Albuquerque High School Students Hit the Rink and the DJ Booth at Seasons of Nonviolence Event
Free skating night and DJ camp give Albuquerque teens a creative outlet
ALBUQUERQUE – Albuquerque high school students rolled into a night of music, creativity, and community Thursday at Skate-O-Mania during a free skating event and DJ Camp hosted as part of the Seasons of Nonviolence initiative.
The event, open to students in grades 9–12, brought teens together for an evening focused on positive engagement and self-expression. Students participated in a hands-on DJ Camp led by local DJs, where they learned the basics of mixing, beat matching, and live performance. The mixes created during the camp were later played throughout the skating session, giving participants the chance to hear their own music fill the rink.
Hosted by the City of Albuquerque’s Community Safety Department (ACS) in partnership with Bernalillo County, Albuquerque City Council, and 99.9 The Beat, the event highlighted creative outlets and safe social spaces for young people across the city.
“Events like this give Albuquerque’s youth a safe place to spend time with friends, learn a fun skill, and try something new,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “When we create opportunities for teens to connect through music, recreation, and mentorship, we’re helping build a stronger and healthier community.”
Two dozen students participated in the DJ Camp while nearly 100 more filled the rink during the free skating session, creating a lively atmosphere powered by music mixed by their peers.
“Providing safe spaces where young people can learn new skills and express themselves is an important part of building healthier communities,” said Bernalillo County Commissioner Chair Adriann Barboa. “Seasons of Nonviolence continues to show how collaboration across our community can create meaningful opportunities for youth.”
“Giving young people opportunities to explore creativity and connect with mentors is a powerful form of violence prevention,” said ACS Public Outreach Coordinator Ismael Vallejos. “Events like this help youth build confidence, relationships, and a sense of belonging in their community.”
Seasons of Nonviolence is a joint initiative between the City of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County focused on reducing violence through youth programs, community engagement, wellness support, and conflict-resolution efforts.