John Rynecki
About
I am a deep house DJ, music producer, and mentor based between Chicago and Playa Venao. I have been DJing since 2013 and have played clubs, arts spaces, and events in Chicago, New York, Colorado, and Panama. I co founded the Chicago Electronic Music Conference, a nonprofit dedicated to educating and connecting DJs and producers, and I teach because I believe dance music can open doors and build better futures.
On Lessonface I work with beginner, novice, and intermediate electronic music DJs, as well as more advanced DJs who want mentorship and accountability. Together we focus on the fundamentals that actually matter in the booth beatmatching, reading a room, organizing your music, and developing your artistic voice while also covering real world skills like hardware setup, troubleshooting, etiquette, and how to get gigs.
My goal is to help you feel confident behind the decks and leave every lesson with clear next steps, not guesswork.
Teaching Style
My teaching style is structured, supportive, and very practical. Every lesson is one on one and tailored to your goals. We usually start with a quick check in, a short review of your homework, and then spend most of the time on hands on work at the decks or inside your software.
I ask a lot of questions to understand how you learn best and break concepts down into small, repeatable exercises. You will get honest feedback, but never in a harsh way. I am big on mindset and process building so you can keep improving between lessons. Expect clear assignments after each session and a focus on real world scenarios like preparing a playlist for a gig, recording a mix for SoundCloud, or building an EPK.
Above all, I want lessons to feel fun and motivating. Nobody wants a stressed-out DJ, and that starts in practice.
Curriculum
For new students I often recommend a six session Intro to DJing program. Each session is ninety minutes and includes specific homework so you can apply what we cover.
By the end of the six sessions you will have:
• A solid understanding of beatmatching and how to practice it effectively
• The ability to use visual and audio cues to transition between tracks
• A basic grasp of music theory as it relates to DJing and creative transitions
• A clear system for organizing your music using tools like Rekordbox and playlists
• Confidence in setting up and troubleshooting your own hardware at home
• An understanding of DJ etiquette and how to behave professionally at gigs
• A simple plan for getting gigs, including an artist EPK and a first recorded mix to share online
Lessons are taught online using Zoom. We can work with your preferred software and hardware, but I commonly use Rekordbox, Traktor, Mixed In Key, and USB or controller based setups. There is no required textbook. I may recommend specific online resources, channels, or reference mixes for you to study based on your goals.
Students will get homework each week such as building playlists, practicing specific transitions, organizing their library, or recording short practice mixes. This structure makes sure you always know what to work on between lessons.
Credentials & Affiliations
Professional Roles
• Co-founder and Programming Lead, Chicago Electronic Music Conference (CEMC), a nonprofit focused on education and community building for DJs and producers in Chicago.
• Event Operations Lead, Beat Retreat, a 5-day DJ and music production retreat hosted in the Dominican Republic (editions in fall 2023 and spring 2024).
DJ & Performance Experience
• 11 years of DJ experience playing deep house and electronic music at clubs, events, and festivals in Chicago, New York, Colorado, and Panama.
• Festival appearances including Tribal Gathering (Panama) and Reactor Venao in Playa Venao, Panama.
• Regular performances at venues and community events across Chicago and Panama, from intimate listening bars to larger club nights and outdoor events.
Releases & Creative Work
• Original and collaborative releases on labels including Klaus/Elle, Lost Records, and Vested Recordings.
• Multiple unofficial bootleg remixes with strong online traction, including remixes of Craig David’s “Fill Me In” and “Rendezvous,” and Childish Gambino’s “Feels Like Summer.”
Education, Training & Mentorship
• Graduate of EDMtips Academy, focused on electronic music production and workflow.
• Ongoing mentorship and coaching from established artists and educators including Atish, Taches, and Crimsen.
Areas of Focus as an Educator
• DJ fundamentals and advanced technique (beatmatching, transitions, set flow).
• Electronic music production for house and related genres.
• Artist development: branding, EPK creation, networking, and getting gigs.