Meet Cristina | Dj, Producer, Entrepreneur, Educator, Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cristina and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cristina, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
Doing what I wanted was always a risk. Choosing music at such a young age, stepping into spaces where I didn’t always see someone like me, and staying true to my sound and identity — it’s all been risky. But I never really looked at the barriers in front of me as stop signs. I saw them, but I didn’t give them the power to hold me back.

Taking risks has shaped my entire career. From launching Selva Beats to producing and platforming international artists, to transitioning into house music — every big move I’ve made came from trusting myself even when I couldn’t see the whole path. I’m so grateful that I didn’t stop, that I kept moving despite fear or uncertainty.

I think when you take risks, you invite growth. You step into the unknown and say, “I believe in myself more than I fear what might go wrong.” That mindset has brought me to places I once dreamed about — and I know it’ll keep pushing me forward.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art has always been rooted in rhythm, energy, and the power of connection. As a DJ and producer, what sets me apart is how I fuse genres through a percussion-driven, Latin-tropical lens that reflects both my Cuban-Spanish roots and the vibrant, untamed energy of Miami. I bring that flavor into everything I do — whether it’s a house set, an open format party, or a beat I produce. It’s more than music for me — it’s storytelling, it’s soul, and it’s a way to bring people together.

What a lot of people don’t know is that while I was building this passion, I was also on a very different path professionally. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Health and Fitness from Florida International University, and eventually became a teacher — working with students from kindergarten through 8th grade, with a special focus on the youngest and middle schoolers. Even then, music never left me. I was DJing on weekends, creating mixes after work, and constantly dreaming up new ways to blend sound with purpose.

The turning point came when I found the community aspect of the DJ world. That’s when Selva Beats MIA was born — and everything shifted. It started as a way to uplift Miami’s sound and give local artists a platform, but it quickly became my full-on life’s work. The power of community through music changed everything for me. Suddenly, I wasn’t just playing for myself — I was creating spaces where culture could thrive, artists could shine, and people from all over the world could feel connected to Miami’s heartbeat.

Getting here wasn’t easy. There were challenges, especially navigating the expectations that come with choosing a nontraditional path. But I never stopped. I stayed loyal to my passion, even when it meant taking risks, starting over, or going against the grain. I learned that your calling will find you — even if you take a few scenic routes to get there.

What I want people to know about me and my brand is this: I’m here for the long game. I’m here to build, to unite, and to keep creating. Whether through a set, a record, or a community event, my purpose is to move people — not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. Selva Beats isn’t just a brand — it’s a movement. And I’m proud to say I built it from the classroom to the real world, all by following my truth.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I had anyone visiting Miami, I would take them day by day through different areas of Miami.

Here is a itinerary I like to share:

Sunday: Brunch at Bondi Sushi Miami Beach before or after the beach for Sunday Funday

Monday: I would recommend them to go visit Downtown, Brickell, Bayside area to then end their day at Coyo Taco to see Oscar G and the Made in Miami crew, and also the Tipsy Flamingo which is showcasing live local artists in Downtown for later hours.

Tuesday: Get your synthesizers going – Every Tuesday Gramps in Wynwood hosts a Live Synth Battle that you don’t want to miss, then if you want to dance and party for the rest of the night you have Blackbird Ordinary with a we’ll known Ladies night as well

Wednesday: South Miami – Go and eat at The Grape Ape – then follow into Bougainvillea’s Old Florida Tavern for a ladies night like no other surrounded by Miami’s locals

Thursday: Thursdays are our Fridays, for some reason everyone likes to be out and about on a Thursday and one special venue I like to pop into is Mode Downtown for Something Chill which happens throughout the month there.

Friday and Saturday : Glow in Dark Pickleball and Roller Skating at Wynwood Marketplace after a day of sightseeing and wanting to finish the week off with a fun family activity

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Without a doubt, my shoutout goes to my dad, Tony Hernandez. He’s the reason music lives so deeply in me. Growing up, music was always playing in our home — from Latin classics to old-school records — and he was the one who first introduced me to the soul and power behind every beat. He never questioned my passion, even when I was just 11 years old and obsessed with DJing. Instead, he fueled it.

He taught me how to feel music, not just hear it. How to respect the roots, honor the culture, and always play from the heart. He supported me through every transition — from open format to house, from bedroom setups to full-blown events. And he’s still the one hyping me up before gigs and reminding me why I started.

What I do today — whether it’s producing, DJing, or building community through Selva Beats — it’s all a reflection of the musical foundation he helped lay for me. So this shoutout, with all my heart, goes to my dad. Thank you for passing down the rhythm, the love, and the belief.

Website: https://www.cristihernzmusic.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cristihernzmia/?igsh=ODVsem50Ynk3am1l&utm_source=qr#

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristina-hernandez-454300b2

Twitter: https://x.com/Cristihernzofc

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/cristihernz

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564375854984

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@cristihernzmusic

Other: www.selvabeatsmia.com

Personal Business Card: (All Links)

https://popl.co/card/edlQflNV/1/s

Image Credits
Images taken by : TutiVision (Selva Beats MIA photographer)