What began as watching electronic videos and electronic dance music concerts on Youtube, DJing has evolved into a passion for sophomore Chris Ambrozich. Ambrozich first connected with music by watching videos and was inspired to explore his passion through DJing.
Ambrozich teamed up with two friends who had started a local company, Passaria DJs. The trio collaborates to produce and mix music and share their passion with others. From playing sets at Stella’s Fish Cafe in Uptown on Saturday nights to keeping busy with weddings and corporate events, Ambrozich said Passaria DJs is more than just a music service.
“Personalization and delivering affordable, enjoyable and high quality services through a partnership approach is our mission,” Ambrozich said.
For Passaria DJs events, Ambrozich and his team set up all of their own equipment. Ambrozich incorporates two, 15-inch QSC active PA speakers, a 12-inch active PA speaker, an 18-inch powered subwoofer, and three 10mm LED lights for his shows to enhance the overall experience for his audiences.
“We are also big into playing what the crowd wants,” Ambrozich said. Whenever someone has a song request, we try to loop it right after the current song ends.”
Ambrozich said he tries to play hits that were popular when members of the crowd were roughly around 18-22 years, a process he calls “crowd reading.”
“If we see positive feedback from them, we keep pumping out more music in that certain category,” Ambrozich said.
Ambrozich emphasized that mixing music is most important, adding that he and his partners don’t accept tips from people, saying, “I’d rather have them spend it on a drink.”
“I think by engaging with the crowd, and in some cases dancing with them, people can get a sense of where we are coming from, see our passion for music,” Ambrozich said.
Ambrozich’s passion for DJing inspired him to get others involved as well. After getting permission from university officials to start a DJing club on campus, Ambrozich has been in contact and has received requests from several students asking to join.
The budding club, Campus DJs, has six confirmed members and will need at least 10 in order for it to become official on campus.
Andrew Stafford can be reached at staf7499@stthomas.edu.