"Good taste makes me swoon."
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April 12, 2011
DJ AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER
Emily Jones
Good taste makes me swoon.
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The interview
Emily Jones is a 31 year old DJ and elementary school teacher (Information and Communication Technology Specialist). She lives in Milano, Italy.
DS: How did you hear about Dailysingle? What are you expecting from being on the front page?
Emily Jones: I came across Dailysingle on the web, I think one of my facebook friends linked to it and I thought it looked interesting.
Emily Jones: I came across Dailysingle on the web, I think one of my facebook friends linked to it and I thought it looked interesting.
DS: What are the most memorable years of your life and what happened to make them so memorable?
Emily Jones: I think the early part of my twenties were some of the most formative and memorable years of my life to date, as I traveled a lot (I lived in Australia for a year, some friends and I bought an ancient - *gold* - station wagon and drove 4000 km up the cost in the blazing heat, learning to surf and sleeping in our car - or very dodgy hostels etc), but also because I grew a lot as a person, made amazing friends from many walks of life, and finished my undergrad degree in comp sci, and started to get serious about my vinyl collection.
Emily Jones: I think the early part of my twenties were some of the most formative and memorable years of my life to date, as I traveled a lot (I lived in Australia for a year, some friends and I bought an ancient - *gold* - station wagon and drove 4000 km up the cost in the blazing heat, learning to surf and sleeping in our car - or very dodgy hostels etc), but also because I grew a lot as a person, made amazing friends from many walks of life, and finished my undergrad degree in comp sci, and started to get serious about my vinyl collection.
DJing bit didn't happen till one of my ex boyfriends left me his turntables and my vinyl habit got out of control.
DS: Where were you born and where do you live now?
Emily Jones: I was born in a small town in Southern Ontario, Canada, My parents immigrated to Canada in the 60's - my dad is British and my mom is Polish (and Spanish), and they had firm ideas on how children should be brought up (quite different from other "Canadian" families around us), so I grew up with a lot of classical music, many, many books and nearly zero television - I was only allowed to watch films made before 1970, and I think this may have spawned my love of vintage music and things from the 60's in general. I currently live in Milan, where I'm working as a DJ and as an elementary school teacher (ICT specialist for kindergarten to grade 6 and sys admin), and I also volunteer for an Italian based charity for Cambodian children ( www.ilnodoonlus.com).
Emily Jones: I was born in a small town in Southern Ontario, Canada, My parents immigrated to Canada in the 60's - my dad is British and my mom is Polish (and Spanish), and they had firm ideas on how children should be brought up (quite different from other "Canadian" families around us), so I grew up with a lot of classical music, many, many books and nearly zero television - I was only allowed to watch films made before 1970, and I think this may have spawned my love of vintage music and things from the 60's in general. I currently live in Milan, where I'm working as a DJ and as an elementary school teacher (ICT specialist for kindergarten to grade 6 and sys admin), and I also volunteer for an Italian based charity for Cambodian children ( www.ilnodoonlus.com).
DS: How would you best describe yourself?
Emily Jones: On first glance, I can appear to be fairly reserved, but people usually can tell from my smile (and I smile a lot) that I'm a really sociable person who loves company, and thrives on human interaction - I love to cheer other people up, whether it is through music or just spending time with them. That being said, I also very much appreciate my alone time, whether it is for writing, reading, or listening to music - this is extremely necessary in my hectic life, in order to stay sane.
Emily Jones: On first glance, I can appear to be fairly reserved, but people usually can tell from my smile (and I smile a lot) that I'm a really sociable person who loves company, and thrives on human interaction - I love to cheer other people up, whether it is through music or just spending time with them. That being said, I also very much appreciate my alone time, whether it is for writing, reading, or listening to music - this is extremely necessary in my hectic life, in order to stay sane.
CONTACT HER
DS: What are the must-haves in your daily wardrobe?
Emily Jones: Scarves, simple black/blue flared pants and v-necks. I am also guilty of getting identical copies made of old, worn out favorites.
Emily Jones: Scarves, simple black/blue flared pants and v-necks. I am also guilty of getting identical copies made of old, worn out favorites.
DS: Who do people tell you you look like?
Emily Jones: Hilary Swank! I get that a lot. I'm pretty neutral on this.
Emily Jones: Hilary Swank! I get that a lot. I'm pretty neutral on this.
DS: What is the compliment you most frequently get?
Emily Jones: You have an amazing smile.
Emily Jones: You have an amazing smile.
Photo by Christina Riley
DS: How did you end-up being a DJ and elementary school teacher?
Emily Jones: I've been opinionated about music since babyhood, but the DJing bit didn't happen til one of my ex boyfriends left me his turntables and my vinyl habit got out of control and I had to find a way of supporting it outside of my day job... I dropped of a demo at one of the nicest wine bars in town (I was living in Canada at the time) and it took off from there. A few years later I started getting gig offers in Europe as well, and after a couple of years of shuttling back and forth I decided to move there (also after falling madly in love with an Italian, we won't go into that right now). The teaching part came later, I'd worked in high tech for ages but after a financial crisis in the internet company I was working for, I decided to search out other options that would make use of my computer science background.
Emily Jones: I've been opinionated about music since babyhood, but the DJing bit didn't happen til one of my ex boyfriends left me his turntables and my vinyl habit got out of control and I had to find a way of supporting it outside of my day job... I dropped of a demo at one of the nicest wine bars in town (I was living in Canada at the time) and it took off from there. A few years later I started getting gig offers in Europe as well, and after a couple of years of shuttling back and forth I decided to move there (also after falling madly in love with an Italian, we won't go into that right now). The teaching part came later, I'd worked in high tech for ages but after a financial crisis in the internet company I was working for, I decided to search out other options that would make use of my computer science background.
DS: Can you tell us more about your job?
Emily Jones: During the day, I work at a bilingual elementary school just outside of Milan, where I am the ICT teacher, sys admin and general odd job technology go to person. At night, twice a week, I work at a 5 star hotel bar lounge in Milan (the Principe di Savoia), at present, where I play downtempo, jazz, bossa nova, instrumental hip hop, and whatever else moves me. I also occasionally DJ at private parties other other events around Italy/Europe, when people are looking for the particular atmosphere that I provide.
Emily Jones: During the day, I work at a bilingual elementary school just outside of Milan, where I am the ICT teacher, sys admin and general odd job technology go to person. At night, twice a week, I work at a 5 star hotel bar lounge in Milan (the Principe di Savoia), at present, where I play downtempo, jazz, bossa nova, instrumental hip hop, and whatever else moves me. I also occasionally DJ at private parties other other events around Italy/Europe, when people are looking for the particular atmosphere that I provide.
Paris, 2007
DS: Let's talk more about you and your tastes. Any hobbies? What do you like to do in your free time? Any thing you like and recommend?
Emily Jones: Free time? What free time... :) Well, I do have a little, but not much. I also work for an Italian based Charity for Cambodian children and families, called Il Nodo Onlus (they provide education, water filters etc.), doing website work and tech support, so when I'm not at school or DJing I'm often doing this. However I also love meeting up with friends in and around Milan, for coffee or drinks, I run in the summer months, and I love to read, although I have precious little time for it these days.
Emily Jones: Free time? What free time... :) Well, I do have a little, but not much. I also work for an Italian based Charity for Cambodian children and families, called Il Nodo Onlus (they provide education, water filters etc.), doing website work and tech support, so when I'm not at school or DJing I'm often doing this. However I also love meeting up with friends in and around Milan, for coffee or drinks, I run in the summer months, and I love to read, although I have precious little time for it these days.
DS: What is a typical week for Emily Jones?
Emily Jones: My weeks are pretty full, as you can imagine, with teaching during the day, and djing or volunteering at night, a lot of early mornings and late nights, so weekends are usually my catch-up days for all the odd jobs I haven't done during the week, when I can, I meet up with friends for drinks after school, and I always make time to talk to my parents on skype, at least once a week. I also try to fit in at least one slice of chocolate cake each week! My Italian landlady is also amazing and feeds me with fabulous food whenever she gets the chance - I am very blessed!
Emily Jones: My weeks are pretty full, as you can imagine, with teaching during the day, and djing or volunteering at night, a lot of early mornings and late nights, so weekends are usually my catch-up days for all the odd jobs I haven't done during the week, when I can, I meet up with friends for drinks after school, and I always make time to talk to my parents on skype, at least once a week. I also try to fit in at least one slice of chocolate cake each week! My Italian landlady is also amazing and feeds me with fabulous food whenever she gets the chance - I am very blessed!
DS: Some quick questions: What is the first thing you do in the morning?
Emily Jones: Take my vitamins (my mum sends them from Canada)!
Emily Jones: Take my vitamins (my mum sends them from Canada)!
DS: What is your favorite word?
Emily Jones: Extraordinary.
Emily Jones: Extraordinary.
DS: What it your favorite quotation? Or make your own for posterity...
Emily Jones: Girls like me are very rare (Julie Christie, as Petulia)
Emily Jones: Girls like me are very rare (Julie Christie, as Petulia)
DS: What is your favorite "drug"?
Emily Jones: Music.
Emily Jones: Music.
The photo shoot
DS: What magic power would you like to have if you could choose one?
Emily Jones: To cross great distances in the blink of an eye.
Emily Jones: To cross great distances in the blink of an eye.
DS: If not yourself, who would you be?
Emily Jones: Audrey Hepburn - she is class personified.
Emily Jones: Audrey Hepburn - she is class personified.
DS: What is in store for you? Any key projects for the next months? Anything you want to share? Can our readers help you with anything?
Emily Jones: Currently I'm trying to decide if I want to move back to Canada to get my master's degree... or to move to Cambodia to teach... or to stay in Italy and enjoy life here a little longer. Decisions, decisions!
Emily Jones: Currently I'm trying to decide if I want to move back to Canada to get my master's degree... or to move to Cambodia to teach... or to stay in Italy and enjoy life here a little longer. Decisions, decisions!
DS: Anything you want to add to close this interview?
Emily Jones: I'm so grateful for the plethora of wonderful people I've met, and amazing experiences I've already had in my life, I can only wait and see what comes next!
Emily Jones: I'm so grateful for the plethora of wonderful people I've met, and amazing experiences I've already had in my life, I can only wait and see what comes next!
DS: Thank you Emily Jones
Emily Jones: Thank you!!
Emily Jones: Thank you!!
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