When Ngarrindjeri mother Melanie Koolmatrie first started DJing just over a year ago, her 10-year-old daughter Angel Rigney caught the bug.
Described as "very shy” by Melanie, Angel has since stepped out of her comfort zone, following in her mother’s footsteps.
“I’m still very new," Melanie told NITV News, "but because I started doing it, Angel got really interested and said, ‘Mum, this looks really cool.'
"So she started doing gigs with me."
Earlier this year, Angel secured her first-ever paid gig at the Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA), where she plays once a month for around 200 people.
DJ Angel playing a gig at the Art Gallery of South Australia. Source: NITV.
“Angel has been playing here (AGSA) for about 4 or 5 months now… and every time she comes, she’s more confident, she creates her own playlist and she’s really driving it with her creativity,” said Melanie.
“She now has a regular gig at the art gallery which has really taken off for her, so I’m really proud.
“I just want to keep nurturing that. She’s basically booked here for the rest of the year which is really exciting.”
Now, the mother and daughter duo are working together to secure more opportunities and learn more about the industry.
“There are so much more opportunities for Nunga kids in the arts and this is one of those opportunities here (at the AGSA).
Melanie says she wants her daughter to learn more about the craft of DJ'ing. Source: NITV.
"I just want my daughter to keep progressing and moving forward and I really hope it inspires other Nunga kids,” said Melanie.
“I’ve contacted a few DJs and I’m hoping to get like a mentorship or maybe some grants where I can make that happen here in Adelaide, just so she’s building more on her skills, getting more confident and really learning the craft of DJ’ing.”
