12/04/2025
5 years ago this week I posted my first DJ set on Mixcloud.
To mark the anniversary each year, I like to reflect on my DJ and dance journey:
# # Year in review
This year, I was grateful especially for the opportunity to visit new countries and communities (Zouk Diverse in Poland, the Prague Zouk Marathon in the Czech Republic, and the Honolulu Zouk Marathon), to connect with new styles of movement and dance (through Mind Movement Magic, and Lambazouk Boston), and for familiar mainstays (especially RVA Zouk Movement Weekender Hybrid, Zouk Heat, Interfusion Festival, and NYC Zouk Festival).
As always, my deepest thanks to the organizers who trusted me to craft musical experiences this year and to anyone who shared a moment connection with me (on or off the dance floor, in-person or online). Appreciate all of you ❤️
I am also grateful for the students who I got the opportunity to work with, whether in DJ KRON's webinar, online / in-person chats, or in private lessons. I hope you reached an "ah-ha" moment or found a nugget of inspiration to bring forward on your DJ journey.
# # Looking forward
In previous years I have focused on things like consistency, growth, and experimentation. This next year, I would like to channel "experiencing, rather than performing".
Rather than chasing outcomes (metrics, follows, likes, BZDC points), I'll be aiming to be more in the moment; co-creating moments of joy or silliness, and setting the space to make raw, real, art on the dance floor. Instead of trying to fit into the boxes built by others, I want to authentically reconnect with what I love about music and dance.
What this means is still uncertain but, whatever it means, I'm looking forward to creating on *my* terms. I hope you'll join me for the adventure!
# # PSAs
Before I warp up, some final thoughts and obligatory reminders:
**Support your DJs** - Tag us in videos, posts, and stories when you dance to / enjoy our music (it's free!) And if you play our music at your local events, don't forget to tip!
**F*ck Gatekeeping** - You don't become a "real" DJ by using certain gear, playing a certain venue, or reaching a certain number of followers, etc. You become a photographer by taking photos, you become an artist by making art, and you become a DJ by DJing. Similarly, you don't have to have a certain background, or look a certain way to be a dancer of your genre. You are a dancer through the sheer act of dancing.
**Don't outsource creativity** - It is tempting take shortcuts to making art but the *point* of art isn't the final product, it's the process. It is the unique lens you view the world through, applied to your craft (mistakes and all) to create something that is authentically "you".
Thanks for reading, for listening, and for connecting with me. It's been another wild year; I'll see you in the next one!
Happy Zouking ❤️
