Meet Our Team of DJs and other service providers Serving Albany and Upstate NY

“We are not a team because we work together. We are a team because we RESPECT, TRUST, and CARE for each other.”

  • “Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.”

    Hello! Thanks for stopping by! My name is Caroline and I am the proud owner of Upbeat Occasions that was established in 2016.

    I have been a deejay and emcee for over 10 years. I have deejayed hundreds of weddings and other events. My passion is to deejay weddings and love to meet newly engaged couples and hear their love stories.

    I also dive deeper with the couples I work with when it comes to selecting music for their wedding. I LOVE music and will listen to everything from the Grateful Dead, to DMB, to Biggie, to Mary J, to EDM. I enjoy learning new artists, songs etc… so please share.

    For the past 19 years I have also been a Special Education Teacher in the North Colonie School District. I am able to balance both careers because of the passion I have for working with people/families/students.

    On a personal note, I fell in love with my husband Brian during the pandemic who just happened to be in the wedding industry as well and we had a rocking wedding at Revolution Hall in December of ‘22.

  • https://soundcloud.com/upbeatoccasions

  • “You want it, you got it” you come first”

    Mo has been an entertainer for about 10 years, originally playing at parties and then eventually moving into weddings and clubs. He is currently doing a variety of events, from Sweet 16’s to weddings to bars/clubs to backyard graduation events. He frequently volunteers his time and skills to benefits (most prominently Nick’s Fight to Be Healed). His favorite era of music to play is all Late 80s/90s/ Early 2000s, primarily 90s hip hop and dance pop being my favorite.

    By day he is a therapist, currently within a private practice specializing in LGBTQ and Transgender adults,  but Mo has worked with children in the past as well. He currently has two Masters degrees (one in Forensic Mental Health and the other in Counseling and Community Psychology). Along with deejaying, he is a fitness coach (Crossfit, Olympic Weightlifting, and Strongman) where he has used his deejaying experience to fuse both together and has released his own types of workout mixes for anyone to listen to. Mo uses music and DJing to create a vibe and atmosphere to bring people together for a common goal. His thought process is “How can I make your event go from great to amazing?” at all times. 

    “DJ Caroline says….Mo has been a great friend and mentor for many years. We had worked for the same company many years prior but unfortunately didn’t work much together. Mo reached out to me when I started Upbeat Occasions and said he would love to be part of the crew. Mo has incredible knowledge when it comes to technology and troubleshooting. Mo and I also have very similar tastes when it comes to music and we share unique songs on a daily basis. Mo has deejayed many weddings, corporate, and sporting events. I had the honor to DJ his wedding during the pandemic and now him and his wife have two beautiful girls.

  • https://hearthis.at/djmohaskins/

  • “Life is meant to be full of fun not pain, turn towards the good feelings.”

    Chris is an experienced DJ for 25 years. He started DJ'ing Military Base Clubs while in the US Navy back in the 90s in Norfolk-Virginia Beach, VA. He started working professionally as a Wedding and Special Events DJ in 1995. He has worked venues big and small from backyard parties to some of the most elegant and extravagant venues in America! Chris knows a wide range of music from many genres and generations. From Swing to Hip-Hop or 1940s to the 21st century, he has it all and he knows it all. Chris is also a great MC with the smooth silky voice of a radio jock.

    Chris is also an officiant who has been ordained since 2011. He enjoys getting to know couples on a more personal level. He is able to incorporate all ceremonies, such as religious, non- denominational, interfaith, spiritual, or commitment.

    “DJ Caroline says….Chris and I worked for the same deejay company years ago but never actually got to work together as we were never scheduled on the same events. Fast forward to this year. Chris developed a passion for Real Estate about 8 years ago and is the Director of Agent Development at Coldwell Banker Prime Properties, Timberland, and Choice. I have always loved Chris’ personality and drive and thought he would be a great fit for my parents, who were looking for a home. Chris successfully helped them purchase a home and my parents couldn’t be happier! Chris and I chatted one day about business and how he still loves to deejay. The rest is history and I am happy to have Chris join the “Upbeat Team."

  • https://on.soundcloud.com/0kuE9fR88SUIt5iZrp

  • Originally from South Africa with a whole lot of grit. Sheridan has a unique ability to draw people in and make you feel comfortable in any awkward or uncomfortable situation. She has partnered with her wife in their Photography business since 2022 and has recently wanted to be in a different sector of a wedding. Officiant. Whilst shooting 90% weddings with her wife, she wants too help you create your perfect story and tell it to your families and friends. Her outgoing go get em personality has proven to be very effective in every kind of challenge that may surface.Her outlook on life “ you never know until you ask, so just go ahead and ask”.

    Caroline says…”I met Sheridan through her wife, Kristen, who is a talented local photographer. From the start, Sheridan’s warm accent, outgoing personality, and quick sense of humor made her so easy to connect with. She’s the kind of person who instantly lights up a room and keeps everyone laughing, and I know she’ll be a wonderful addition to the Upbeat family as a wedding officiant”.

  • “Be stronger than your excuses!”

    Musician, producer, and DJ, Becca has been in the music industry for 10 years. What started as a hobby, turned into a lifestyle. With an Associate’s Degree in Music Business, Becca started mixing and creating music for haunted houses. While performing as a drummer in local band, she became intrigued by the power of influencing moods with music. In 2019, with a little practice and her music theory background, she started DJing weddings, graduation parties, birthday parties and mitzvahs. When she is not performing at an event, Becca spends her time as an Office Manager in Healthcare, exploring the world, and enjoying new music in the local music scenes. For her, DJing is all about breaking the resistance barrier of the dance floor and making sure everyone is having a great time. Her favorite areas of music to play include Hip Hop, 90s, Rock N’ Roll, and EDM.

    Caroline says….” I met Becca as she assisted with a photo-booth for a wedding in February of 2022. I remember her coming up to me and saying, “ I have the same controller as you!’ I saw it in her eyes that she was eager to jump in and do a set. I found out that she has been deejaying other events and reached out to see if she would assist in some upcoming events and weddings. Becca knows the ins and outs of the deejay equipment and has been a great asset to the Upbeat team in a short time. I am excited to have her continue to rock events for us!

  • Jeanine Ouderkirk is a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist hailing from Saratoga Springs, NY. She discovered her penchant for improvisation while studying with the master, Bobby McFerrin starting in 2012 as part of his Circlesinging immersive experience. Majoring in Bass Clarinet and performing on Baritone Saxophone while at The Crane School of Music, Ouderkirk occupied a unique harmonic seat in her ensembles. This led to her deep knowing of what she would want to hear in her bands as she pioneered her vocal jazz career. Ouderkirk has been a featured singer with the Schenectady-Saratoga Symphony Orchestra, Ensemble Congeros, The Hot Club of Saratoga, Golfstrom, and many jazz artists far and wide. For the love of music! Now celebrating fifteen years of performing as a jazz singer in the Capital Region, Jeanine will be releasing her first full-length album in April 2025. The singer stays busy as a PK-8th grade music teacher in her 11th year of teaching at the beautiful Saint Gregory's School in Loudonville, NY. Stay tuned for live local performances and recordings soon! Visit www.jeaninemariemusic.com for more information. 

    We are excited to introduce the newest addition to our team, Jeanine who joins Upbeat Occasions with a strong background in music. Dj Caroline says, “ Jeanine and I met at St. Gregory’s school about 5 years ago. I loved her passion for music and her singing voice is just incredible. We bumped into each other recently and decided to meet up for tea to talk about how she would be a great additional to the company and add an additional option to weddings and events.” Jeannine brings a wealth of expertise and enthusiasm to our company. We’re thrilled to have Jeanine on board and add a “Live” component option to all weddings and events.

A wedding reception with a bride in a white lace wedding dress dancing and smiling, a man in a white dress shirt being serenaded by a singer, and other guests in the background enjoying the celebration in a decorated banquet hall.
Outdoor wedding ceremony under a decorated arch with pink and white fabric and flowers, officiant, bride, groom, bridesmaid, and groomsman, with guests seated nearby.
A man wearing headphones and a black shirt working on a laptop in a workspace with equipment and shelves in the background.
Female DJ with headphones operating DJ equipment at an event, with person holding a floral folder in the background.
A man smiling and pointing at the camera indoors, with a bright and cheerful expression.
Close-up portrait of a smiling Black man with a bald head, wearing a dark suit and a checkered shirt, against a dark background.
DJ standing behind a music console with a laptop, wearing headphones and a face mask, in a decorated venue with a large illuminated sign that says 'LOVE' in the background.
A man dressed in a black gown and colorful stole standing under a pink and white draped archway with a tree in the background, holding a piece of paper or card during an outdoor ceremony.
A DJ is playing music at a party, with a crowd dancing in the background. The DJ's equipment includes a laptop and a mixer, illuminated by colorful lights.
Group of smiling women at a celebration in a wooden venue, one woman in the foreground wearing glasses, others in white dresses, some women wearing flower crowns, in a cozy indoor setting with tables and decorations.
Two women smiling outdoors during the daytime. The woman on the left is wearing glasses, a black shirt, and a patterned scarf with earthy tones. The woman on the right has blonde hair tied in a bun, is wearing sunglasses, and a black shirt. There are
A woman DJ wearing glasses and headphones smiling behind a DJ booth at an event, with bright lights shining behind her and an 'UPBEAT OCCASIONS' sign on the booth.
Three women taking a selfie in a rustic wooden setting, with log walls and a letter 'Z' in the background. They are smiling and appear to be enjoying the moment.
Two smiling women taking a selfie in a decorated event space with purple lighting, a DJ booth with purple lights, and a speaker on a stand in the background.
A person in business casual attire smiling, wearing glasses, black shirt, gray pants, holding a jacket over shoulder, standing against a plain white background.
Three people smiling in a studio with a plain white background. One woman seated on a white stool in the center, two standing behind her with hands on her shoulders.
Smiling man with a beard wearing a black floral shirt, ripped jeans, and red sneakers standing against a white background.