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John "Ben Dragon" Puangio
John "Ben Dragon" Puangio
01:02

John "Ben Dragon" Puangio

North Hollywood, CA USA

"The more you do what you love and it’s authentic to you, the more people will notice. Doors will open and the path will just keep unfolding before you."

Career Roadmap

John "Ben Dragon"'s work combines: Music, Technology, and Being Creative

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Day In The Life

DJ & Music Producer

I'm a producer, DJ, and movement artist burning melodies into time and space.

02:14

Day In The Life Of A DJ & Music Producer

My Day to Day

When not working my day job as a software programmer, I'm focused on creating quality music, content, and how to get it out to the world.

Skills & Education

Advice for getting started

Always remember to make music for the love of it and let it come from your soul. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something and always put your mission in life first.

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

  • Bachelor's Degree

    Electrical and Electronics Engineering

    University of California-Irvine

Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Music Directors & Composers:

High School

Bachelor's Degree: Marketing/Marketing Management, General

Bachelor's Degree: Graphic Communications, General

Learn more about different paths to this career

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life took a while to figure out

  • 1.

    He was born in Chicago, IL—says the first music he remembers listening to is house music, a genre of electronic dance music created by club DJs and music producers in Chicago.

  • 2.

    His parents immigrated from very poor provinces in the Philippines and put a lot of pressure on him to become either a doctor, lawyer, or engineer.

  • 3.

    Attended the University of California, Irvine (UCI), where he received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, but felt his skills would never be good enough to translate into a career.

  • 4.

    After graduation, he committed himself to becoming self-sufficient so that he could pursue his love of music without his parents doubting him.

  • 5.

    His electrical engineering degree landed him a job as a software programmer, which enabled him to become financially independent and move out of his parents’ house.

  • 6.

    Through a connection from UCI, his music career started to take off as he got more opportunities to produce commercial music for artists in Los Angeles.

  • 7.

    In 2015, he decided to found his own label, “Fire To My Ears,” which enabled him to release and promote his own music on his terms.

  • 8.

    He debuted his trademark tech-house style at the famous house club, FOCUS, and has since gone on to play the Amsterdam Dance Street Festival, KAABOO Festival, and shows all over the world.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from Myself:

    Music is an unbelievably challenging, cut-throat industry and you need a thick skin and an unwavering belief in yourself.

  • How I responded:

    Always remember to make music for the love of it and let it come from your soul. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something and always put your mission in life first.

Experiences and challenges that shaped me

Click to expand

  • My day job allowed me the financial stability and flexibility to invest in my music and once I was financially independent, nobody could tell me what to do with my life except for myself.

  • My father immigrated from a very poor province in the Philippines and lived a very driven life. My parents were very strict when I was growing up and they had particular ideas about what I should be doing. My interests kind of disappointed them.

  • I majored in electrical engineering in college which was one of the hardest majors at UCI. I definitely struggled and barely graduated. I had a lot of support from smart friends and classmates that helped me through.