Meet The Team!
Don't Flunk Me Records consists of four teams.
Business, PR, Marketing, and Production make up the inner-workings of the label and assure things run smoothly.
Jake Stillman
Jake had the idea to start DFMR after he noticed a trend. Many of the independent artists he worked with had the talent and passion to release good music, but were failing to find an audience. Thinking a different approach may be needed, he got his master’s degree in music business and audio engineering training, and thought up the idea of a student-run record label.
Now two and a half years into running the label, Jake’s music industry class and DFMR have had a positive influence on the local music scene by teaching students the ins and outs of the music industry, including how to market and protect their work in order to reach a wider audience. Students in his class have gone on to find work in
the music industry,
successfully start their
own bands, and market
their songs more
effectively.
Ben J Carver (TA)
Benny is a music producer, multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter, and local performer. He got his start in music at the age of 8, and has been persistent in music since. Benny found inspiration from his dad being a classically trained musician, and frequently performs alongside his sister. Benny’s goal is to open his own music studio, and to put his passion for music to use, with a heavy emphasis on collaboration with others! Fun Fact: Benny currently works as an AV Technician.
Flunky "the" Ghost
For centuries, the ghost of students' past has haunted the current roster of DFMR students. Flunky, we call him, is a lover of music above all else. Due to his lack of a corporeal form however, he has never been a part of a band himself. So he remedies this problem by lending a helping disembodied voice to the students, so that no one shares the same fate as him.
Business and A&R
Team
"The Suits"
Hugo Contreras
Hugo is a Producer, DJ, and Solo Vocalist, with years of digital production, midi keyboard, and DJ experience. He got his start in music in 8th grade, when the school got new apple computers, which came with garage band. Since then, he has been on a self-taught journey, honing his digital production skills. In 2025, he reached a self-taught plateau, and decided it was time to take things to the next level. Starting fall 2025, Hugo signed up for music classes at the SRJC, pursuing an AA in Commercial Music. Now as an A&R Specialist with Don’t Flunk Me Records, Hugo maintains connections with artists, venues, publications, and past and present DFMR bands.
Dallis Craft
After managing to avoid the business part of her long music career, Dallis is solidifying her knowledge of the industry to build on her past successes. "DFM Records is a great way to take charge of your music: publishing, laws, agreements and reporting agencies, production and releasing your songs, marketing and building a brand. This is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to make it in this business!"
Team
Marketing
"The Mind Readers"
Hello Im Jacob I took this class to obtain my commercial music degree. This class has taught me a lot about the fundamentals of how to build healthy habits in the business world as a producer / musician.
Jacob Steinberg
Hi I'm Ben I took this class as a part of my commercial music degree and certificate. I have learned a lot about what to look out for as an artist and basic marketing strategies and techniques that I will capitalize on for my own music.
Ben Kirk
Ben Berto is music curious, dream driven, learning the music business, grateful for the opportunities given. Stay tuned.
Ben Berto
Team
Production
"The Powerhouse"
Remy Desjarlais
Remy is a musician and composer working on his commercial music degree. After gaining interest in music after picking up the French horn in 6th grade, Remy has been actively playing in a variety of ensembles and bands across the bay area. With his time away from playing during covid-19, Remy used his time to study music theory and composition and music production to fill that hole left by the lack of an ensemble to play in. Now, given the opportunity, he's decided to use the SRJC's resources to learn more about the intricacies of msuic.
Domino Mastrolia
Domino is a local musician preforming most consistently in his band Lean-To. He started playing music at a young age primarily focusing on guitar. Later on he released his first solo project at the age of 17. After releasing that project and being unhappy with the mixes he decided to take music production classes at the SRJC where he stumbled into the DFM Record label.
Alex Cognata
Alex started his music life figuring out pop song melodies on the family piano. He played trumpet in the school band. He also took piano lessons with his professor at the SRJC. He began taking guitar lessons at age 15. In high school he was in a band with a prodigy pianist composer and they made a record that summer. Alex took the Midi Music and Recording Classes at the JC and began recording his original songs. He is now in SRJC Music Industry and Recording program with the goal of recording an original record.