Even before new junior transfer Quinton Chang (‘27) had familiarized himself with the dorm environment, his DJ board already settled comfortably in the Kirkhill room that awaited his move-in this year. Quinton has declared his passion for DJing since day one, and now, his love for mixing music is common knowledge to those who know him. 

“I started DJing because of my brother and because I love house music,” Quinton said. “Combining songs together into a set is something I find really cool.” 

For Quinton, mixing music is relaxing. 

“DJing takes my mind off everything,” Quinton said. “When I’m in the flow of DJing late at night, it makes me feel good inside.” 

However, mixing music is not only for personal enjoyment. For Quinton, it is also a platform to connect with others. 

“I have met a lot of new people from DJing at events in Hong Kong,” Quinton said. “I enjoy sharing DJing to those that are interested and performing for friends.” 

In the Webb community, Quinton introduced this hobby to his friends Allen Wan (‘26) and Jonathan Lee (‘27) earlier in the school year, spreading the rhythm across Webb’s campus.  

“Allen and Jonathan have started DJing too, so we always mix together in [the Kirkhill dorm],” Quinton said.  

For these students, DJing is a medium through which they express their love for music—a valuable component of Webb culture. 

“Music has always been a large part of my life, and I always have an AirPod in,” Allen said. “DJing is a creative outlet that helps me transfer this love for music into a form through which I learn to appreciate music even more.” 

Beyond just a pastime that allows for shared joy between friends, DJing translates meaning to its listeners as well.  

“When I hear songs that I form an emotional connection to, I want to share that feeling with others,” Jonathan said. “That is both the reason why I enjoy DJing and a goal I hope to accomplish when I am mixing.” 

Webb provided just the opportunity to achieve that goal for these DJs. On January 14th, students crowded in Stockdale Community Center to cheer on the contestants of the DJ battle—a competition to select the student DJ that would perform at Winter Formal. Following a fierce cycle of DJing, Quinton won the popular vote and earned the chance to a debut performance at the upcoming dance.  

From mainstream rap songs to popular house hits, Quinton left the crowd wanting more as he stepped off the DJ stand at Winter Formal even after surpassing the original planned time due to positive student responses.  

Following “Quinton Hour,” the three friends continued to invest time into mixing and producing art. Ranging from EDM and tech house to dance pop and garage, the music consumes these students in the DJing process as time flies by hours each week. Wanting to share their pieces and pleasure with other students and bring their beats outside of their headphones, Quinton, Allen, and Jonathan have spread their passion to the greater Webb community through performing at or hosting events. 

In February, these student DJs hosted a “boiler room,” a form of DJ performance characterized by intimate venues and a small crowd gathered within that tight space, in the Holt dorm kitchen—an unanticipated success in the end. 

“We were not sure if our audience would enjoy the types of music we played, but in the end, more people showed up than we expected and had a great time,” Jonathan said.  

At the recent Lunar New Year Community Dinner, Quinton, Jonathan, and Allen added just the right touch of spirit to the festive event, performing for attendees at the quad. As students uncontrollably rocked to the contagious rhythm of the DJs’ playlist, many were left hoping for more of their music. 

“We are planning more events for the future, which we hope can be more accessible for the entire student body, not just those that live in Upper Dorms,” Jonathan said. 

As the Webb community begins settling into the spring semester, the DJs are only beginning to turn up the volume, their tracks leaving students excited for the next time when music will blast out of speakers and into the ears of listeners ready to have a good time.  

Quinton’s, Allen’s, and Jonathan’s willingness to share their personal passions and transform them into collective experiences reflects the genuine spirit and passion exhibited by the greater Webb community. What began as a hidden talent from a new student in the Kirkhill dorm has grown into a bond that connects others, inspiring peers to embrace and share their own interests. In doing so, their passion becomes more than sound through speakers showcasing that one student’s rhythm can truly strengthen the heartbeat of Webb as a whole.