Music has always been my anchor, my joy & safe space.
It’s in my blood, in my spirit & mis caderas (hips).
When there was no one to talk to - music held me.
When I didn’t know how to process emotions - music showed me.
When my body was stiff & scared, my mind angry & afraid - music unfolded me (cue Kehlani).
When I had JOY (getting ready to graduate college) I played Adorn by Miguel.
I would sing & dance around in my room.
Save all my favorite songs on the radio with my tape recorder.
Download Limewire, Napster & Kazaa to get all the jams across all genres.
Make CDs for all my friends. Being gifted CDs by boys who liked me & girls who really saw me. 🙏🏽
I would study lyrics, read about the artist & fall in love even deeper with what I was listening to.
I would play my music loud, in my headphones, in my room, on my iPod & eventually in the car.
That’s when it really felt like freedom.
Nobody, but me & the artist.
I remember construction workers laughing at me at the stop light because I was so into my music. I’m glad I made you smile. 🫶🏽
Dancing, singing, just feeling free.
And I rarely saw others doing that. It was often only at night - on the way to the club.
BTW, there’s nothing like driving around the Bay Area from 9-11 PM when folks are out!
Swishers in the air, blunts & backwoods. Mac Dre, Keyshia Cole.
I was a FREQUENT flier.
From 14 on LOL.
In my junior year at boarding school (outside of Philly) my roommate & I snuck out, got picked up my some older African dudes & went to my first REAL club.
Dollar bills, dancers, lights & grown folks who were ALL about it.
I took dance classes my whole life - ballet, modern, jazz, salsa, hip hop, cumbia, bachata, mergenue.
Music lessons too - piano, guitar, flute & clarinet.
Honestly, most of the Latin music was experienced free-styling. Like blues. And rock.
I’ll never forget the Dave Mathew’s Band SLAYING at Outside Lands.
I literally because a security guard so I could go to more concerts. 😂
When I moved away from home in 2016, I bonded with my first friends in Saint Louis at the club.
I just wanted to dance. And to be around others who also danced.
I wasn’t there for the boys - I was there for the music ALWAYS.
I remember my voice & magic being stifled too.
By my own family.
It be your own people.
That tell you your voice is ugly. To turn it down. To remain silent or pass judgement when you just want to dance & have a good time.
And definitely when you want to play the music.
That was the hardest part for real. Like damn, I deserve to express too.
I’m not trying to take over, I’m good at this.
I can read the room.
I think the best DJs are psychics. I’ve always been one.
Observing, sensing, reading minds & fields.
Peeping feedback - from the body. The nonverbals. What’s said & unsaid.
It’s not about control, it’s about resonance.
From my MySpace profile to the majority of my conversations.
It’s how I bond. How I understand who you are. And what’s important to you.
If we can’t talk music, what are we really talking about?
I wrote raps too. From elementary school. We would chat & share on AIM.
I created my Quinceneara playlist, all by myself. The DJ KILLED IT.
My best friend, a Mexican homie, shared so much Latin magic that my Peruvian Dad didn’t.
I was grateful, because sometimes parents forget - to see their children. To amplify what they naturally gravitate towards.
I say all this to say, if you are a music lover & don’t GAF who’s watching, DJing could save you.
If you’ve been collecting, saving & organizing your music since birth - you’re born for this.
If you DANCE, sing & enjoy music from all over - you’re embodied.
If you have always dreamed of being the one - you are the one.
Sometimes playing an instrument, becoming a professional singer & dancer costs too much energy.
Too much wear & tear.
DJing is a beautiful middle ground. It’s the best of both worlds.
You get to help, encourage & INSPIRE others to move freely.
To express themselves, to remember!
From children, to elders, to the snarky, closed off, cross-armed butthole, who finally cracks a smile. 😂
The postpartum mama who’s trying to get her groove back.
The broken-hearted boy who is all in his feels.
The foreigner, who just wants a taste of home. 🙏🏽
The abuelo who wants MFs to know he was the shit back in the day. (AYEEE!)
The teen or young adult who’s so distraught, they’re about to end their life. (Real talk!)
You literally have no idea how many lives you are saving - by saving your own.
Since beginning my DJ journey:
I’m happier
More fulfilled, confident & MYSELF
Teaching my children (one is a natural - we complete the channel of rhythm)
More magnetic
More REAL friends (other creatives & down ass supporters who are amplifying my / our collective vision)
Invitations! (Private, corporate, community, wellness, educational & cultural - OKAYYY!)
New techniques, tech, software, skills & plugs 🔌
More creative elsewhere (writing, painting, film, workshops, communities)
More sensuality (love, feels, presence & gratitude)
More eyes (cute potential boos, fan-girls & folks who just stop & admire you because you’re GLOWING)
More color (in my home, decor, clothing, facial expressions)
A slower pace of life (more nature, rest, yoga & authentic lanes)
I’m also experiencing:
Less eyes (silence from fam & old friends - shieeeeet we’re making room!)
Less concern, worry & stress
Less consuming & more producing (in this age of information)
Like Mo from Smart Guy when he was supposed to be presenting a class project & was in his head like DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN. 😂
If you stop mid-sentence when the music comes on.
If your body starts moving immediately.
If you’re more concerned with the vibe than anything else.
You’re probably - a DJ.
Now, let’s get that dream started. 🥳
Find a group class.
Get on YouTube.
Find a private instructor.
Start gathering your library in a way that you could share.
Then open your mouth.
Tell people what you’re doing & interested in.
Let the universe support you.
Since I have shared my DJ journey, others have started too.
“Shit, if she can do it, I can do it.”
This isn’t about perfect, It’s about expression.
Yes, it takes time.
Anything good in life, takes time. Or else we wouldn’t know the difference.
Yes, there will be moments when you want to give up.
It’s not easy learning a new skill. Especially tech, because shit it’s beautiful, but also frustrating.
Yes, it’s not easy putting yourself out there.
But if you’ve been dancing & singing your whole life (or playing sports), you already know what mistakes feel like.
You’ll always recover. And you’ll always learn from it.
That’s what having an open mind is all about.
An open heart really.
So if you’ve been debating...
Wresting with past memories, childhood moments & BS (or imaginary) haters - this is your sign.
Don’t worry about:
What you look like
What people will think of you
If you’ll be good or not
Instead focus on:
This being an innate gift.
Trusting your sensitivity.
The freedom.
There is no greater tragedy in life, than not realizing / actualizing your potential.
Nobody on Earth dies happy that they held back.
Period.
Do it for “little you.”
Do it for the parents you wish you had.
The children you DO have.
The circles & people you DO want to be around.
The creators & soon-to-be creators who are looking for inspiration JUST LIKE YOU!
I promise - the doors, connections & opportunities will open.
Keep your head down (or bobbin), put the work in, DOCUMENT.
You gotta listen to yourself. I know it’s scary.
SI SE PUEDE (yes, you can). 🎧
Then, build / connect with a community.
I’m building my own (subscribe for first dibs) & also a part of a local one here in Saint Louis.
On this 2026 Capricorn New Moon Portal - this is big picture shit.
You got this!
Stay Blessed,
Anna Ortiz-Aragon, DJ AO
Song for Vibes:
PS - If you’ve already started your DJ journey or are thinking about it, drop a comment below! 👇🏽
Let us know what worked for you! How it felt! What you still need help with!
I’m so grateful for all the love & resources I’ve received & here to help share more!