#50 Phi Pham: Turning Beats into Opportunities — How Building Beats Empowers Youth Through Music, Community, and Leadership

Phi Pham is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Building Beats, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering young people through DJing, digital music production, and creative workshops that integrate entrepreneurial, leadership, and life skills. Since its founding in 2009, Building Beats has reached thousands of youth across New York, Los Angeles, and beyond, helping them discover their creative voice while preparing them for success far outside the music studio.

In this episode, Phi shares how his journey as a DJ and music producer led him to see DJs not only as entertainers but as community organizers—bringing people together, sparking movements, and building culture. That perspective became the foundation for Building Beats, where music becomes both a passion and a tool for personal growth.

Phi reflects on the early challenges of launching a music-focused nonprofit, including shifting from a grant-giving vision to hands-on teaching and building sustainable models where schools directly invest in programming. By approaching the nonprofit like a small business—treating schools and students as clients—Building Beats ensures accountability, quality, and long-term impact.

We also dive into the role of technology in shaping music education: from the days of Winamp, CDs, and mashups, to the rise of MP3s, Serato, and social media, and now into a future transformed by AI music tools. Phi explains how technology continually reshapes DJ culture and how Building Beats adapts, ensuring that youth learn not only music but also digital fluency and resilience.

A highlight of our conversation is the story of Jada, a student from Far Rockaway who began as a high school participant and eventually became a teacher and leader for Building Beats’ Los Angeles programs. Stories like hers illustrate how music workshops can grow into pathways of leadership, mentorship, and community change.

Phi emphasizes that impact isn’t just about numbers: It’s about transformation. Whether working with students in schools, youth in transitional housing, or young people navigating the justice system, Building Beats creates spaces where passion meets possibility. The organization also embraces cultural relevancy, designing lessons around artists, platforms, and trends that resonate with students today—from TikTok challenges to K-pop and anime.

Looking forward, Phi envisions a “Building Beats University”—a place where learning is driven by passion, whether in music, skateboarding, design, or digital creation. With unlimited resources, he would scale interest-based education that empowers students to “learn what they love until they love to learn.”

This episode is an inspiring look at how music, technology, and community can combine to shape the next generation of leaders. Phi reminds us that while algorithms and AI may influence creativity, authentic human connection and shared passion will always remain at the heart of transformation.

About Phi Pham

- https://buildingbeats.org/

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00:00 Introduction to Building Beats and Its Mission

07:00 Transformative Stories: Impact on Students

09:24 Challenges in Nonprofit Music Education

12:57 The Role of Music in Life Skills Development

17:56 Sustainability and Business Mindset in Nonprofits

22:00 Impactful Partnerships and Collaborations

22:50 Transformative Impact on Students' Lives

29:40 Engaging the Next Generation

36:04 Building a Community of Creatives

41:55 The Soundtrack of Building Beats