DJ delivers on dreams

Student chases passion despite health condition

Music could be heard from the quiet main street as the beats blasted through speakers at a Friday night party. A siren sound made its way through the songs to increase their urgency.

Daniel “Dan” Amaya, or DJ

GoodAmaya21, stationed himself in the corner of an apartment complex’s parking garage. Yellow and red streamers hung from the ceiling. Balloons were everywhere.

Amaya, a Pierce College student, is a professional disc jockey based in Canoga Park. When he was 9 months old, he was diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic condition that causes the bones in his body to become fragile.

“I’ve had more than 300 fractures in my lifetime so far,” Amaya said.

Although he lives his life in a chair, he doesn’t let his condition stop him from chasing his dreams. He studied to be an accountant, but ultimately made the decision in 2009 to follow his passion and make dance mixes. He hopes to study to be a musical producer in the future.

“I really like his music,” Estrada, 17, said. “That’s why I asked him to come to my party.”

When Amaya’s not at school, he’s at home doing homework. When he’s not doing homework, he’s at his laptop fiddling with his music, said Ana Amaya, his mother.

“He’s really friendly,” she said. “I feel happy and proud that he’s doing something he loves.”

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