While sitting in study hall and scrolling through social media his freshman year, junior Jonah Friedman came across a video that inspired him to try an activity he had never done before: DJing.
“I didn’t have any gear,so I searched up‘free DJ website’ on my school Chromebook,” Friedman said.
Then I made the commitment and bought a DJ board, practicing on it for hours in my room, learning how to use the board and the music before even buying speakers, Friedman said.
“I’ve always been into music,” said Friedman. “I’ve always had that thrill to kind of control the party.”
Friedman was offered a dancer position in 2024 by Arianna Rozen, owner and emcee of Vibe Entertainment before he began DJing.
“I usually, for the most part, don’t hire people until they’re 19,” said Rozen. “With Jonah, he was an exception because he was just that good.”
I wanted to give him an opportunity because I knew he was going to be awesome, and to see him now younger than I was starting a business is really cool, and I’m just really proud that he’s doing it, Rozen said.
“I feel like I get to see a little bit of myself in him,” said Rozen. “I also started off as a dancer when I was 15 years old and was also someone that was extremely excited and passionate and wanting to do a good job at parties.”
Friedman decided to pursue his own business along with continuing to work with Vibe Entertainment after spending eight months working for another DJ company.
By having my own business, I can choose my own hours and pay, solve my own problems and dress however I want, Friedman said.
“One of the main things I’ve learned to do is read the room,” said Friedman. “I’m able to see how people are reacting to the music, if they’re tapping their foot or giving glares, and it’s kind of the same with life outside of DJing.”
According to Friedman’s mom, Marcie Friedman, Jonah loves working for himself and making his own decisions, and he is learning how to be responsible and communicate with adults really well because they’re counting on him.
“He has to set the price, set the time, set the time period and meet all their expectations,” said Marcie Friedman. “And it’s not just teenagers that he’s working for now. It’s all these different adults and school districts and park districts and things like that.”
DJing has caused Jonah to sacrifice his weekends and social life, Marcie Friedmansaid.
“He’s missed friends’ birthday parties,” said Marcie Friedman. “He’s been the DJ at the homecoming party instead of going to the homecoming party.”
According to Jonah, being his own boss and starting his own business has given him an opportunity not a lot of high school students get to experience.
“[DJing] allows me to be outgoing and show people the real me instead of hiding myself behind something like social media,” said Jonah. “I want people to see me for who I truly am.”