Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • Spring 2026 17 SAI Philanries, Inc. couple of opportunities to spin in public, like on a Hudson River cruise during my birthday weekend, and playing for my chapter at our Halloween gathering with creepy-themed tunes like "The Monster Mash" and other fun songs. Knowing the art and DJ scene of Newark, NJ runs deep, I didn't take my debut at my favorite weekly silent disco happy hour lightly. I wanted to honor the culture and show up with my best to add to the cultural conversation of a city and arts scene I'd become a part of. While I put the pressure on myself, something I think most musicians of any kind tend to do, my DJ teachers and other community members reminded me that this was the moment to share and take up space. I'm grateful for their support, just as I'm grateful that our sisterhood helped me take the first step of affording the course. I've immersed myself in the community as a result, showing up to festivals, galleries, open mics, and more. I even helped represent my DJ school at a classical music fair where we used Koala, a sampling app, and taught community members how to sample and create beats out of available sounds (such as a cello, clarinet, or drum playing nearby). We asked some of the classical musicians in attendance if they could perform a musical line we could record and transform, creating a fun collaborative moment and project. The world has opened up so much for me as a result of choosing to pursue this dream, and my relationship with music has deepened greatly. I'm excited to see where this journey continues as I get to explore music as DJ Priscy Plays. I'm grateful our sisterhood can make transformative change in our sisters' lives, which is why advocating, supporting, and sharing information about Sigma Alpha Iota Philanthropies, Inc. remains ever important. The impact is apparent; many sisters have been able to cross significant bridges in their careers with the help of the Professional Development/ Education Grant and other opportunities. Our sisterhood helps make dreams come true, mine included. Priscilla Cordero is a Puerto Rican arts administrator and DJ from New Jersey with experiences in a range of organizations, including The Kennedy Center, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Paper Mill Playhouse, and the DC Commission of Arts and Humanities. She was an initiate of Theta Kappa in 2015 and continues her sisterhood with the Northern New Jersey Alumnae Chapter. Grounded Music Grounded Music Education's all-women Education's all-women DJ course DJ course

• Cover