Schools
Whiz Kid: Daniel 'D.J.' De Neve, Musician
He's a high school sophomore by day and a rock singer and guitarist by night.
Whiz Kid: Daniel "D.J." De Neve
School/Grade: Trabuco Hills High School/sophomore
Residence: Rancho Santa Margarita
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Whiz Kid Achievement: D.J. is the lead singer and guitarist for the band Cities Around Us and recently performed at Chain Reaction in Anaheim.
Key to Awesomeness: By day, he's a high school teen who enjoys math, but when the homework is done, D.J. heads to practice with Cities Around Us, a Christian rock band named after a verse in the Bible. D.J. says he never set out to be a musician, but always had an interest in singing. He took violin and saxophone lessons in school and, when he was 8, picked up guitar. He challenged himself with new techniques and eventually played on his church’s worship team and in the school band. He grew close to several members of the worship team, including lead guitarist Nick Steward and drummer Abel Martinez. After performing at several churches and outside events, the guys discussed forming a band of their own. Abel’s brother Angel soon joined them as bassist, and the group began jamming and writing songs of their own.
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“My favorite part about being in a band is the creativity,” said D.J. “When you’re in a group of guys that are equally, if not more, talented than yourself, and you have the same taste in music and ideas for writing, the creativity has no boundaries.” The guys have challenged themselves by practicing with a metronome, which helps with timing.
D.J. and the guys began by performing for friends and family, then were asked to play at various venues, including Chain Reaction in Anaheim last Friday night. They were also offered the opportunity to record a demo in a professional studio with producer Gary Gray, who D.J. calls “amazing.” Gray gave the band practical tips for practicing as a team so they could mature musically together.
“I think at the pace we are moving at, in a few years we may have a record deal and a CD release,” said D.J. For now, he said he remains grateful to God and excited about the chance to do what he loves and share it with others.
