masha latte

I have a 12-year professional ballroom dance background, and in competitions I would perform five to ten different dances back-to-back. Each one had its own character and expressive language, and I had to switch moods instantly while still telling one story through movement. In my DJ sets, I naturally move between tempos and inner states the same way I once moved between dances: fluidly, intentionally, and with awareness of how each moment feels in the body. My goal is for people to never get bored, but instead feel surprised, engaged, and emotionally carried through the mix.

My musical education plays a big role too, and I’m very attentive to harmonic flow. It’s not just about matching keys, but about how harmonies interact, almost the way chords work together on a piano. I treat every set as a symphony rather than a collection of random tracks: an opening that sets the mood, a gradual build, moments of tension and release, a clear climax, and a sense of closure at the end.

When I first started, I thought my sound would stay within a few styles I felt comfortable with, which I now see was a mix of familiarity and hesitation to push beyond them. Over time, it has kept expanding, and still evolving - lately I’ve been especially drawn to latin bounce and hard house and exploring how they can blend with the styles I already love.

The most exciting moments for me are when two genres don’t seem like they should work together on paper, but become something unexpected and powerful once I try them live. I love sharing those experiments with the audience, whose reactions are the most honest feedback and continue to shape the direction my sound takes.

In Brooklyn nightlife, I noticed queer parties often fall into a few extremes - either very dark, techno-heavy spaces that can feel intimidating, or pop-leaning parties that center around dating or hooking up, which can create pressure. QUEER PANIC! came from wanting something different: an inclusive space rooted in freedom, where people can show up as they are, feel safe, and simply exist together without any expectations or tension.

The music reflects that intention through a balance of glittery, euphoric, light energy and techno to close the night without losing warmth or openness, often brought to life through B2B sets that blend genres and unite different crowds on the same dancefloor. What I refuse to compromise on is that sense of safety and emotional freedom - QUEER PANIC! will always prioritize community, joy, and genuine connection over trends or aesthetics.

Co-building KOLO has taught me that DJing can be a form of responsibility, not just expression. Because KOLO directly supports Ukraine, where I was born and raised, the project carries deep emotional meaning for me, and that has changed how I approach both my sets and my role in the community.

When I play at KOLO, I treat the music as a channel for the full range of emotions I’ve been living with since 2014 - anger, grief, resilience, hope, and deep gratitude for the people who hold space together.

Building KOLO in New York, surrounded by like-minded people who consistently show up with care, intention, and solidarity, has shown me that real community work is about presence and trust, and it’s made me approach DJing with more honesty, purpose, and accountability.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how easily we move through life on autopilot, especially as busy people, and how simple it is to lose presence without even noticing. I’ve been exploring ways to intentionally “wake myself up” - to shift into deeper awareness, higher energy, and a true flow state instead of staying disengaged or reactive.

This radio set is built around that idea of awakening through sound, using rhythm and momentum as a portal out of autopilot and into presence. My hope is that it acts as a catalyst for listeners to feel more awake, connected, and consciously engaged with their own lives.