Today we’d like to introduce you to Heidi Hafertepe.
Hi Heidi, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Heidi, a full-time first grade teacher by day and a DJ/producer by night. Music and teaching have always been the two biggest passions in my life, and I’ve never believed I had to choose between them. If Hannah Montana can do it, so can I.
I was born and raised in a northwest suburb of Chicago, where I first fell in love with music. Chicago’s energy, house music culture, and creativity inspired me to start creating my own sound and envision a future in music. Growing up as one of six kids taught me the value of hard work, determination, and chasing opportunities for myself.
I currently live in Dallas, where I officially began my DJ journey. I taught myself how to DJ in 2024 and made a promise to myself that I would not perform a gig until I had produced at least one original song. On May 18th, 2025, I played my first DJ set, marking the beginning of a new chapter pursuing both of my dreams at once.
My bubbly personality and high energy have become a huge part of who I am, both in the classroom and in the music scene. Whether I’m teaching first graders or behind the decks, I love creating environments where people feel excited, inspired, and connected.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but I truly believe that anything worth doing comes with challenges. The only way to grow and improve at something is by making mistakes, learning from them, and continuing to push forward even when it gets difficult.
One of the biggest challenges has been balancing two completely different worlds. On one side, I’m waking up at 5 AM to teach first graders all day, and on the other side, I’m sometimes starting DJ gigs at 2 AM. It can be exhausting trying to manage both schedules, but both teaching and music are huge passions of mine, so it’s worth it.
Learning music production has also been one of the hardest things I’ve ever taken on. Producing requires an incredible amount of patience, time, and consistency. There are endless hours of listening, studying professionals, watching tutorials, experimenting, and learning through trial and error. It can be frustrating at times because there is always more to learn, and I’m nowhere near the level I ultimately want to be at yet. But I also know that growth takes time, and with consistent practice and dedication, I’ll continue getting better and better.
At the end of the day, every challenge has taught me something and made me stronger, both as a person and as an artist.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a DJ, producer, and full-time first grade teacher. While those worlds may seem completely different, both are centered around creating connection, energy, and positive experiences for people. Music and teaching are the two biggest passions in my life, and I put everything I have into both.
As a DJ and producer, I specialize in house music. I love to play tech house but I always incorporate Chicago-inspired groovy house elements into my sets because that sound is a huge part of who I am and where I come from. Growing up near Chicago deeply shaped my love for music and introduced me to the culture and energy of house music at a young age. I also love playing deep house and groovy lounge-style sets for some of the venues I work with in Dallas.
I currently have residencies with Ritual, Astra, and Casa Brasa, where I play deep house, afro house, and groovy house music. I’ve had the opportunity to play a variety of venues throughout Dallas, and every set continues to teach and inspire me. House music truly has my heart, so I only work with venues where I can authentically play the music I genuinely love and connect with.
What I’m most proud of is building a brand that is rooted in authenticity, positivity, and passion for music. To me, being a DJ is not about being the center of attention, it’s about creating an environment where people can feel free, let go, dance, connect, and get lost in the music for a while. Music completely changed my life, and I want to share that feeling and energy with as many people as possible.
What sets me apart is my energy and the way I genuinely feel the music when I play. I bring a bubbly personality, nonstop work ethic, kindness toward others, and 110% effort into every set I do. I even bring bubbles to some of my sets because I want people to feel joy, positivity, and childlike freedom when they’re there. I also have endless creative ideas constantly running through my head that I’m continuing to learn how to bring to life through production in Ableton. I’m still growing as an artist every day, but I think that hunger to improve, combined with my love for people and music, is what truly separates me from others.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
My biggest advice when it comes to finding a mentor or networking is to stay authentic to yourself and find people who genuinely align with your values. Don’t try to fit yourself into a mold just because you think that’s what will make you look cool, successful, or accepted in the music industry. What will actually make you stand out and connect with people is being yourself, embracing what makes you unique, and allowing others to see that authenticity.
I truly believe that who you surround yourself with is a reflection of you. I’ve been incredibly blessed to have amazing people in my life who constantly inspire me, motivate me, and push me to grow. I intentionally surround myself with positive, hardworking, creative people who bring out the best in me. That kind of environment makes such a difference, especially in a creative industry.
I also think energy matters a lot. The positive energy I give off now comes from doing a lot of work on myself and continuing to try to become the best version of myself every single day. People are naturally drawn to authenticity, kindness, and good energy.
With networking, the best thing you can do is simply be yourself. Build real relationships instead of trying to impress people. Be kind, support others, stay consistent, and surround yourself with people who inspire you, challenge you, and motivate you to keep growing. The right people will recognize your passion and want to help you succeed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://djbubz.com/home
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidihafertepe/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DJBUBZZ
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/su5zydnf2Uvgpjr82e
