The typical DJ Will Brady event features the young disc jockey with his right arm in the air moving to the music while the left controls the tempo of the song. The crowd dances while Brady squints at his gear, picking out the next tune.

Brady, a junior in the College of Health Sciences, started his own DJ business in May, and despite the large investment he made into his business, he is already in the black with profits.

Brady said he took a major chance on his business this summer when he dropped $1,000 on equipment before he even knew if there was room for one more DJ in the Indianapolis and Milwaukee areas.

“There are already a bunch of other disc jockeys at Marquette,” Brady said. “But I knew this was something I could do. It just felt right.”

Brady has worked about 40 events between the two cities so far, and has even been hired for numerous house parties at Marquette. This may seem unusual for students used to a laptop on a couch being the official DJ at most get-togethers.

Brady utilized his Facebook page, DJ Will, and e-mail as promotional tools. He has contacted nearly every high school principal in the area, informing them his prices are half of what most DJs charge. Through his efforts, Brady has booked about a dozen events in Milwaukee so far.

Brendan McCann, a junior in the College of Education, hired Brady to DJ a dance party he held at his house. McCann said having a DJ is worth the cost for the assurance that your computer won’t get dropped, spilled on, or stolen.

Plus, live DJs get people out on the dance floor, McCann said.

Brady said it may seem unnecessary to hire a DJ for a house party, but so far his customers have been happy with the results.

“I must have brought the fire because (McCann) hired me back,” Brady said.

The story of Brady’s ascent to becoming a professional DJ stems from his catering job he had while in high school.

“I witnessed dozens of wedding receptions where the only things I could do was clean tables and people watch,” he said. “So after a while, I could really tell when people weren’t digging the music.

“I always try to play what people want to hear,” he continued.

He is not lying.

Brady possesses a massive 40,000 song library which he says allows him to DJ any event.

Whether it’s a high school dance where Brady gives the gift of techno to grinding teenagers, or a ‘50s theme party for middle-aged adults, Brady makes it a point to know what that particular crowd will enjoy.

Brady has an image he wants to project while he is disc jockeying for younger crowds. And somehow it is connected to wearing NBA jerseys, Brady’s go-to attire while pumping up a crowd.

“I try to use my youth and energy as an advantage for high school dances and college parties,” he said.

Will Bonesso, a junior in the College of Communication, is a part-time employee for Brady. Bonesso helps him set up his gear at gigs, and shoots photos and video of Brady and the crowd for the DJ Will Facebook page.

Bonesso said he was struck by how much Brady enjoys playing music for other people.

“You can always tell that he is really into it when he gets going,“ Bonesso said. “He puts on those head phones, he gets the music playing, and he just loves it.”