MY LIFE A LA MOD...

Originally from New Jersey, my real name is Kellee McQuinn. Music and dancing were my first languages. I’ve literally been dancing since I was in the womb. My mother was a dance teacher and music was a constant in my life as far back as I can remember. We had a dance studio in our house where my mom would teach all the neighborhood kids and my bedroom was right above it. I danced in that studio every chance I could get… I honestly think it saved my life as a bullied teen. After a rough day in middle school, I would just go in there, close the doors, dim the lights, put on my favorite song and be free. I never liked structure or technique though. It was always about freestyle - just connecting with the music and letting it move me. And although I never played an instrument (I will always regret quitting piano in the 3rd grade) my mom taught me to pay attention to every part of a song - every note, every beat, every pause, every musical change. From a young age I was exposed to so many genres and truly have an appreciation for it all. Music is magic and I just couldn’t imagine life without it.

My first career blended my passions for music, dancing and my natural ability to connect with kids through an organization I founded called KidTribe. What started out as a freestyle dance program to create community and build self esteem for children ages 5-12 turned into an international obesity prevention and nutrition program where I’ve personally worked with millions of kids through our hip-hop-hula-hooping road show, Hoopapalooza. It was quite a ride, taking me all over the country and even internationally with programs in Canada, China, and all throughout the UK. I had the honor and privilege of partnering with First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign and I performed at the White House Easter Egg Roll from 2009-2016. We also partnered with Nickelodeon and hooped it up at the Worldwide Day of Play for several years. I then wrote/directed/produced a series called Hoopersize, consisting of original songs and follow-along music videos that were sold to several thousand schools. This program won all sorts of awards and studies have shown its success in promoting healthy behaviors for kids. Working with children on this level was one of the most rewarding (and exhausting) experiences of my life. 

Harnessing the power of music to teach, I went on to write/direct/produce a hip-hop musical for NASA that educates kids about the solar system through performing their own play. It won a Telly Award and is still going strong in schools across the country. From there I created several music-based kids’ educational TV series for PBS, Netflix and Amazon Prime that won Parents Choice Awards and were nominated for an Emmy Award. I also produced a number of dance films and music videos along the way. I truly love being behind the camera, working with an dedicated team and seeing a project from concept to completion.

Then one day while on set, I heard myself say, “If I could do it all over again, I’d be a DJ.” So I bought some equipment, taught myself how to mix and was surprised with how natural it felt. Almost instantly, this new hobby took off like gangbusters and I couldn’t believe how much joy it brought to my life. I look forward to seeing where this journey takes me and feel so fortunate to have had the opportunities to work with some icons in the music industry, as well as amazing artists, clients, colleagues and venues. Whether I'm playing a festival for thouands of people or an intimate club, being at the helm of the collective experience and providing the gift of music and dancing to connect with each other and uplift our spirits ... there are times when I'm so happy, I feel like crying. It's like that little girl in the dance studio gets to share her pure love with all these people. And it's amazing. 

On another note, I also love clothes. Like, I really, really, really love clothes. Especially vintage. That's where the MODGIRL name came from... my obsession with 60's mod fashion. Although I notoriously play house music and disco, I'll always be a mod girl at heart. 

So, in a nutshell, that's me... thanks for reading... thanks for listening... thanks for supporting. And please, no matter what, keep dancing!

-kellee