Today we’d like to introduce you to Celine Thomas.
Hi Celine, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As a rising high school educator, I suddenly desired to find my inner child spark within three years of teaching. I began remembering what I loved most about my childhood/teen years: connecting to music. Whether playing the alto saxophone in the band from 6th-grade high school, tap dancing or listening to music in the car with my parents, I have always loved music! Around 2019 I watched as one of my DJ friends moved the crowd with the transition of different songs. People were smiling and dancing, and my musical spark began to ring through my spirit. I asked him to show me how to DJ, just for fun. From there, he introduced me to my first teaching instructor Apryl Reign at Elementz Hip Hop Center in Cincinnati. I was terrified in a room full of male DJs as they were scratching and pushing buttons. But she was the ultimate master of the room, and everyone watched and learned from her. I had never really seen too many female DJs live, but she told me that I was capable of doing it. She said, “You ARE a DJ,” and those words rang through my ears.
From there, I was hooked. I bought my first mixer on Amazon and a cheap $20 speaker from Big Lots and got to work! I began spending hours learning how to mix and going to class at Elementz to learn after work. I found other DJs that supported my efforts and began studying everything, from how they mixed songs to their interaction with the crowd. What started as a hobby became an ultimate passion. I began to have family, friends, and strangers rooting for me to keep going. Once I stamped the approval for myself, I opened a new world. The world of DJing in Cincinnati, as Queen Celine…
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
What made the road smooth for me was getting out of my comfort zone and meeting other DJs passionate about what they were doing. I learned a lot, as the music industry can sometimes get political, but in those moments, I was able to create a brand that represented female empowerment and the courage to reach for one’s dreams no matter what age, race, or gender. Every obstacle and achievement has encouraged me to keep going!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My name is DJ Queen Celine, and I specialize in creative/upbeat music sets. I am skilled in creating experiences using musical blends and an entertaining presence for any occasion. I am proud of myself for gaining confidence in my craft and building a small business avenue for myself outside of my current career as an educator. What set’s me apart from others is my unique ability to customize my sets to fit the needs of any environment. I like to say that I DJ for the people, as any Queen does. My brand is to uplift and ensures that everyone around the event has a good, safe, and enjoyable time and leaves feeling better than when they came into the space!
Any big plans?
As I continue my DJ career, I hope to maintain the happiness I have for the craft. In addition, I enjoy traveling and experiencing stage-like settings. If I were to one day have the opportunity to DJ for a music artist or go on tour and travel the world, I would feel very accomplished. I often envision myself on a larger stage, experiencing the music and the audience at an entirely different level.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.djqueenceline.com
- Instagram: @queencelinedj
- Facebook: @queencelinedj
Image Credits
Brandon Hopkins
