Van Petty’s journey into the world of DJing is a testament to passion ignited unexpectedly. Almost two decades ago, what began as a favor to a friend – filling in for bathroom breaks at a local club – blossomed into a full-fledged career. He was captivated by the art of DJing, and soon invested in equipment, honing his skills and entertaining friends at parties. Life took him to Northern Virginia and a corporate office job, leading him to believe his DJ days were over. However, the allure of music and the opportunity to earn extra income drew him back, and MyDeejay is thrilled to have this talented artist on their team. To understand Van’s deep connection to music, we asked him about its significance in his life.
A Lifelong Love Affair with Music
“My relationship with music is lifelong,” Van shares. “It’s been a constant companion and a powerful outlet.” His formal musical training began early, learning piano at five and saxophone at nine. He played in concert band through tenth grade and simultaneously explored percussion, joining the high school marching band. This foundation in rhythm naturally progressed into rapping, starting his first hip-hop group in sophomore year of high school. This passion continued through college, evolving into Funkmnkyz, a live rap/funk/rock fusion band that thrived from 2005 to 2015. Even today, music remains integral to Van’s life. “I still carve out time for musical creativity, even outside of DJing,” he explains. “Writing lyrics and producing samples and synth-based music are weekly activities for me. Music has always been my escape, a refuge from life’s stresses. Whether it’s playing saxophone in my band days or spinning a DJ set now, for personal enjoyment or a big event, it’s pure release.”
The Unexpected Joy of Wedding DJing
Van’s path to wedding DJing was also unexpected. “Being a hip-hop artist, I initially thought wedding DJing would be cheesy,” he admits. However, he discovered a far more engaging and rewarding experience than he anticipated. “DJing weddings and corporate events is way more interesting than just playing hip-hop mixes all night,” Van states. “It demands drawing upon my entire musical knowledge to create something truly special for each event.” He emphasizes the unique energy of wedding audiences. “Weddings are the best audiences. You never know exactly what to expect, but people are always ready to celebrate and dance if you curate the right music and create the perfect atmosphere for them to let loose and have fun.”
Connecting with Diverse Crowds
When asked about his ideal crowd, Van highlights diversity and energy. “I love any crowd that’s eager to dance,” he says, “but my favorite crowds are those with diverse age groups and musical preferences. There’s something special about playing classic tunes that instantly fill the dance floor, and then seamlessly transitioning into newer music that keeps everyone, from the younger guests to the older generations, moving together. Ultimately, every DJ hopes for an energetic crowd that’s ready to celebrate on the dance floor!”
Van’s Advice for Couples: Personalize Your Playlist
Van offers valuable advice to couples planning their wedding music. “Be authentic when creating your music playlist,” he advises. “Include songs you genuinely love, even if they aren’t typical dance floor anthems. These personal choices provide your DJ with crucial insights into your musical tastes, allowing them to leverage their expertise to craft an even more incredible and personalized playlist that truly reflects you as a couple.”
Beyond his DJ skills, Van’s personal interests add another dimension to his personality. He enjoys creating unique DJ mashups, playing basketball and soccer with his children, and continuing his passion for hip-hop lyricism and music production. Balancing his creative pursuits with his professional life as a Banking Compliance Specialist, Van embodies the perfect blend of detail-oriented professionalism and artistic passion, ensuring your wedding music is in expert hands. He and his wife Allyson, married since 2003, have two children and a love for travel, bringing a well-rounded and experienced perspective to every event he DJs. For a wedding DJ who is not Pet Ty in his musical knowledge and is dedicated to making your day exceptional, choose DJ Van Petty. His broad musical expertise and genuine enthusiasm will create a memorable soundtrack for your special day.
