A Dumbarton-based organisation is helping those who dream of making a career for themselves in the music industry a reality.

THE music world has changed dramatically in recent years with DJs assuming the role of music superstars previously only held by rock and pop artists. SKapade Studios – pronounced escapade – are providing budding artists from West Dunbartonshire and further afield with the know-how to make it into the creative industries with music production courses.

The state of the art independent music studio uses "dance music as a vehicle to help people achieve their dreams", according to 25-year-old co-founder Steven Galloni.

SKapade also teach; the art of DJ'ing, events management, goal-setting, introduction to self-employment, teamwork and personal development.

Steven and 27-year-old Stephen Kirkwood, both former pupils at Dumbarton Academy, officially launched the business just a year ago. Stephen Kirkwood has been a well-respected DJ on the techno and trance scene for a number of years, he has also managed to get the Prince's Trust on-board with SKapade.

Since launching SKapade it has gone from strength-to-strength and the pair have been invited to give inspirational talks to more than 5,000 school pupils and held an event at Glasgow University to inspire entrepreneurial business students.

Steven Galloni, who also performs stand -up comedy as well as acting as the company's sales manager, admits that starting the business was risky.

He said: "I was working in a call centre but also in the studio at night, sometimes until the early hours of the morning and I just thought, something's got to give and I saved up some money and took a leap of faith and the rest is history. I believed in what Stephen was doing but I didn't think it would take off in the way it has.

"It's about getting young people to chase down their dreams and that it is possible to reach your goals. You don't have to be Calvin Harris. It isn't just local people who are turning to us. We have people getting involved in lessons through Skype from as far away as Mexico and Argentina. Dance music is the vehicle for most of our work but it's so much more than that and more of an educational platform. We are trying to change the way that education works and offer something that you won't learn at school. We wanted to create a platform that we personally never had growing up.

"It's innovative and we don't come across as teachers but more as bigger mates."

SKapade held an open day recently and will be running an eight-week "Get Started" course over the summer months. These can be accessed through enterprise organisations such as Y Sort-It and Tullochan and these courses are free. They also provide private tutoring.

Steven can be working up to 16 or 17 hours a day but he thinks it's a small price to pay to do a job he loves. He added: "We don't like to turn anyone away. It is ultimately hard work that gets you where you want to be."

Search Facebook for SKapade Studios where you can find more information or contact them by phone through the "call now" button or leave a message.