There are a few reasons why I'm regarded as one of the best DJs in my area. Some of my greatest attributes as a DJ are:
1. First and foremost- my years of experience- I've DJed over 400 gigs of ALL kinds: weddings, private events, corporate parties, fundraisers, college/university parties, clubs/bars, outdoor/pool parties, fashion shows, even celebrity/VIP parties, and I've held weekly residencies at some of the top clubs in NYC and Boston. I've also won several awards while DJing at clubs in NYC. And I've been doing it for over 15 years now, non-stop.
2. Adapting the music to fit the crowd, or as DJ's say, "reading the crowd". I keep note of what kind of songs people respond to, and play the next set of songs accordingly. Successfully "reading the crowd" means being able to play the right songs in the right order and at the right time, regardless of the crowd or the event. I have so much great music I'm always able to find something that will get people on the dance floor and keep them dancing.
3. The amount of time I spend preparing before each performance. I dig through my enormous collection of music and print out a 4- to (sometimes) 10-page list of songs that I might play that night, and add important notes about each song: the tempo, its genre, the musical key of the song, what time the vocals start and when the bass line kicks in, which songs sound great when they are mixed together, etc.
4. I am extremely skilled at "beat matching", which means smoothly blending songs together from one song to the next, thereby keeping the tempo of the music constant. Often people don't even notice one song has ended and a new song has started. I also add sound effects, remix songs "on the fly", and insert samples, all while controlling the lights at the same time. My ability to seamlessly blend and mix songs into one another both keeps the energy, tempo and "vibe" constant throughout the party, but most importantly, it keeps people dancing all night long!
5. My enormous music collection (I've amassed 20,000+ of the best dance songs ever made from just about every genre, from the 50's to the present) and my taste in *great dance music*. I know taste in music is subjective but I've learned that when it comes to music that keeps people dancing and having fun versus music that people don't respond to as well, *good* dance music is really not so subjective after all!
6. Because I DJ "live" using digital turntables, there is a visual aspect to my craft as well: people often like to watch me manipulate the music as I mix between songs. This is opposed to the growing popularity of DJs who rely solely on laptops; the running joke is that "laptop DJs" look like they're checking their email, not DJing. Since their computers automatically do all the work for them (and often "crash" in the middle of a DJ set!), there are TONS of "laptop DJs" out there who are often very young and thus lack the experience, knowledge of music, and DJ skills that I have perfected over the past 15 years. FYI I am 38 years old, and thus I am very familiar with all the hit songs from the 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's and 00's, as well as current Top 40 songs (in addition to weddings and other private events, I also regularly DJ in Boston clubs and bars for younger crowds, so I constantly keep up with all the current hits). So when choosing a DJ for your event, don't be fooled by newcomers who may boast about having a million songs on their laptop. Considering music is one of the most important aspects at any event, you want to make sure you hire someone who has plenty of experience, skills and, above all, great taste in music!
7. Lastly, my passion for music and creating a fantastic dance party. I love a great party like everybody else, but I like it even more when I'm DJing! Honestly, there's nothing I enjoy more than sharing my music with a fun crowd and providing a truly memorable experience!
I DJ more for my love of music than for the money, which is why my rates are very affordable compared to other professional DJs. Honestly, there's nothing I enjoy more than sharing my music with a fun crowd and creating a fantastic dance party! I don't mean to brag, but I've been told countless times, "You're the best DJ I've ever heard!", and it's because I enjoy what I do so much. Finally, I love DJing because every event and every crowd is different, so I get to play different music every time. Trust me- I promise your guests will have a great time!
