At Dartmouth — where Greek life and student-run events dominate the campus social scene — one name has risen to prominence behind the DJ booth. Known for her ability to read a crowd and deliver high-energy sets, DJ TFam has built a reputation as a female DJ.
For DJ TFam, whose real name is Tori Famularo ’26, music has always been more than just background noise — it’s been part of her life’s rhythm. Growing up on Long Island with a father who relived his “glory days” by listening to electronic dance music, Famularo was steeped in EDM beats from an early age. It was natural, then, to transition from music lover to one of the most well-known DJs on campus.
“I’ve done music stuff my whole life,” Famularo said. “I’ve always been musically inclined, and I’ve always loved EDM. So when I kept seeing people start DJing all over my reels, I thought, ‘Why not me?’”
In the summer after freshman year, finding herself with extra free time while working as a teacher’s aide for neurodivergent children, Famularo decided to take her interest in EDM a step further by exploring DJing. What started as hours of practice alone in her room quickly grew into something more serious.
But turning bedroom practice into public performance was no easy feat — especially as a woman. According to Famularo, her first “gigs” were informal, performing at pre-games in her room in Mid Massachusetts Hall. From there, breaking into the official DJ scene proved challenging.
“A lot of times, when you’re a woman and you don’t have much credibility yet, people don’t take you seriously,” Famularo explained.
The skepticism she faced pushed Famularo to network harder, eventually landing a spot in Booth, Dartmouth’s loosely unionized DJ collective. Famularo’s first big gig at a fraternity party, a set at Chi Gamma Epsilon fraternity, finally opened doors for her.
“I got four more gigs just from that one night,” Famularo recalls. “It was my big break.”
Famularo’s style has evolved along the way, shaped not only by her rising technical skills but also by her ability to read a crowd. As DJ TFam’s presence grew on campus, so too did Famularo’s understanding of what makes a party truly unforgettable.
“On a college campus, it’s more about song selection than anything else,” Famularo explained. “You play one wrong song, and people start to leave. You have to keep the energy up, keep people dancing — especially the women. They’re the ones who set the vibe.”
Her favorite venue to play? Panarchy. She said she enjoys being able to perform for a new crowd and explore different genres of music in the venue’s grungy basement and rave-like energy.
“I love playing at Panarchy,” Famularo said. “It’s like a New York City club vibe — and I get to play whatever I want. That’s where I can really be creative.”
Unlike more structured events, Famularo said Panarchy gives her the artistic freedom to play her favorite genres, from techno to U.K. garage. In contrast, playing in more traditional environments like fraternities often requires a balance of mainstream house music and popular remixes.
Famularo’s instinct for keeping the dance floor full, combined with her passion and presence behind the board, has led DJ TFam toward her success on campus. And while she balances DJing with her studies in cognitive science and classics — plus a long list of other commitments — music remains a top priority.
Despite her success, being a female DJ at Dartmouth hasn’t always been easy. As the only woman in Booth, Famularo said she initially struggled to gain credibility.
“People assumed I wasn’t as good or tried to ‘help’ by touching my equipment mid-set,” she said. “I had to literally slap hands away.”
Determined to change the gender imbalance, Famularo said she mentored another female student last term in hopes of bringing more women into the DJ scene. Unfortunately, her mentee didn’t stick with it, citing feelings of self-doubt — something DJ TFam understands all too well.
“It took time for me to prove myself,” she said. “But now, I feel like I’ve earned my place.”
This spring, she’ll be taking her talents abroad as she studies in Greece on the Classics foreign study program. Though uncertain, she hopes to land a few DJ gigs while traveling, further expanding her experience beyond Dartmouth’s social scene.
Despite her love for DJing — and hopes to continue beyond campus next term — Famularo said she doesn’t see it as a full-time career just yet. Nonetheless, if given the opportunity, she would take it.
“If it picks up as a side gig, I’d pursue it over a nine-to-five,” Famularo said. “I mean, anyone would.”
For now, Famularo has her sights set on a job in product management while continuing to DJ on the side. But if the right opportunity arises, who knows? DJ TFam might just trade the corporate world for a life behind the decks. One thing’s for certain — whether it’s a fraternity basement, a rave in Greece or a rooftop party in New York City, DJ TFam is ready to bring the music wherever she goes.
