We checked in with Junaid Ali (BBA ’15) just in time for Thursday’s virtual concert. Junaid is the DJ headliner alongside Scott Helman, Tim Hicks, Sarah and Gianni from Walk off the Earth and Josh Ramsay from Marianas Trench.

Junaid lives two lives – analysing financial statements as a CPA by day and, at night, playing for 20,000 people as the official DJ for the Toronto Argonauts at BMO field. “Ever since I was a child, music and numbers have been my two favourite things,” Ali says.

This past September, Ali toured Ontario colleges and universities. In between touring, he wrote his CPA exams and earned his accounting designation. Balancing his two favourite things keeps him thriving.

Restrictions on gatherings due to COVID-19 has put a pause on Ali’s residency at BMO Field. We asked how he doing and how he is keeping busy.

“I am reading a lot of books, and just taking a step back from the hustle. I am slowing things down and taking it day by day, trying to enjoy life as it slowly comes back in a whole new way” he shared.

Ali encourages alumni to reach out, check in and connect with other alumni during this time. “One thing I learned from Laurier is community,” he says. “Laurier is our roots and built who we were… going back to your roots is key.”

We couldn’t agree more.

Ali is humbled to be a DJ on the virtual main showcase. Having an entrepreneurial spirit himself, he is impressed with the process of how the virtual concert has taken shape.

“This is true innovation and I can respect any company, any organization being on the forefront of innovation as a part of their mandate. Being a part of that is really exciting” Ali says.

We caught up with Junaid over video, following his virtual sound check giving us a sneak peek of his set for the virtual concert. He will be performing in front of a beautiful, bright mural guaranteed to catch your eye.

“I enjoy putting on a good show and mixing music well” he says. Check Junaid out Thursday, May 14 at 8 p.m. on Facebook Live.