When the world expected her to settle down, she hit play instead. At 42, Ellie—now known behind the decks as DJ Vibrant Ellz—decided to reinvent her life, guided not by society’s expectations, but by baselines, beats, and an untamed love for music.
“I’ve always loved music,” she tells me with a spark in her voice. “I’ve been a big raver. Always loved dancing, always loved going out.” But the idea of DJing wasn’t entirely new—it had been planted long ago, back when she was 18 and dancing to R&B and hip hop in clubs, frustrated by DJs who, in her words, “just didn’t read the room.”
That frustration became a seed—one that waited two decades to bloom.
Starting anything new can be daunting, but doing it at 42? That takes guts. “It was overwhelming,” Ellie admits. “When you’ve been in a career for so long, it becomes part of your identity. Shifting into something new feels like diving into the unknown.” For Ellie, that shift came after a long career in social work. The jump into music wasn’t smooth, nor immediate.
“I started learning in January 2024. But for months, I wasn’t consistent. I’d start, stop, question everything,” she says. “It was the technical stuff—beat matching, learning the gear—that got in my head.”
Then came a life-altering moment: her first gig offer. A promoter named Daniel invited her to play at Full House, and despite her nerves (“like a rabbit in the headlights”), she couldn’t say no. “I had six weeks to prepare. I just went for it.” That first set in October 2024 marked a turning point. Since then, Ellie has been building momentum, fuelled by belief and the power of community.
And yes—society does love to remind women of their “expiration date.” But Ellie doesn’t play by those rules. “I don’t carry the mindset that you’re too old to do anything,” she says plainly. “I’m surrounded by incredible people of all ages and backgrounds. That diversity shapes me. It shows me that anything is possible.”
When I ask her what she’d say to her 20-year-old self, she laughs, then softens. “Do it. People will think what they think regardless, so just do what makes you happy.”
Being a woman in the DJ scene has come with its own hurdles—especially in a male-dominated space. “I get frustrated seeing lineups filled with just men,” she says. “As a promoter myself, I think diversity should reflect the community we live in.”
Her background in social work unexpectedly gave her a head start. “DJing isn’t just technical skills or a good playlist,” she explains. “It’s communication, networking, confidence. My job gave me those skills, and now I use them to connect with other DJs and communities.”
Despite the late start, Ellie doesn’t feel judged—quite the opposite. “I’m inspired by people who start new things at any age. I’m not the first 43-year-old to learn to DJ, and I won’t be the last.”
One of her proudest moments? Opening for Tiffany Calver at a Let’s Build Fam event. “People came up to me after and told me they loved my set. That meant everything.”
Now, Ellie’s taking it further.
This September, she’s beginning a Master’s degree in Music Business—a bold step toward turning her passion into a sustainable career. “I knew I wanted to stay in the creative industry, but I wasn’t sure how. Then I found this course and it just clicked.”
In an age obsessed with speed, Ellie moves at her own rhythm. “It’s important not to rush. Everyone’s journey moves at a different pace. Mine is slow, intentional, and deeply mine.”
When I ask her if she’s ever been poisoned by comparison, she surprises me. “No. Maybe in my 30s, I did feel the pressure—to be married, own a house, all that. But at 40, I let that go. Now I do what feels right for me.”
DJ Vibrant Ells isn’t just spinning tracks—she’s spinning a new narrative. One where age is irrelevant, passion is power, and reinvention is not only possible—it’s powerful
Catch the full interview now on YouTube:
Listen to Vibrant Ells’ latest mix on
And if you’re near Nottingham on May 24th, don’t miss Selectors of House—a celebration of beats, bravery, and becoming.
Divergent Beats 
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