Meet Jonathan Sanchez of Costa Mesa

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Sanchez.

Hi Jonathan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I first got into DJing as a hobby back in middle school and high school — mainly so I could play breakdancing music for my friends. At the time, it was just love for the culture and the music. I didn’t realize yet that it was going to become my life.

That shift happened after I joined the U.S. Air Force at 20. I left my home in Miami and moved to Virginia, and the culture shock was real — especially because the music scene and energy I grew up around wasn’t there. So I bought DJ equipment and poured myself into it. Every day after work I’d come home, practice until I literally fell asleep, wake up, go to work, and do it all over again. That consistency became my foundation.

This was also the early 2000s when electronic music was exploding, so I started learning more genres and expanding beyond what I originally knew. When I got stationed in Texas, I began getting live experience — playing at local bars, colleges, and house parties. That’s where the vision became clear: I didn’t just want to DJ, I wanted to build something with it.

Eventually, I made the decision to leave the Air Force and go all in — studying music production and developing my skills through consistent live gigs. While I was in Orlando, I graduated from the college scene into downtown nightclubs, lounges, restaurants, and private events. Orlando became a huge training ground because it’s such an international city. You’re constantly reading the room and adapting fast because the crowd can change instantly — and that’s where my versatility really got tested and developed.

From there, I kept expanding my world through different cities and scenes — including time in Las Vegas, where the pace is nonstop and the standards are high. Performing and growing as an open-format DJ in environments like that helped me build the range to connect with almost any crowd. That journey eventually brought me to Southern California, where I moved to pursue the bigger vision and see what my business could become on the West Coast.

What happened next still motivates me. Within a short time of landing in LA, I started getting opportunities that opened my eyes to what was possible — playing high-end venues, opening for major artists, and stepping into rooms that demanded a higher level of professionalism and performance. Today, as DJ Jonny Risk, I’m known as an open-format DJ blending hand-selected edits, remixes, and mashups across hip-hop, house, Latin, R&B, country, and more — crafting each set as a reflection of the audience in front of me. I’ve had the honor of DJing celebrity, corporate, and private events — including a private party for Selena Gomez, spinning side-by-side with Shaboozey, and DJing for Bryan Cranston.

As the opportunities grew, so did my skill set. I didn’t want to just “play songs” — I wanted to build experiences. So I deepened my production work by creating custom edits I can DJ with, developed lighting programming to design my own show moments, and strengthened the audio engineering side so every part of an event sounds right — from ceremonies to cocktail hours to packed dance floors.

At the end of the day, whether I’m playing for five people or a couple thousand, my goal is the same: use music to tell a story, create a moment, and keep the energy high all night long — delivering the best possible experience every single time I step behind the DJ booth.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road — and a lot of the challenges weren’t just about DJing, but about life and growth.

One of the biggest struggles was working through alcoholism and learning how to navigate an industry where nightlife and partying can be everywhere. At a certain point I had to mature, get honest with myself, and separate the artist from the business owner. I had to learn how to build structure, price correctly, manage money, and actually run a profitable business — not just be talented behind the decks.

Another challenge was constantly moving. Every time you land in a new city, you’re starting over — learning the culture, learning what people respond to, and rebuilding your network. Music can be very local, so adaptability isn’t optional; it’s survival.

The pandemic was a major setback too. I had to put DJing on hold and even sell my equipment just to make ends meet. That was humbling — but I kept the faith and told myself it wasn’t the end of the story. I prayed that I’d return stronger, and over time I was able to rebuild and come back with even better equipment and a clearer vision.

And honestly, one of the hardest parts was not always having a support system nearby that truly believed in what I was building. I had friends who believed in me, but they were far away, and when you’re in the grind you don’t always hear those voices. Finding the right people — the ones who push you, ground you, and remind you who you are — took time.

I also had to push through the learning curve of stepping into weddings. I wanted to move into that space, but at first I didn’t know who to network with, who to ask, or how to break in. I didn’t grow up doing weddings, so I had to learn the formalities, the flow, and the responsibility that comes with being trusted with someone’s biggest moments. And while I was comfortable with public speaking because of the Air Force, that’s a very different kind of communication — more structured and militant. Weddings require a softer touch: being joyful and present, guiding the room without overpowering it, and knowing how to speak to sentimental moments in a way that feels genuine.

Through all of it, I kept coming back to the real reason I started: the joy. Those countless hours alone in my room, practicing because I genuinely loved it — and remembering that makes it easy to push through.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
In my professional life, I’m an open-format DJ and event entertainment specialist. At the core, my job is to read a room and translate the energy in real time — building a musical storyline that feels intentional, elevated, and personal to the audience. I specialize in blending genres seamlessly using hand-selected edits, remixes, and mashups across hip-hop, house, Latin, R&B, country, and more, so the night never feels predictable or one-dimensional.

What I’m known for is versatility, professionalism, and creating “moments” — not just playing great songs. Whether it’s a celebrity or corporate event, a private party, or a wedding, I’m focused on making the experience feel curated and effortless. I also bring a production mindset to my sets: I build custom edits that only exist in my library, and I design lighting and sound intentionally so the atmosphere matches the music — from subtle, classy ambiance to full-on peak-hour energy.

What I’m most proud of is being able to take everything I learned from different cities, different scenes, and my military background — discipline, preparation, and calm under pressure — and use it to deliver at a high level in any environment. I’ve had some amazing career moments, but the biggest win is consistency: clients trusting me with rooms that matter, and guests leaving feeling like they just experienced something special.

What sets me apart is that I don’t approach events like “just another gig.” I approach them like a performance and a service at the same time. I’m there to elevate the room, make people feel something, and create a soundtrack that fits that specific crowd — because no two events should ever sound the same.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
That I was in the U.S. Air Force working on the F-22 Raptor — and I also served as an instructor. I even had the opportunity to be part of the team that helped build the B-21 Raider.

That chapter taught me discipline, attention to detail, and how to stay calm under pressure — and those same skills i used everytime I step into a Big event. (Obviously I can’t get into the technical specifics, but I’m proud of the work and what it taught me.)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Djjonnyrisk.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djjonnyrisk/?hl=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@OfficialDjjonnyrisk

Image Credits
Tanairy Robles & Dustin Genereux