Today we’d like to introduce you to DJ Mike Calderon.
Hi DJ Mike, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Growing up, I was always surrounded by music through my family get togethers, school and friends, my own personal music library and collection, and through music sharing with other friends. I started taking piano lessons in high school for two years to increase my musical aptitude and knowledge. That is when I started understanding more in depth musical structure and theory. At the age of 20, I started as a dancer taking Salsa Casino classes in 2009 on Lincoln Road at a Cuban restaurant called Yuca. I was religiously taking classes there every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday for almost a year straight. Then I opened up my own dance studio called SoBe Salsa, which lasted close to a year and a half with about 20 students attending. Then, I started Djing and hosting events in 2012 and have been doing so since then.
I have hosted events and DJ’ayed in almost every hotspot point in South Florida including, South Beach, Coconut Grove, North Miami, Hallandale, Coral Gables, West Palm Beach, Broward, Doral, Brickell, Wynwood, Midtown, to name a few. I am so happy i have been able to create an amazing community of dancers and followers who enjoy dancing and Salsa as much as I do. One day, I hope to host a Salsa Congress for everyone in the world to meet and enjoy our latin culture that we adore so much.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. As a business owner and entrepreneur, ups and downs are part of the baggage that comes with your own venture. Some events were cancelled on me last minute, some events I had such low attendance, some times there were moments that I wanted to give up and throw in the towel, inner struggles with myself to keep advancing and keep going. There are just too many bumps and obstacles I have gone through for the past 15 years of my career. But, my energy, passion, and consistency are what have helped me push through the most difficult times of my career and now I am more confident and calm in crisis situations of my business making me think critically and strategically to make the best decisions possible.
As you know, we’re big fans of Miami Salsa Events. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Miami Salsa Events has been in business since 2012. We specialize in hosting some of the best Salsa/Latin events in South Florida bringing community, music, social dancing, and great vibes in every party and venue we do. We are proud to have such high attendance in our events and visual presence in social media where people love us and follow all our ventures and steps in our journey. We invite you to join us at one of our parties, so you can see for yourself what really sets us apart from competition because sometimes, being present and consuming the experience speaks a lot more than words.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Everything boils down to customer service. If you have great people skills, then everything else will fall in to play. Marketing, Event Producing, DJing are just skills for yourself to showcase your talent, but acting great with the public is really what boosts your image as an artist and your reputation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.miamisalsaevents.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miamisalsaevents
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miamisalsaevents
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@miamisalsaevents
Image Credits
Luciana Luduenia
