In a city overflowing with talent, DJ Teja Zelenovic has managed to carve out something entirely her own. Toronto-born with deep Serbian roots, Teja is one of those rare people who feels both instantly familiar and completely magnetic. She’s as comfortable spinning house tracks at a downtown club as she is commanding a packed dance floor at a destination wedding in Sicily.

“I never planned to be a Serbian DJ,” she tells me with an easy laugh. “I wanted to do house music, but one day someone asked if I’d try a Serbian event. I thought I’d hate it, and then I absolutely loved it.”

That one “yes” changed everything. What started as a side gig soon became a passport to stages and celebrations around the world. Today, Teja is one of Canada’s most sought-after international wedding DJs, known for her ability to bridge cultures, blend genres, and bring a sense of joy and familiarity to every set she plays.

Rooted in Rhythm and Culture

For many second-generation kids, reconnecting with their heritage can be complicated. For Teja, it happened naturally, through music.

“Growing up, I didn’t speak the language or really know much about the community,” she says. “Once I started DJing these events, I found myself surrounded by my culture again. It helped me rediscover a part of myself I didn’t even realize I was missing.”

Serbian weddings are famous for their intensity and spirit. They’re loud, loving, and unapologetically full of life. “There’s always something happening,” Teja explains. “The dancing never stops. There’s live percussion, family chants, and this shared energy that builds all night. Everyone’s connected through the music.”

She tells me about kupovina mlade, the “buying of the bride” tradition, where guests playfully negotiate for the bride’s hand before the ceremony. Then there’s the kolo, a fast, circular folk dance that unites generations on the floor. “You can’t fake understanding those moments,” she says. “You have to know the culture to get the timing right. That’s why it’s so important for couples to bring in someone who knows their music and traditions. It’s more than a playlist—it’s identity.”