vendor reviews: disc jockeys

The Central Ontario Chapter of the Canadian Disc Jockey Association works together to set standards in professional wedding music

Reviewing the Central Ontario Chapter of the Canadian Disc Jockey Association

Hiring a professional for your wedding is something that cannot be overrated. The mood and style of your day is greatly affected (and sometimes determined) by the DJ and music you choose. The problem is, brides and grooms may not know how to choose a disc jockey they can trust, what questions they should ask them, or even what is reasonable to expect of their DJ. But couples do know that they just want everyone to enjoy their wedding day with them.

So, for the past thirty years, the Canadian Disc Jockey Association (CDJA) has been operating with that in mind. It was formed to support both professional DJs and the brides and grooms who want to hire them. Among other things, the CDJA expects their affiliated members to be licensed, insured, trained and committed to offering quality services to their clients.  

The Central Ontario Chapter (COC) offers local brides a networked group of professional DJs who are serious about weddings. The chapter’s philosophy of "DJs working together to make a difference" is evident by the members' training, service and dedication to sharing trade secrets so that they can keep increasing their skills. Not to mention, they maintain community involvement and offer seminars and workshops in order to uphold industry standards among each member. With a diverse membership of experienced industry veterans and new DJs, the Central Ontario Chapter of the CDJA is a great way for brides and grooms to find the industry’s leading professionals – all on one website. Let us explain...

Personally speaking...

The CDJA is the longest running, chaptered, National DJ Association in the world with over thirty years as a non-profit organization stretching from coast to coast. They set out to promote and improve the DJ service industry.

Disc jockeys who choose to be CDJA members have access to local chapters for professional development and to be involved in their own community. The Central Ontario Chapter is the local division of the CDJA with a membership that includes "a wide range of disc jockeys who want to take that next step in bettering themselves and the industry... It is this wide range of skills and experiences that make our chapter so diverse," explains the chapter’s website. The website also allows interested consumers to find a DJ based on their location complete with their contact information and a link to their individual websites, get a quote for their event and it even offers tips and advice for choosing a DJ, figuring out your wedding budget, song suggestions and more.

All of the CDJA-COC's efforts are put towards strengthening the DJ industry and increasing people’s awareness on what to expect from a high quality DJ. We had a chance to talk to three out of twelve local members of the Central Ontario Chapter: Sean Corcoran from Star Traxx Mobile Beat, Jason Boland from Chaos Entertainment, and Gary Cooper of Gary Cooper Music.

Some of the experts...

Sean has over eighteen years of experience in the DJ industry and was trained through the CDJA and its affiliates. He told The Ring, "Through experience and sharing ideas, CDJA-COC members are able to share and explore trade secrets on everything from service to technical difficulties, making each individual DJ within the chapter even more knowledgeable."

"Our expertise includes entertaining as many people as possible at each event we do," says Jason. He adds that members of the COC use their knowledge of music to put together a wide selection of songs to encourage all guests at events to participate. "Our training comes from years of on the job experiences with fellow disc jockeys. All of our disc jockeys work in pairs, which helps [them] share individual skills and knowledge with one another."

Gary is one such member who certainly has skills and knowledge of the DJ industry as he told us that he's been in the wedding business since 1974 and has performed at 660 weddings to date! "My main focus is to 'Give the people what they want'. I listen carefully to what they envision and we work toward an evening that will leave their guests craving more," says Gary. "Preparation, personality and professionalism is what my company is all about."

Great music is the standard

When you find a professional DJ from the Central Ontario Chapter of the CDJA, you can rest assured that they are indeed a professional, as all members are required to have their Audio-Visual License from the AVLA in tact, as well as Liability Insurance and proof of business registry. Sean says that "Each member has to be insured for a minimum of $2 million liability and $2,000 for equipment. We also have to have all of our music licensed and before we can become a member of the CDJA, we have to have proof of all of the above." Gary adds that these policies are the Central Ontario Chapter's biggest advantage to brides.

The COC also hosts educational seminars and workshops for members to continually update their skills and knowledge and to help ensure they’re the best in the biz - from the newest equipment and technology to implementing trends in the industry. "We help each other through our shared experiences and educational seminars," says Gary. "Many of the questions brides should ask a disc jockey are already addressed in our membership requirements." He adds that this fact, in combination with the COC's policies, help ensure that brides and grooms are getting "a person who has an invested interest in doing the best job possible."

DJs in the community

Members of the CDJA also use their expertise and music powers for making a difference in the community. This means they support worthy causes with monetary donations or by providing their time and equipment to charities at cost or for free.

In the past, some of the DJs have donated their services for the Hospital Foundation Fund Raiser, Epilepsy Waterloo-Wellington, Adopt a Family, We Care Foundation, Bone Marrow Fundraiser and Awareness Benefit Dance, Aids Awareness and Fundraiser, Cambridge Ice Hounds, Cora's Hope and the KoolFM Tree of Angels.

What this means for brides…

For brides, the CDJA-COC means that when it comes to your wedding day music (and potentially your emcee services), someone is dedicated to continually raising your expectations.

The CDJA-COC website lists all of their members and having these DJs under one website roof makes it easier for brides to find them. But their website is also a great resource for the little details that go along with booking a DJ, including advice on how to choose the right one, music categories, how to choose your wedding reception music and even song suggestions for particular dances.

On top of knowing that the DJ you hire through the COC of the CDJA is an accredited professional, members of the COC say that being active in an association also shows that they care about their business, and most importantly, what happens at your wedding. The COC sets out to separate the professionals to help you avoid hiring someone unreliable, someone who plays inappropriate music, or someone who uses faulty equipment without backups.

For more info...

Check out the Central Ontario Chapter of the Canadian Disc Jockey Association online at www.cdja.ca/coc/cocweddingring.htm to find a local DJ for your wedding. They also have an online quote request system. You can email the Central Ontario Chapter for more information at cocpres@cdja.ca.