Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Beele.
Hi Michelle, 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 journey into the dance music scene started back in 2010, while I was in college in Philadelphia. I fell in love with the music and started going to shows and festivals. I was fully immersed in the scene long before I even thought about becoming a DJ.
I didn’t start DJing until January 2022, so I’m just coming up on my three-year anniversary. I first got the idea to try DJing during the pandemic—I had bought my first controller in 2020, but when I tried getting started I quickly realized that watching YouTube tutorials wasn’t going to cut it for me. DJing is such a hands-on skill, and because of my learning style I knew I needed one-on-one guidance to really learn. Unfortunately, with everything being locked down, I couldn’t get that in-person training at the time.
Then, when things started opening back up, I went to Elrow in New York in 2021, and after seeing Chelina Manuhutu and J Worra play, I distinctly remember thinking to myself, “That’s it. I’m doing this.” The very next day, I posted on my story asking for DJ lessons, and my friends (who happened to be a DJ duo) offered to teach me. They had already had experience teaching other friends, so by the time they started mentoring me, they had really honed their teaching methods. I started practicing almost ever Thursday night with them.
In that first month, I made my first mix—mainly for my own practice and to critique myself. I’d listen back, identify where I could improve, and work on refining my transitions, track selection, and energy flow. I kept recording mixes every month, which later turned into my “VOLUME UP” mix series.
In May 2022, I moved from the NY/NJ area to San Diego, where I got involved in the local shuffle community. That led to regular DJing gigs with them, and soon I started getting booked at venues around San Diego. Those gigs opened doors into the underground scene, and by early 2023, I got my first club gig at Bloom Nightclub in Gaslamp, opening for VNSSA. That was a huge turning point and led to so many incredible opportunities. Over the rest of the year, I had the chance to support artists like Friend Within, Illyus & Barrientos, Maxinne, and even ended the year with a full-circle moment—playing my first Insomniac gig at Nova, opening for J Worra’s Rinse & Repeat tour. Since then, I’ve started playing house and techno under two different aliases, respectively and I’ve gotten the opportunity to play under some amazing artists that I’ve looked up to for years. It’s been an amazing journey and I’m excited to see what the future holds.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road hasn’t always been smooth, and like many in the music industry, I’ve faced my share of mental and emotional challenges. It can be mentally taxing at times, especially when you’re constantly pushing yourself and balancing the highs and lows. One of the toughest realizations is that you really have to be your own biggest fan. There are moments when self-doubt and imposter syndrome creep in, and it can feel overwhelming. Keeping my passion for music at the forefront is what helps me push through those tough times. At the end of the day, it’s all about the love of the music.
It’s also incredibly important to surround yourself with people who genuinely respect your craft and support you, especially during those moments of self-doubt. I’ve had nights where I questioned myself, but I’m so grateful for the support of my partner and my friends who’ve helped me snap out of it and stay focused. Those people make all the difference.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a DJ and producer, and I perform under two different aliases: Michelle Be Real and Michelle Mendez (my maiden name). As Michelle Be Real, I specialize in house music, and I’m known for blending a range of house styles throughout my sets, from tech house and latin house to jackin house. Originally, I played both house and techno under one name, but after a couple of years, I decided to split the projects. The two genres felt distinct in their energy, and I realized it would be clearer and more focused for my audience if I separated them. Since then, I’ve been able to fully embrace each side of my sound without feeling constrained.
What I think sets me apart though is how I pull inspiration from both worlds. I love infusing my house sets with elements of techno and vice versa. For example, I might take the darker, driving energy of a techno track and blend it into my house set to create a deeper vibe, or I’ll bring some of the groovy, rhythmic elements of house into a techno set to give it a bit more warmth. I feel like it’s this crossover that really makes my sets stand out. I’m not afraid to experiment and play with contrasts, which allows me to create a sense of energy throughout my sets.
I’m most proud of the freedom I’ve gained since separating the two projects. It’s allowed me to focus on my individual sound with each alias, while still staying true to the elements of both genres that inspire me the most. It was hands down the best decision I made for myself along this path.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I’m forever grateful to my OG mentors, Ryan and Luis from Kittypack. They were incredible teachers who truly knew their stuff and focused on giving me a solid foundation. They taught me the fundamentals and helped me learn how to troubleshoot and fix mistakes quickly—something that’s key for any newbie DJ. Those Thursday night sessions meant the world to me, and I learned so much in such a short period of time.
I also owe a huge thank you to my production mentors from Gallery 130—Sebastian (Karma Black), Eric (Ewek), Yoan (Killmor), and all of our guest instructors—as well as my mentor JayCee (ElezD). Each of you has inspired me and given me the tools to take my passion to the next level, helping me create my own original tracks. I’m beyond grateful for your guidance and for everything you do for the community.
Saving the best for last – I’m so incredibly grateful for my amazing husband Kevin. We’ve been with each other since 2016 and got married in 2020, so we were together way before I even started DJing and he’s been beyond supportive of me from day 1. DJing is NOT for the weak and he’s been there for me every step of the way. Kev – Thank you for jumping on this wild roller coaster with me, enduring all the late nights and crowded dance floors just to watch your girl do her thing. I love you – Forever isn’t long enough <3.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ra.co/dj/michellebereal and https://ra.co/dj/michellemendez
- Instagram: @djmichellebereal and @michellemendezmusic
- soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/michellebereal
- Other: https://soundcloud.com/michellemendezmusic
Image Credits
Jeremy Rich, Suzy DiMinno
