Meet Neil Prestia, a senior here at UMass Amherst majoring in Finance with a minor in Italian Studies. From late-night gigs to early morning classes, Neil has found a way to balance his academic goals with his passion for DJing, a craft he has been perfecting over the past few years.
Along with the joy he finds in DJing, Neil’s appreciation for language extends beyond his studies. His admiration for Italian is deeply personal. His family comes from Sicily, but when his grandparents immigrated to the U.S., the language faded over time. Determined to reclaim his heritage, Neil has taken it upon himself to learn Italian, bridging the generational gap and reviving the linguistic ties to his roots.
Among his Italian courses, one stands out: ITAL 371, Advanced Italian Grammar, with Professor Arturo Figliola. He describes the class as a joyful and engaging learning environment, where the passion of the professor enhances the experience. He says it makes learning Italian even more exciting.
Just as Neil’s love for Italian was shaped by his family and heritage, his passion for music follows a similar path. Growing up in a musical family, his father, a jazz drummer, introduced him to music early on, sparking an interest that led him to explore various instruments, including drums, saxophone, trumpet, bass, and later, the guitar. High school proved to be a transformative period musically, as he played in a jazz band outside of school.
When COVID-19 hit, Neil turned to music production to pass the time. Inspired by Tame Impala, he started experimenting with music-making, a hobby that soon became a serious pursuit. His breakthrough came during his first Italian class at UMass, where he met graduate TA Joseph Distasio—who, coincidentally, was also producing music. Joseph introduced him to the world of music production, and through trial and error, Neil sharpened his skills.
Last spring, Neil took his passion further by purchasing his own DJ board. He practiced intensively over the summer and, by fall, joined Local Mojo, a student-run organization that promotes music and organizes events in Amherst. Now, he plays gigs every Thursday and Sunday, with Monkey Bar being his favorite venue. “The crowd there is the most accepting of house and electronic music, which is what I love to create,” he says.
For Neil, DJing is more than just pressing play—it’s about technique and connection. “There’s a lot of skill involved in mixing music. Finding two songs that blend well together, matching keys, and transitioning smoothly—it all takes practice,” he explains. One of the most rewarding parts for him is when audience members recognize and appreciate his technical skills.
Another highlight is the communal energy of the crowd. “Some songs hold a nostalgic place in people’s hearts. Seeing a whole crowd react to a song they love—it’s an incredible feeling.”
One of Neil’s most unforgettable sets happened just a few weeks ago at Monkey Bar. The night started slow, so he and a fellow DJ played popular crowd-pleasers. But after a while, the energy dipped. Taking a risk, they switched to house and electronic music. Within minutes, the crowd came alive, and by midnight, the bar was packed. It turned out to be one of Monkey Bar’s best-selling nights.
Balancing school and DJing hasn’t been easy, especially with Thursday night gigs followed by early Friday classes. But the biggest hurdle was performing in front of an audience for the first time. “It was terrifying,” he admits. “It felt like putting myself in a really vulnerable position.”
However, much like learning Italian, practice made perfect. Over time, he built confidence—both in speaking a new language and performing on stage. He also draws parallels between the supportive communities he’s found in both fields. “Local Mojo and the Italian Department have both been incredibly encouraging. In both, there’s no harsh criticism, just support and guidance.”
As he prepares for graduation, Neil is applying for master’s programs in finance, with plans to stay in the Boston area. But his DJ career isn’t ending anytime soon—he hopes to continue playing gigs in Boston’s music scene.
To keep up with Neil’s music, follow him on Instagram at @realnicnova, and check out @localmojoumass to support the student-run music organization.
With his passion for finance, Italian, and DJing, Neil Prestia is proving that you don’t have to choose just one path—you can create your own mix.