
- The Santuri Electronic Music Academy (SEMA) is the educational stem of Santuri East Africa. Santuri is a music innovation hub that offers studio services, gear hire, events, curation, research, consultancies, community building, on top of music production and DJ courses at SEMA.
What’s so special about SEMA, anyway?
- SEMA is designed and implemented by artists, producers, and DJs who have a deep connection to alternative and innovative music, and a strong sense of community purpose. We adopt a progressive pedagogy based on Project Based Learning, so students are always hands-on with their own studies - this is not a traditional classroom.
- Each student is challenged to surpass their own expectations, and encouraged to develop critical thinking about the work they produce and the industry they wish to be a part of. Santuri also intentionally addresses the gender imbalance in the music scene and highly encourages diverse applications showcasing the vibrance of East African music culture.
Some direct questions we’ve received:
Some SEMA programs are courses that you have to pay for, while others are “free.” What is the difference?
If a student is not able to clear the fees before orientation, are there flexible payment plans offered?
- SEMA is the leading electronic music academy in East Africa. We previously were offering students stipends to attend, though transitioned into a paid course model and are now offering courses at fees that are affordable for our community. As such, our market friendly fee is already a perk compared to regional and global institutions.
If a student is not able to clear the fees before orientation, are there flexible payment plans offered?
- It is mandatory that applicants settle their enrollment fee in order to be onboarded onto their desired course. However, we are a reasonable team, and if there are urgent or extenuating circumstances, we can look into flexible payment options.
(note: this may incur an additional fee and remains within SEMA’s discretion)
Are there work placements or applied work experience that you receive with the course, or is it purely educational without industry engagement?
- There are many industry interactions through our extra-curricular and Santuri/ SEMA-wide activities, events, and programs. These include opportunities to showcase your work via our networks, perform at local venues, interact with international communities and platforms such as CDR, Oroko Radio, Currents FM, Beneath the Baobabs, Kilele Summit, and more.
- For DJs, we have offered opportunities at pristine locations like Jenga Jungle, Unseen, The Mist, Shelter KE and Beneath the Baobabs festival. Our music production graduates have performed on international stages like Suoni Per Il Popolo, Nyege Nyege, CTM Festival, Sonar Festival and top local venues. SEMA also offers niche opportunities such as live film scoring, soundtracking, and artist residencies.
If someone may have a day job or a full-time job, are there sessions that could be set up for them to learn either part-time, evening or on weekends?
- SEMA is currently in the process of formulating alternatives suitable for working students that will be communicated through our socials and newsletter once designed.
How can I get in touch with your admissions team?
- The best place to begin is by filling out the application form for your respective course at SEMA.
- If you need to get in touch with the SEMA Admissions Team, email us at admissions@santuri.org and we will try to answer any questions you have.
The final decision to grant admission to any applicant lies solely with the
Santuri Electronic Music Academy.
SEMA reserves the right to refuse admission to any applicant based on its own criteria and discretion.
Santuri East Africa
Basement, The MallWestlands, Nairobi, Kenya