John Summit, the internationally recognized electronic dance music (EDM) artist and headliner at this year’s Lollapalooza festival in Chicago, traces his musical roots back to Naperville, Illinois, where his early passion for music was nurtured by his family.

Summit, born John Schuster, is known for his dynamic house and techno tracks and has amassed millions of monthly listeners on Spotify. At 31, he has performed at top-tier music festivals including Coachella and Tomorrowland, while also founding his own record label, Experts Only.

Growing up in a musically inclined household, Summit’s mother, Tamara Schuster, a longtime Naperville resident and real estate agent, recalls the ambient soundtracks of classic rock that filled their home and his father’s acoustic guitar playing. Although Tamara did not press her children to take up piano—herself having been encouraged to practice from a young age—both Summit and his sister naturally gravitated toward the instrument. Summit’s interest in music deepened during his childhood, notably singing in his church choir and later exploring creative outlets through video production during middle and high school.

While attending Neuqua Valley High School, Summit honed his skills in film and video, earning awards for his short films at regional festivals. Despite his creative talents, his mother encouraged him to pursue a practical academic path alongside his artistic interests, leading Summit to major in accounting at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Following graduation, Summit worked as a certified public accountant at Ernst & Young, yet remained committed to his music. During college, he adopted the stage name “Summit,” inspired by his passion for skiing, and began DJing professionally. His mother notes that his dual lives—balancing corporate work by day and performing at underground clubs by night—revealed his deep dedication to music.

In 2019, Summit made the decision to leave his accounting career behind and focus exclusively on his music, a move his mother found challenging but ultimately supported. The COVID-19 pandemic, which shuttered live music venues in 2020, paradoxically became a productive period for Summit. Returning to his childhood home, he spent long hours producing and promoting his work online, connecting with fans through streaming and tutorials.

Summit’s breakthrough came with the 2020 release of “Deep End” through Defected Records, a prominent UK label. The track quickly gained traction, setting records on the electronic music platform Beatport and elevating Summit’s profile in the global EDM community.

Tamara Schuster has witnessed the evolution of her son’s career with pride as well as some challenges associated with his rising fame. While she embraces the outpouring of fan appreciation and the personal connections forged through his music, she acknowledges the complexities fame brings to their relationship and everyday life.

Despite his international success, Summit remains connected to his roots. His mother recalls a recent Mother’s Day when he surprised her by coming home and baking cookies for the first time, a reminder that beyond the spotlight, he is still the same young man whose childhood love of music was fostered in their Naperville home.