Houston-based DJ Rosez, with Salvadoran roots, brought her passion for music and community to Inside Southwest Detroit as part of the Porch On TAP artist residency.
Through her workshops and performances, she introduced young participants to the world of DJing, showing how music can be a powerful tool for connection and self-expression.
From Psych to Sound: A Sonic Seed Takes Root
Five years ago, she transitioned from a career in psychology and diversity consulting to becoming a full-time DJ. She found that her passion for music offered a more authentic path to creative and community work. Music wasn’t just a hobby—it was her true calling.
“She found that her passion for music offered a more authentic path to creative and community work. ”
Creating Spaces for Young Learners
Back in Houston, Rosez has worked with school-aged children, blending her love of music with her commitment to helping youth connect with their creative potential. In her Detroit workshops, she focused on play and experiential learning. Her goal? To show young students that music is something they can access and create, no matter their age or experience.
“I’m here to take up space.”
Rosez encouraged the kids to experiment with DJ equipment, urging them to play, explore, and feel the rhythm. "I’m here to take up space," she says, inspiring the children to break the mold of what a DJ can look like and who belongs behind the decks.
For Rosez, DJing is more than performance—it’s a way to express identity, build connections, and create safe spaces for all. While in Detroit, DJ Rosez also performed at SW Fest, an annual festival that celebrates local creativity and community. Her students had the chance to see her in action and how music connects and energizes people.
Music as a Tool for Empowerment
With a bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in industrial organizational psychology, DJ Rosez brings an understanding of human behavior and community building into her DJ practice. She is showing how DJing can be a powerful form of storytelling and connection—how it’s not just about beats, it’s about belonging.
In just a few days, Rosez left her students with a message that will echo long after the music fades: music is for everyone, and with the right tools, anyone can take up space.