Sophomore Matt Stern continues his passion for DJ’ing

Every party needs music. Sophomore Matt Stern has taken his passion for music and technology and turned it into his own DJ business.

Stern, nicknamed “DJ Sterntables,” has been formally trained to do what he loves. In 2010, he was enrolled in Scratch DJ Academy and he has been taking classes from world class DJ’s ever since. Starting as a student in the Mixing 101 class Stern has now completed that course, and is now taking part in more advanced classes.

“Scratch Academy has made me much more knowledgeable,” Stern said. “It has also given me the confidence and experience to DJ my own gigs.”

Stern has DJ’ed at many venues in Southern California, such as in Palos Verdes, West LA and Hollywood.  He typically dj’s at Bar Mitzvahs, corporate events, banquets and birthday parties.  Stern hopes to get contracts with major clubs and venues in the near future.

“It’s super cool spinning at a variety of events because it always gives me a different challenge,” Stern said. “It is awesome to do what I love especially when it benefits others around me.”

Stern’s parents, Debbie and David, are also very supportive of his DJing. They encourage him to take lessons, and to always be open and flexible to the types of jobs that he is offered. Stern’s father got him interested by encouraging him to shadow music professionals.

“I enjoy watching the people at the party that he DJs,” Debbie Stern said. “I liked watching couples at my husband’s holiday party dance and sing to the songs my son was playing.”

Stern always prefers to spin with vinyl and turntables, opposed to new electronic turntables. By using vinyl, Stern feels that he has more control in his ability to mesh songs.

“There are a lot of other awesome DJs in the area, but I feel like my education of the roots behind the beats is one thing that sets me apart,” Stern said. “Everyone at the academy was very knowledgeable, and they were all a great resource to use when I was learning.”

Sterntable’s music collection consists over ten thousand tracks. Before each gig he meets with clients to get a feel for the style of music they want and the type of party it will be.

“Matt was really good and I have no complaints,” Stern’s client, Ryan Verbiest said. “He played the best music we could have asked for, and he knows the kind of music that teens want to hear.”

It has been three years since Stern has graduated from Scratch DJ Academy. After graduating from many different courses, Stern realized that DJ’ing is a passion that he would like to pursue.

“One of my favorite experiences DJ’ing was when I graduated from my first semester at Scratch DJ Academy,” Stern said. “I had a gig at a club with all the former alumni. I was able to co-spin with my mentors and it was the first time that I felt like my skills were being put to the test.”