Meet Zola Santerre a.k.a. DJ Zola in Palm Beach

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zola Santerre.

Zola, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
When you look ahead and darkness is all you see, faith and determination will pull you through. – Drake

It all started at a friend house party in high school… I never thought that DJing would pique my interest in life but thank god that it did because it has become a calling. I became fascinated to DJ when I was a Junior in high school at the time that was when Virtual DJ was the “IT” software for DJing and for some would say that is the “BEGINNER DJ” software. I’ve mentioned to others that I might be interested in DJing and for others, they had disagreed in my dream they’ve mentioned that I was doing “too much” because I was also a Model. Due to the negative feedback of becoming a DJ, I had left that behind me and not continue it. Fun Fact: I believe in horoscope and I am an Aquarius and for us, Aquarius, we are a big dreamer but we want everything we can’t stand still we want to make an impact and that was what I was aiming to do was to become the High Fashion Female DJ.

Later down the years, I took the official step of speaking things to exist and that was to become a DJ. It was hard at first due to the fact that I am a self-taught DJ not many people believed that I could do it but I remembered to myself when I was in high school how many didn’t believe that I could become a Model but I proved them wrong and I know I can prove everybody wrong again. I worked three jobs to get my first set of equipment, I had to choose between designer bags and clothes or DJ equipment (I honestly want both). I made sacrifices, I would ask other male DJ’s if they would like to help me out with blending and scratches sometimes it went well and sometimes, it went opposite because they just wanted to get to know me in a intimate matter, but that’s what you face when you’re a female.

Through the obstacles and challenges that I’ve faced as a DJ has been one of the precious jewels that I’ve experienced, it has helped me as a person and as well as business. The past few years, I’ve been lucky to DJ at Art Basel, Grand openings, Fashion Shows, Weddings, Hotels, and many more. I never thought little ol me Zola could make this much of an impact; I’m a young lady that grew up from Palm Beach but has done much from Palm Beach to Miami and heading to do International next.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Theodore Roosevelt — ‘Nothing worth having comes easy.’

The road was very bumpy nothing was easy at all let me provide a few tips for people who are reading this:

• Never compare yourself to others.

• Never compromise your worth.

• Stay focus nobody knows the destination you want to be except yourself.

One of the struggles were accepting people for who they really are, not everybody is honestly cheering for you they can be against you without you knowing. The issues I also faced is being a female in the game, I’ve experienced people blackballing me, starting rumors and all types of nonsense to make my character look bad. I’ve also experienced depression of the lack of support that I had at a moment, but I can honestly say I am in a great place in my life right now.

Please tell us about your work.
I specialize in Caribbean music especially Afro-beat and of course Rabòday it’s a must to show love to my Haitians. I’m proud of my brand (DJ Zola) is because I create the vibe, the energy that makes your body moving. The race I’m in is being the better DJ that I was last year. I want to show people that being a female that is attractive can actually DJ and have a great time doing it.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Was visiting the big city of New York.

Contact Info:

• Email: zolasanterre@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsdjzola
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/Itszolagyal
• Other: https://soundcloud.com/itsdjzola

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