A year can change a lot.
Last September, Danny Ryan stepped behind the DJ booth at Skating Edge Ice Arena for his first Ice Jam appearance.
Twelve months later, there’s a lot to catch up on.
Danny has performed original music at the Grammy Museum, returned to Grammy Camp, released a debut single that has surpassed 100,000 streams on Spotify, continued developing his skills through professional training and mentorship, and evolved from DJ K1 into K-Won, an artist identity that reflects where his music is headed next.
And through all of it, he has continued coming back to Skating Edge.
Almost exactly one year after that first performance, DJ K-Won returns to Ice Jam on Saturday, September 19, for a special night celebrating a year of music, growth and community.
From DJ K1 to K-Won
When Danny first began performing at Ice Jam, Skating Edge guests knew him as DJ K1.
As his focus expanded beyond DJing into producing and releasing original music, he wanted an artist name that could grow with him.
“K-Won is a play on words with K1, which I was using primarily to DJ,” Danny explains. “Since I am now releasing music, I wanted to have a producer name that encompassed both.”
The name also has a personal connection. K-Won is an homage to Danny’s Korean heritage.
The new identity arrives at an exciting point in his development as both a DJ and producer. Danny has continued his professional DJ and production education through Point Blank while also receiving mentorship through his GRAMMY experiences.
His assessment of how far he has come is characteristically humble.
“My production and DJing skills have improved a lot,” he says. “I’m still learning!”
A Breakout Year for DJ K-Won
Of everything that has happened since his first Ice Jam appearance, one accomplishment stands above the rest for Danny.
He was selected as the first DJ/producer to perform as part of a student showcase at the Grammy Museum during Grammy Week.
The showcase brought together a small group of Southern California high school musicians to perform their original work at the Clive Davis Theater. Danny performed two of his own songs, “Glitch” and “Hundred Grand.”
“I am most proud of being selected as the first ever DJ/producer to perform at the Grammy Museum for the student showcase,” Danny says.
It was a major milestone, but his original music has also begun reaching an audience well beyond the stage.
Danny released his first single, “Glitch,” which has now surpassed 100,000 streams on Spotify.
For an artist who was just beginning to build live performance experience a year ago, it has been quite a year.
And he isn’t slowing down.
Learning, Creating and Returning to Grammy Camp
Danny also returned to Grammy Camp, an experience he describes as unforgettable.
The program has given him opportunities to learn more about the music industry while developing technical skills such as mixing and mastering. He has also had opportunities to meet and work with established music professionals, including Grammy Award-winning songwriter and producer Poo Bear.
During his most recent Grammy Camp experience, Danny created two additional original songs that he hopes to release.
Every new experience adds another layer to his development, whether he’s working in a studio, learning from a mentor or performing for a live audience.
That has included some unexpected opportunities, too.
Danny recently performed a back-to-back DJ set during a 45-minute “rave ride” at ICONIX in Long Beach alongside the running trainer who helped prepare him for the LA Marathon and helped spark his interest in DJing.
For Danny, all of these experiences come back to the same thing: learning the craft. It’s also the advice he would give another young person with a big dream.
“Start with learning your craft. Whatever that is. Always be eager to learn,” he says. “And manifest your dreams. Chase it! Don’t ever stop chasing that dream.”
Using Music to Give Back
As K-Won grows as an artist, Danny continues to make room for something that was central to his story when we first introduced him to the Skating Edge community: using music to help others.
Through The Free DJ Project, Danny has volunteered his talents for organizations and events where music can help bring people together.
Over the past year, that has included DJing for Luna Peak, an organization supporting people impacted by cancer, as well as a fundraiser for San Pedro animal rescue organization Pedro Pet Pals.
It’s another part of Danny’s journey that hasn’t changed as the stages, audiences and opportunities have grown. For him, music isn’t only about developing a career. It can also be a way to create joy and community for someone else.
Skating Edge and a Community That Opened the Door
For all the milestones of the past year, Saturday nights at Skating Edge still matter to Danny.
Ask him what he enjoys most about performing at Ice Jam and his answer is simple.
“The community. Everyone is so nice and welcoming!”
Skating Edge was one of the places that gave Danny an opportunity to gain experience performing for a live audience, and he hasn’t forgotten it.
“It means a lot that Skating Edge opened the door for me to start DJing and has welcomed me into their community,” he says. “It makes me feel very supported.”
There’s another reason the rink feels like home. Danny loves ice skating and hockey himself.
On K-Won nights, you’ll sometimes see him leave the DJ booth and step onto the ice during his final song to say hello and thank the people who came out.
Over the past year, that relationship has grown beyond his monthly DJ sets.
Skating Edge also opened its doors to Danny for a video shoot, with Skating Edge skaters joining him to help create content. It gave him another opportunity to use the rink as a creative space while bringing together two communities that have become part of his journey: music and skating.
“Skating Edge has been a huge part of my journey,” Danny says. “The ability to create sets and DJ for you guys every month gives me experience and something to look forward to.”
From performing behind the booth to creating content on the ice, Skating Edge has become a place where Danny can continue experimenting, learning and growing as an artist.
For the Skating Edge team, watching that growth unfold has been pretty special, too.
What’s Next for K-Won?
If the past year is any indication, there may be plenty more to write about the next time we catch up with Danny.
For now, his focus is on continuing to create and release original music.
And there’s one big goal on his list: Perform at a music festival.
It’s an ambitious next step, but Danny’s approach remains the same: keep learning, keep creating and keep chasing the dream.
One Year Later, Back at Ice Jam
Before looking too far ahead, there’s an anniversary to celebrate.
Almost exactly one year after his first Ice Jam appearance, K-Won returns to Skating Edge on Saturday, September 19 for a special anniversary Ice Jam.
K-Won: One Year Later celebrates a year of music, growth and community and gives the Skating Edge community a chance to celebrate everything Danny has accomplished while welcoming him back behind the booth.
A year ago, Danny was a young local DJ building experience and bringing a new sound to Saturday nights at Skating Edge.
Today, K-Won is a DJ, producer and recording artist with a Grammy Museum performance and more than 100,000 streams of his debut single behind him.
And on September 19, he’ll be right back where this chapter began, bringing the music to Ice Jam.
A year can change a lot.
And we can’t wait to see what the next one brings.
Celebrate K-Won: One Year Later at Ice Jam on Saturday, September 19 at Skating Edge Ice Arena.
