Meet Bryan Chang | Executive Director and Founder of Dance Music Initiative, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bryan Chang and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bryan, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
We had already been operating as an informal charity driven collective focused on music education. We figured that starting a nonprofit would open more doors for us and further legitimize our mission.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Here’s my DJ Bio:

Describe a vibe and BChang will find you a song. He embodies a rare mix of passion for music, good taste, professionalism, and respect for the fundamentals of DJ culture and technique. Specializing in House, Breaks, and Drum & Bass, he’ll keep the dance floor vibing with groovy, booty shakin’ tunes.

BChang gives back to the music scene by leading a 501(c)(3) nonprofit by the name of Dance Music Initiative (DMI). DMI is a DJ community based out of Orange County, CA whose mission is to collectively inspire creativity through dance music culture. BChang volunteers his time by teaching DJ fundamentals, history, and culture to the local community on a weekly basis. As if that wasn’t enough, he also teaches children how to DJ during their after-school program. His efforts are proof that the dance floor brings people together and promotes positivity, warmth, and inclusiveness. Music is food for the psyche and soul and BChang has yet to get his fill.

BChang is a DJ’s DJ.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We’d start with a DJ lesson using vinyl records and turntables in my DJ lab in Lake Forest, CA. The lesson would be a hands-on primer on what its like to DJ, with tidbits of dance music history and culture sprinkled throughout. My students typically end the lesson hungry for more. Speaking of being hungry, its time to get dinner.

Much like genres of music, people are drawn to different flavors and cuisines. I pride myself on having good taste and have top notch restaurant recommendations for whatever food mood they might be in. Some local standouts are Tutto Famiglia for a mom/pop owned and operated Italian fare, Sheung Shui for traditional Cantonese fish noodle soup, or The Yellow Chilli for upscale Indian.

After dinner, we’d head out to one of the many underground music options that I have in my network. These are under-the-radar local artists that are truly talented and will take you on a journey. Imagine selectors flanked by premier sound systems and mind boggling production, these experiences are sure to leave a mark. Occaisionally these experiences go down in a secret warehouse where the main entrance is a hallowed out refrigerator. Others are tucked away deep in the forest or a couple hour drive under the stars. You didn’t come all this way to just see Calvin Harris in the same overpriced style of club that you have at home right?

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
We would like to thank the continued support of the DJ and dance music community of Orange County, CA. We also owe our gratitude to creatives in the dance music space, including, but not limited to, our favorite DJs, music producers, event production teams, promoters, dance artists, and champions of dance music culture.

Website: dancemusicinitiative.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancemusicinitiative/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dancemusicinitiative/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dancemusicinitiative

Other: https://www.mixcloud.com/bryan-chang/