Mark Cerviari’s Journey of DJing
At The University of Miami, students hustle through exams, papers, and projects, but some are also adding rhythm and energy to the campus in a way that’s hard to ignore.
Mark Cerviari, a sophomore studying Marketing and Global Management, is one of those who doesn’t just experience college life; he enhances it.
As a DJ, Cerviari has been electrifying fraternity functions, private parties, and some of Miami’s biggest clubs with his dynamic mixes. His journey from a music enthusiast to a sought-after DJ in the vibrant Miami scene is a story of passion, persistence, and the power of connection.
Cerviari’s love for music started early, but his passion for DJing didn’t come until 2019.
“I saw one of my friends DJ a girl’s birthday party in Lake Forest. The rest is honestly history – I remember telling my mom that I wanted to get a DJ board and that was my 2020 Christmas present, a DJ DDJ-SB3-S, which I still use as my travel board to this day,” he said.
With mandatory quarantining in effect, Cerviari spent hours in his bedroom experimenting with sounds by speeding tracks up, changing keys, and mashing together already big hits. In 2020, he began taking lessons in Northbrook, Illinois and quickly began to master his craft.
“I actually noticed I was getting good and didn’t feel any pressure from the art itself or people to get good. I’ve played a variety of instruments, seven or eight to be exact, and I never had a drive to keep playing any of them. So when year two came around and I was racing up to my room to get on the decks, I knew it was something I had to pursue,” he stated.
With over a year of experience under his belt, Cerviari booked his first gig, a small birthday party back in his hometown.
“I will always remember my first one, which, funny enough, was back at the same girl’s house for her birthday party a year later. That one will forever be special because I had almost all of my friends there supporting me and having the time of their lives,” he said.
When Cerviari arrived at UMiami, he was already focused on taking his love for DJing to the next level. However, being in a bustling city like Miami, with its legendary music scene, meant he had a lot of competition. Still, he dove in headfirst. Within weeks of his first semester at UM, Cerviari was given the opportunity of a lifetime.
“My first ever club gig in general was actually a year ago today. My fraternity brother asked if I wanted to DJ Vendome with him and then go play at South Beach Exchange after. My goal coming into college was to get a club gig by my junior year, and in my first week as a spring admit freshman, I was offered to play at one of the biggest named clubs in Miami and close at a nightclub in South Beach,” he remarked.
It’s only been up from there for Cerviari, releasing and racking up hundreds of thousands of listens on SoundCloud, an online platform where artists can release music without a record label or distributor. Cerviari’s top track, “SPEED IT UP (part 2),” has accumulated over 258,000 streams on the app.
“I remember the reason for making it was because I heard ‘Hotel Room’ sped up on some social media account, and then I thought I could take a few popular songs, speed them up 3–4 bpm and take the key lock off, and it sounded really good,” he told us. Cerviari expects to release a part 3 in the near future.
While DJing is undoubtedly Cerviari’s passion, balancing it with his academic responsibilities is a constant challenge. He stated, “School always comes first. The music industry is very hard to thrive in, so making sure I have a good foundation built if all hell breaks loose is a must… But, once the weekend hits, my full focus turns into improving my career and passion.”
Despite having accomplished so much thus far, Cerviari continues to dream big and hopes to segue into producing his own tracks.
“I’m working on something I’m going to be very proud of once it’s done, which is my first ever produced track. I’m aiming for a more Latin tech house vibe and am hoping to release it within the next month… and by the time I graduate from college, I’m hoping I have production under my belt with a few tracks played by big artists at sets. It’s very hard to get to that point, but with my ambitions and passion for music, I really think it’s possible,” he said.
To those with a passion for mixing, Cerviari provided these words of wisdom:
“Learn what the board does. If you love music and can’t get enough of it, then you will have so much fun in this industry no matter how far you want to take it. DJing can get so complicated, but only if you make it. Have fun with it, and if you’re serious about getting booked, make sure you know how a board works and how to be professional when selling yourself.”
As Cerviari continues to balance his college life with his growing career as a DJ, one thing is clear: his journey is only just beginning. The energy he brings to every set, the connection he fosters with his audience, and the passion he pours into his craft are all hallmarks of a future that promises more than just loud music and packed dance floors.
For him, DJing is a way to tell stories, create moments, and bring people together—skills that will serve him well no matter where his career takes him.
words_ben gerkin. design_sal puma
This article was published in Distraction’s Summer 2025 print issue.
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