If there’s something that people agree on no matter where they’re from or what language they speak, it’s good music. Right now, John Summit is one of those artists bringing people together on dance floors across the globe.
This talented DJ creates beats and rhythms that energize people and inspire them, rightfully earning him the title “the hottest name in dance music.” So, who is John Summit, exactly? Is he a rising talent, or does his fame come with years of experience?
In this article, you’ll learn more about John Summit’s age, how he rose to fame, and why his music is stirring the world nowadays. Keep reading!
John Summit: Personal Profile
John Summit became known worldwide shortly after the release of his hit single “Deep End (Sidepiece Remix)” in 2020. To many, he’s that famous guy who makes fantastic music and unforgettable tracks. Yet, who he truly is might be a story that not everyone knows.
Before diving into more details about John Summit, take a look at some key highlights of his personal profile:
- Full Name: John Walter Schuster
- Stage Name: John Summit
- Date of Birth: July 29, 1994
- Place of Birth: Naperville, Illinois
- School: Neuqua Valley High School
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Profession: Music producer, DJ, and remixerMusic
- Genre: House and techno
- Parents: Walter and Tamara Schuster
- Siblings: One sister (Brooke)
- Marital Status: Single
- Net Worth: $1 million
- Current Residence: Chicago, Illinois
John Summit: Age
John Summit was born on July 29, 1994. This means he celebrated his 30th birthday in 2024. That said, a photo he posted on Instagram back in 2021 confused hundreds of his fans. In the picture, he was celebrating his birthday with a banner behind him that read “Sweet sixteen.”
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Apparently, this was just playful humor that viewers caught on quickly. Despite it being a joke, John’s actual age is still quite young compared to what he accomplished. Within just 30 years of age, he managed to become one of the most influential names in modern dance music.
John Summit: Early Life and Education
John Summit, whose real name is John Walter Schuster, was born in Naperville, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. He grew up in a small household with his parents, Walter and Tamara Schuster, and his sister, Brooke.
With his father being a drummer, it’s easy to see where John might have picked up his love for rhythm and music. From a young age, around middle school, he started showing artistic talent. Therefore, his parents signed him up to take piano lessons.

John Summit’s childhood photos
Image source: Instagram
Primarily, John spent most of his early years in Naperville. He attended Neuqua Valley High School, where he tried to do filmmaking for a bit. However, shortly after graduating high school, he relocated to Champaign to pursue higher education.
Over there, John went to study accounting at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He got a Bachelor of Arts/Science degree in accounting and followed that with a master’s degree in the same field.
John Summit: Career Beginnings
John Summit’s career took off while he was still in college. Allegedly, he sharpened his talent by watching YouTube tutorials. During that time, he tried to balance his accounting studies with his love for music by DJing at parties and producing music tracks on the side.
After earning a college degree, John landed a job as a certified public accountant at Ernst & Young. Over time, John continued to DJ at venues like “Canopy Club” in Urbana and “The Red Lion” in Champaign.
By 2019, he had already started to gain attention in the underground house music scene, releasing songs on YouTube and SoundCloud. Therefore, he decided to quit his boring corporate gig and switched to producing music full-time.
Indeed, this was a bold move that later paid off in life, leading him to become one of the most recognized names in dance music now.
John Summit: Rise to Success
John began his professional career in 2018, upon releasing his debut track “Touch Me.” Although it didn’t get much attention, he didn’t let that stop him. He kept producing music and working on his talent, but it wasn’t until 2020 that John got his big break.
In that year, John released his famous track “Deep End.” The song went viral, topping dance charts and racking up millions of streams worldwide. That moment was the one that transformed him from an underground artist into a global dance music sensation.
More career success followed this with the release of other songs, including “Sun Came Up,” “Human,” and “La Danza.” From that point forward, John’s career skyrocketed. He became a regular name at major festivals like Tomorrowland and EDC. His music attracted massive crowds who couldn’t get enough of his energy.
John Summit: Musical Style
John Summit’s musical style is mostly house and techno, mixing energetic beats and catchy melodies that keep listeners hooked. Some tracks of his include elements of pop or disco music, but he usually stays closer to the high-energy vibes that define his music.
Overall, what makes John Summit special is his ability to blend different styles while keeping the focus on the beats. That’s why his performances at major festivals like Lollapalooza and Coachella are always spectacular.
John Summit: Record Label
In 2022, John Summit launched his own record label and events brand, Off the Grid. Not only did this brand allow him to release more of his music, but it also helped him support other rising artists in the house music field.
However, due to a legal dispute over the name, the label was rebranded to have the name “Experts Only” in 2023.
John Summit: Titles
Over the course of his career, John received many titles. Here are a few of them:

John Summit was named the hottest name in the dance music industry by Rolling Stone magazine
Image source: Google
- “The Hottest Name in Dance Music” by the Rolling Stone magazine
- Artist of the Year by EDMtrain
- Breakout Artist of the Year by Dancing Astronaut
- 1001Tracklists’ Producer of the Year (#4 in 2022 and #1 in 2024)
- Favorite Song of the Year by Barack Obama (about the track “Where You Are” with Hayla)
- Forbes 30 Under 30 – Music Category
- Most Supported DJ by 1001Tracklists
- DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs
Why “Summit”?
John Summit didn’t pick his name by chance–it has a meaning behind it. You see, he’s a big fan of skiing and the outdoors, and “summit” comes from his love for mountains and reaching the top. So, it’s a name that reflects his passion and high aspirations. The name also ties to his record label “Experts Only,” which is inspired by challenging ski slopes for advanced skiers.
Featured image source: Instagram