DJ Cassandra: Blending Classical Training with Modern Beats
Originally from the Dallas-Fort Worth area but having spent part of her upbringing in London, Award Winning DJ, DJ Cassandra has made a large impact in Austin’s music scene and community. At Austin’s Sips and Sounds Festival, she played a captivating DJ set accompanied by a horn section and guest vocalists. I had the opportunity to sit down with her earlier in the afternoon and here’s what we learned.
Education and Musical Training
DJ Cassandra’s journey in music began at the University of Texas. “I went to UT and studied music composition with the intention of going into film music writing. Over a summer, I did a really intensive program with Berklee, which was awesome. It covered mixing, mastering, and really understanding the production side of music.”
Her time at the University of Texas also provided invaluable networking opportunities. “UT honestly set me up for success for the network… that was imperative. You can be the greatest musician in the world, but if you don’t know anybody?”
Classical and Jazz Piano Background
Beyond her studies in composition, DJ Cassandra is also a classically trained pianist. “To get into UT, you had to be proficient and study with an actual professor, so it was classical piano. And then I was like, ‘Why not?’ because I’m crazy—I wanted to do jazz piano too. I basically didn’t sleep for three and a half years, so that was great.”
Despite the rigorous training, she acknowledges the long-term benefits. “There’s a bit of a disconnect with all the digital overwhelmingness today, but being proficient in it—I hated it back then, but now I’m like, ‘Okay, I dig it.’”
From Pianist to DJ
Cassandra finds that her classical training has positively influenced her DJ career. “The instrumentation I use within my sets, the melodies, the harmonies—all of it. Knowing BPMs and the fundamentals of DJing were already instilled in me, which made for a really nice transition from film composition into DJing.”
Photo by Andrea Escobar Garcia
Involvement in Music Education
As someone who was a music student, Cassandra is very passionate about the benefits of music education. “When I was in high school, my mom passed away, and if I didn’t have a music educator—my jazz band teacher, David Ladd—I probably wouldn’t be doing music. He really believed in me even though I was lost, and that made me decide to study music.”
Now, she hopes to give back in the same way. “I want to open doors for people to walk through as well. That’s a big thing for education—teaching, mentoring, being an advocate, and making sure we have the funding for music education. That’s extremely important to me because it saved me and made me who I am today.” She does this through her involvement in GrammyU and the Recording Academy educational programs.
Music Therapy
Although not a music therapist, DJ Cassandra has collaborated extensively in the field of biomedical music. “We coined this thing called biomedical music, which is basically music connected to neurological devices—like treadmills in rehabilitation centers for people learning to walk again. For a child with cerebral palsy or an adult with Parkinson’s, we created personalized music developed with biomedical technologies to help patients with neurological conditions.”
She truly believes in the healing power of music. “Music is the only way to regain any kind of brain function. It’s music that can help you get there again.”
Advice for Aspiring Music Professionals
For those looking to break into the music industry, DJ Cassandra emphasizes the importance of connections. “Go out and meet everyone you can. Have your foot in every single field. Even if you want to be a DJ or a music therapist, be involved in every field of music because you never know—those people come back into your life.”
She also encourages resilience. “Just try. You’re going to fail. The career trajectory for anybody working for themselves is filled with ups and downs. It’s okay—you’re not failing. The overall arc is going up, but there will be a lot of failures, and that’s a good thing.”
Looking Ahead
What’s next for DJ Cassandra? “Right now, I have so many SXSW gigs, so I’m in the ‘South By’ bubble. But after that, I’m working on music for me. It’s been so long since I’ve made music for myself and not for a film, a commission, or someone else. Hopefully, that will be done this year—a really fun dance record.”
She’s chalked full of experience and has a deep love for music. DJ Cassandra continues to inspire students and music lovers alike. I can’t wait to see what she does next!