He’s opened for the likes of Ciara, Coolio and Kelly Clarkston; worked at some of the hottest clubs in Vegas; headlined at Rain in Cancun; and seen his DJing star rise with the speed and brilliance of a Roman candle. But for John Cha (formerly known as “DJ Milk“), this charmed career might not have gotten off the ground had he not summoned up the courage as a youth to ask a favor of a larger-than-life neighbor.

When John was young, a new neighbor moved in across the street from his family’s house. As fate would have it, the newcomer was a professional DJ, something that John thought was beyond very cool. One day John found the nerve to walk over to his neighbor’s house to ask the man to teach him how to become a DJ.

John Cha learned his lessons well, and soon began developing his own personal style during countless opportunities to DJ house party gigs for free. About a year and a half after he began his career as a DJ, John was DJing at a Chinese Restaurant and Bar called Woks Up in Portland, Oregon, and found himself getting paid for the gig in bar sales. He recalls, “sometimes I would come out of there with like $25!” But John is someone who understands that any gig, no matter how large or small, is the opportunity to better yourself. He says, “Everything I’ve done in DJing is a proud moment because each experience is unique and you learn and gain wisdom from it as a DJ.”

There are so many different characteristics about the DJ lifestyle that an aspiring DJ can find appealing. For John, it was his fascination with scratching and using the DJ equipment that drew him in. “I thought it was the coolest thing, I only scratched for the first year I DJ’d. My dream was to be a DMC Champ,” he says. At this point in his young career, John didn’t know how to mix beats yet, and it had never occurred to him to learn how to do so until more people were requesting him to DJ at their house parties. Second to the allure of scratching, it was his love of music that enchanted him since a young age. The core of any great DJ is a love of music of all kinds, a dynamic that is certainly not lost on John.

To say that DJ John Cha now gets great gigs would be a gross understatement. A resident of fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada, John VJs on a regular basis at such hip Vegas spots as Eye Candy, V-Bar, Ultra Lounge and Lucky’s. He is also quite well known in the Pacific Northwest, VJing up venues like Couture and Dirty in Portland, Oregon and Lucky Strike, Masa and Trinity in Seattle, Washington on an unbelievably consistent basis.

John describes his style as high energy, fun, creative, technical and interesting. In addition to his substantial DJ expertise, he makes sure to spend time sharpening his VJ skills as well. The difference between what makes a great VJ and a mediocre one is what John constantly keeps his focus on. With the right tools and taking the time to make it look as seamless as possible, he makes sure to take his VJing responsibility seriously, taking it to the highest level achievable and ultimately creating a party atmosphere that is truly exceptional.

In his spare time, John enjoys working out, playing guitar, reading, watching movies, cooking and spending time with friends. He is grateful every day for the opportunity to do what he loves for a living full-time. Some of his most memorable gigs include DJing with Roc Raida, DJing while in Cancun and headlining at the Rain Nightclub. As words of advice beneficial not only to professional DJs and mobile entertainers, but to professionals in any field, John warns never to let the fame go to your head. “The biggest advice I can give to any DJ is to let go of their ego. It’s interesting because I know some of the best DJs in the world and they’re the most humble people I know! Work hard, stay focused, practice, and let go of your ego and you’re on your way to becoming a great DJ!”

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