I’m a full-time dentist with a practice in Santa Monica, and my story in the Palisades began in 2013 when my wife and I moved here to build our family. We now have two children who are proud Paul Revere Middle School students. We’ve been grateful to call the Palisades home for more than a decade.
Our son, known locally as “DJ Ace,” is an 8th grader who has been DJ’ing since the age of 8 and has quickly become a familiar name at Palisades birthday parties, community gatherings, and school events. After the recent wildfires, he and I felt compelled to find a meaningful way to support our neighbors and contribute to rebuilding the spirit of our community.
In August 2025, we partnered with our friend Andrew Hires “DJ Godwin”, a Neuroscience Professor at USC, to create Pali Beats—a community-driven nonprofit dedicated to restoring joy, resilience, and togetherness in the aftermath of disaster. Through music and live DJ events, Pali Beats brings neighbors together, supports displaced families, uplifts local workers, and fosters healing through shared connection. Our mission is simple but powerful: to transform recovery into renewal by harnessing the unifying energy of music.
Our inaugural event at Spruzzo Restaurant & Bar sold out within two weeks and welcomed more than 130 attendees. We continued with larger gatherings at Gladstones in September and October, each drawing more than 200 community members. These events have served as moments of joy for affected residents and direct support for workers who were hit the hardest.
Our hope is to continue building on this momentum—using the therapeutic and uplifting power of electronic music to bring people together, strengthen local businesses, and help the Palisades heal, one beat at a time.
Let’s Share Your Story
Tell us a little about yourself. Where did your story begin, and what led you to the Palisades?
I’m a full-time dentist with a practice in Santa Monica, and my story in the Palisades began in 2013 when my wife and I moved here to build our family. We now have two children who are proud Paul Revere Middle School students. We’ve been grateful to call the Palisades home for more than a decade.
Our son, known locally as “DJ Ace,” is an 8th grader who has been DJ’ing since the age of 8 and has quickly become a familiar name at Palisades birthday parties, community gatherings, and school events. After the recent wildfires, he and I felt compelled to find a meaningful way to support our neighbors and contribute to rebuilding the spirit of our community.
In August 2025, we partnered with our friend Andrew Hires “DJ Godwin”, a Neuroscience Professor at USC, to create Pali Beats—a community-driven nonprofit dedicated to restoring joy, resilience, and togetherness in the aftermath of disaster. Through music and live DJ events, Pali Beats brings neighbors together, supports displaced families, uplifts local workers, and fosters healing through shared connection. Our mission is simple but powerful: to transform recovery into renewal by harnessing the unifying energy of music.
Our inaugural event at Spruzzo Restaurant & Bar sold out within two weeks and welcomed more than 130 attendees. We continued with larger gatherings at Gladstones in September and October, each drawing more than 200 community members. These events have served as moments of joy for affected residents and direct support for workers who were hit the hardest.
Our hope is to continue building on this momentum—using the therapeutic and uplifting power of electronic music to bring people together, strengthen local businesses, and help the Palisades heal, one beat at a time.
How long have you lived or worked here — and what do you love most about it?
Since 2013. What I love most about living in the Palisades is the true sense of community.
Tell us about your work or your passion — past, present, or future. What lights you up?
I’ve been practicing Dentistry since 2003 and love what I do. My passion is music, mixing electronic music and dj’ing, attending music shows with my wife and friends.
Tell us a little about your family, community or what “home” means to you.
My wife works for a biotech company in Oncology space. She has been very involved with the community through Friends of Marquez, TPY “Theatre Palisades”, and various cancer advocacy groups. We have 2 children at Paul Revere Middle School who both previously attended Marquez Charter Elementary. The recent wildfires deepened our appreciation for what “home” really is. It’s not just where you live—it’s the people who rally around you in tough times. That spirit of care and resilience is what inspired us to create Pali Beats, as a way to help uplift our neighbors and bring a little joy back into the lives of those who were affected. For us, the Palisades isn’t just a place on the map. It’s the place where our family has grown, where we’ve built lifelong friendships, and where we feel connected to something bigger than ourselves. Home is community—and this community means everything to us.
What’s something unique or special about the Palisades that you’ve experienced firsthand?
Sense of community, Small town, Beautiful nature: you don’t feel like you’re in the big city of LA but you’re close enough, mountains/beach/hiking trails, Great schools
Community Favorites
Is/Was there a local business that makes you feel nostalgic or rooted here?
Garden Cafe, Cafe Vida, Ronny’s Market, Casa Nostra, Gladstones
Who’s the most interesting or inspiring person you’ve met here in the Palisades?
Lara and Jon Ganz – The duo behind TPY- Theatre Palisades: even though their home burned down, they along with the other co-directors continued on with the play, inspiring all of us, kept the children going with the theatre, and brought us all hope and joy
Fire Reflection
What stands out most from your experience?
How the community supports each other during tough times. Resilience of our community. Believing in the magic of this community and people rebuilding. The love for Palisades.
Was there someone — a neighbor, local hero, or group — that really made a difference for you during or after the fires?
Our neighbor Ryan Nash who cut burning trees and fought to save our HOA; our neighbors Matt Hardin & Mary Fish – the first to check on our house post-fire, saved our fish; my friend Navid Jannati – found my car on Palisades Dr, checked on our home, Traci Park
What did the experience teach you about the Palisades or about yourself?
Life is full of challenges, challenges never end, but gotta keep fighting. These challenges are like big waves in the ocean. You can either ride them or let them drown you. We Palisadians are a resilient bunch and we fight for our community.
A Few Fun Ones
What advice would you give to others — in life, work, or being a good neighbor?
Don’t ever give up, stay positive, believe the best in people, be there for each other. There’s light at the end of tunnel
What’s something about you that would surprise most people?
I learned to DJ from my son when he was 11
Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
In 10 years: Retire from Dentistry, living mostly in Palisades as our base, traveling the world with family, dj’ing and mixing music
