Conversations with Cristina

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cristina.

Hi Cristina, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It all started when I was 11 years old, playing music from my iPod for my own enjoyment. This eventually led me to plug into my friend’s iHome speakers for our friendly gatherings at my friend Cheyenne Mueller’s common area space on West Ave, Miami Beach, FL. Once we figured out how to connect to the iHome system, everything changed for the future of Cristina Hernandez.

We had so much fun listening to the music I personally downloaded onto my iPod, singing along, and simply enjoying the vibes with friends. That’s when I realized I needed louder speakers. I started asking my parents for a PA speaker set and a small DJ turntable for Black Friday and Christmas. The PA system I received wasn’t self-powered—it was a Harbinger set—and my DJ controller was a Numark Mixtrack Pro, simple yet effective for getting the job done.

Once I learned how to use the controller and PA system, I started looking online for cool lights, which I would order using my family’s eBay account (it was cheaper there than at local music stores or even AliExpress).

Once my setup was complete, I started finding any reason to celebrate—surprise birthdays, friends’ and family members’ birthdays—just so I could bring my DJ setup at my own expense. Eventually, people started asking me to play at full parties, not just when I offered. This led me to set my first flat-rate price of $175 for DJ services (with no hour limit), all thanks to my father, who advised me that I should charge for my time and valuable equipment. Over the next 13 years, my mobile DJing turned into a “paid hobby” until I founded Selva Beats MIA in April 2023, after Miami Music Week.

I’ve always played all genres and was known for being an “open format” DJ. I continued growing my music collection while balancing school and my full-time job. During my first 13 years of DJing, I only performed at private parties within my network of family and friends across Miami-Dade County, mainly focusing on Miami Beach.

From 2016-2019, I attended Florida International University and studied abroad for six months at La Autónoma de Madrid in 2018.

From 2019-2024, I was grateful to work at Mater Beach Academy under Academica Charter Schools, where I started as an assistant. I then covered a maternity leave position for a first-grade class, which later led me to teaching kindergarten just two weeks before COVID-19 hit. When schools transitioned to virtual learning on Zoom, I adapted alongside my students.

When in-person classes resumed, I helped lead a kindergarten team of new teachers before completing my last year of teaching in 2024 as a Physical Education teacher for K-8 students.

Oh, and I almost forgot—I had the pleasure of DJing for my students throughout the school years whenever music was incorporated into our programs!

The Birth of Selva Beats MIA: A Platform for DJs & Community Growth

Selva Beats MIA was founded in 2023 with the mission of bringing DJs together, creating opportunities, and building a strong music community in Miami.

Before launching Selva Beats MIA, I had spent years DJing independently, primarily within my personal network, without much connection to the broader DJ scene. That changed when I was fortunate to meet the DJ community through my good friend, DJ Tom Maulini. After meeting more and more local DJs and I had an exciting burst of focus in wanting to put together a party where we could support, showcase, and uplift one another.

As I started engaging with Miami’s music scene, I saw firsthand how many talented DJs were looking for opportunities to perform, collaborate, and be part of a creative community. I wanted to build something that wasn’t just about individual success but about creating space for everyone to grow together.

This vision led to the creation of Selva Beats MIA—a platform and collective dedicated to uniting DJs, providing resources, events, and performance opportunities. All we needed was a venue to bring this vision to life.

That’s when I went straight to Sandbar Kitchen & Bar (a.k.a. The Sandbox) on 67th and Collins Ave in North Beach. It became the home for our first weekly DJ showcase, open decks nights, and brainstorming sessions. This wasn’t just about throwing parties—it was about creating a movement where DJs could connect, perform, and build their careers with real support behind them and represent the all inclusivity melting pot effect of Miami’s culture when one meets another, no matter what background they come from, as long as it took place in Miami.

I had already been DJing at Sandbar weekly for Ladies’ Night before COVID hit. Thanks to Timothy Wilcox, the owner and a dear family friend, I was able to pitch him the idea of Selva Beats, by placing a date for our Summer Launch Party. In between I was able to start a weekly Tuesday DJ showcase where local DJs could come and play open-format sets, while seeing the venue where the Summer Launch was going to be hosted. This eventually led to brainstorming and planning everything we needed for our Selva Beats MIA Summer Launch in June 2023.

As the weeks went on, more DJs joined, and a solid Selva Family was formed. The flamingo became our symbol simply because I had an extra stuffed animal from my Miami Music Week Amazon purchases. My best friend, Helena Bouchard, and I decided to bring the flamingo to every showcase and place it on the DJ booth for aesthetics. Soon, it became our mascot, traveling everywhere with us.

In May 2023, we hosted our first beach party for Memorial Day Weekend at Crandon Park, Key Biscayne, FL. It was a true community effort, with DJs coming together to bring the vision to life. Even my 86-year-old grandfather came to enjoy the music! The decorations and aesthetics looked amazing, with pink flamingos everywhere—an homage to Selva Beats MIA and my lifelong favorite color, hot pink.

From that moment on, we started throwing parties all over Miami, Brickell, Wynwood, South Miami, North Miami, and beyond.

Love Burn & the Turning Point
In February 2024, I had the honor of leading a camp at Love Burn, the South Regional Burning Man event, under our camp Galactic Jungle. It was the hardest project I had ever taken on. I had never even heard of Love Burn until fellow DJs mentioned it, and yet, after applying, we got the green light to go full force.

I dove headfirst into the challenge, managing an entire 7,800 sq. ft. sound camp, bringing in two European DJs who had never performed in the U.S. before. The experience was beyond exhausting, but I pushed through, making sure everything was built, programmed, and running smoothly for the entire festival.

After Love Burn, I was completely drained—physically, mentally, and emotionally. I still took on a Sunday residency at Racket Wynwood, using it as a music release showcase for our artists. However, things came to an abrupt halt on March 11, 2024 when I was drugged at my own event.

My car key was stolen, my house keys were lost (including a keychain engraved with “City of Miami Beach”), and I almost lost my life that night. If it weren’t for fellow DJs who noticed something was wrong, I might not be here today. I collapsed in the bathroom, unable to control my body. The last thing I remember was gasping for air, feeling as if I had just woken up from drowning. Thanks to quick-thinking friends, I was stabilized through hydration before being taken to the hospital, where I met my mother.

After that night, I made a decision:

I quit drinking alcohol entirely as a form of self-protection.
I removed myself from the party scene and moved back in with my parents.
I refocused my energy on creating safer spaces for women.
The Birth of Anonymous Frequencies
From that experience, I created Anonymous Frequencies, a women’s empowerment community where women can share life experiences without fear of social judgment. My goal was to shift my focus inward—not reacting to negativity, but instead, prioritizing self-protection and personal growth.

I also wrote a children’s book, “Selva The Flamingo: DJ of The City”, which tells a special story based on my own journey—from a young kid with a love for music to DJing all over my city, Miami. My dream is to bring this book to students worldwide, eventually creating versions for different cities around the globe.

This journey has been anything but easy, but every challenge has led me to where I am today. Selva Beats MIA, Anonymous Frequencies, and my children’s book are only the beginning of what’s to come.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but every day that I choose not to drink alcohol, I gain more clarity and stay on course with my projects and plans. I used to believe that I couldn’t DJ sober, thinking alcohol was part of the party experience when Selva Beats first started. But in reality, being clear-minded and focused allows me to connect even deeper with the music. Waking up every day without a hangover gives me the energy and drive to tackle any challenge and keep pushing forward.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Music has been my passion since I was 11 years old, and today, it’s both my full-time career and creative outlet. As a DJ and music producer, I blend house music with Latin percussion and tropical rhythms, capturing the vibrant energy of Miami. My sets are high-energy, deeply rhythmic, and infused with my Cuban-Spanish roots, giving them a distinctive sound that people instantly recognize.

Beyond performing, I founded Selva Beats MIA, a platform dedicated to bringing artists together to showcase Miami’s unique sound and connect with talent worldwide. Through Selva Beats, I’ve hosted and collaborated with artists from Europe and Latin America, fostering a cultural fusion through music. More recently, I launched Anonymous Frequencies, an experimental project that pushes creative boundaries in sound and storytelling.

What sets me apart is my versatility. Having started as an open-format DJ, I’ve developed the ability to read any crowd and adapt my sound while still maintaining my signature style. For me, music is more than just entertainment—it’s a powerful tool for uniting people, creating unforgettable moments, and sharing cultural experiences.

One of my proudest moments was making my debut in Ibiza, Spain, in September 2024 for the Ibiza Stardust Resident Party at Ocean Drive Hotel Skybar, Ibiza Town. (Watch here: YouTube link).

At the core of everything I do, it’s all about energy, connection, and keeping the creativity alive—and that’s what drives me every single day.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Collaboration is at the heart of everything I do. I love connecting with creatives who share the same passion for music, culture, and storytelling. There are many ways to work together, whether through DJ bookings, music collaborations, event partnerships, or creative projects.

🎵 For Artists, Producers, & DJs:
I’m always open to new ideas—whether it’s co-producing a track, remixing, or experimenting with new sounds. I thrive on blending genres and pushing musical boundaries, so if you have a unique vision, let’s bring it to life!

🎧 For Brands, Venues, & Event Organizers:
I curate high-energy DJ sets that bring people together—whether it’s a club night, festival, or private event. Through Selva Beats MIA, I also produce events that showcase Miami’s signature sound while connecting with global talent.

💡 Ways to Support:
The best way to support my journey is to stream and share my music, attend events, or reach out and connect! I truly appreciate everyone who resonates with my energy and vision, and I’m always excited to build with like-minded creatives.

📲 Let’s connect!
🔗 Virtual Business Card: Popl Link
📞 Business Cell: 305-335-9283
📩 Email:

cristihernzmusic@gmail.com
info@selvabeatsmia.com
bookcristihernz@selvabeatsmia.com
📸 Instagram:

@selvabeatsmia
@anonymousfrequencies_
@cristihernzofficial_
Let’s link up and create something unforgettable! 🚀🔥

Pricing:

• Free creative consultation first time
• Self Made Sound: How To Market Yourself as an Artist Ebook (Amazon) = $9.99

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cristihernzmusic.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/cristihernzofficial_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564375854984
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristina-hernandez-454300b2
• Twitter: https://x.com/cristihernzofc
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@cristihernzmusic
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/cristihernz
• Other: https://www.selvabeatsmia.com