Aspiring disc jockeys who have spent countless hours dancing in dark clubs now have the opportunity to step behind the turntables, for free, at the DJ Arts Academy.

With a location in the Mission and one in South San Francisco, the school offers 30-minute lessons on how to become a DJ for anyone who is interested.

"Almost everybody (who comes in here) has no experience," said owner Troy Farol, 30. "But as long as people are opened up to the art, that's all that matters. And if they pick something up in there, they're going to come back here to learn more."

After the business talk is through, the spinning begins.

Farol describes how to find the right tempo and use of the crossfader, to cut back and forth between two tracks that spin on the turntable. Slapping a pink sticker onto a seemingly random spot on a record, Farol explains how the process allows him return to a certain drum beat or melody.

Most people, he says, are too delicate with the records.

"You can be rough with it and not damage it," Farol said. "I love the feel of a record and the control you have."

In addition to the 30-minute tutorial, the academy offers digital mixing and production classes. On Fridays, students can drop in and practice on the turntables that greet them as soon as they open the door.

Today, 10-year-old Keilani Alvarez mixes the Black Eyed Peas, repeating the phrase "I'm so 2008, you're so 2000 and late" over and over. Farol jokes that Alvarez, who is not yet a student but the daughter of a friend, is "on her way."

Students come to the school from all around the Bay. One student, Farol mentioned, makes a bus trek from Hayward four times a week.

Farol has a variety of people mixing on his tables, from those in grade school, to one student who is blind.

"It's amazing how he sounds -- his hearing is ridiculous," Farol said. "He can mix pretty damn clean. He just has to feel the record out and then he's good to go."

A unique feature of the academy is that turntables and CD decks are available for students to use at any time for free, as long as they make an appointment (except for walk-ins on Fridays).

"[The DJ Arts Academy] was a well-rounded candidate when I was looking for a DJ school, because Troy had so many options for people starting from scratch, to people who are looking for more skills" student Nima Mostafavi said. "He's so chill and he relates to you."