Axel Hernandez
Music, Music Production
What made you choose Columbia?
Many factors came into play when choosing the right college, but from the beginning of High School, I knew Columbia was the right choice for me. Being a first-generation college student also played a factor in my overall college applications, there is nothing more that I want in the world than to make my family proud of my accomplishments and my passion for the pursuit of my career as a musician. Having been blessed with the opportunity to attend Columbia at no cost genuinely made this decision easier for me and for my family. Overall, Columbia College Chicago really spoke to me from the moment I stepped foot on campus grounds, I just felt this rush of inspiration being around many other fellow creatives and I really knew at that moment that Columbia College was the right fit for me.
What do you plan on studying during your time here?
During my time at Columbia College Chicago, I plan on receiving my Bachelor's Degree in Music with a declared minor in Music Production! I’m a self-taught singer/songwriter so I am really investing my time to focus on understanding the technicality of what it takes to properly compose a song and receiving professional voice lessons. Not only that, but I also been very much so fascinated with the theory behind written pieces and understanding why they work.
What are your career goals at this time?
My career goal has always been to become a full-time musician whether that means playing small gigs or large concerts my goal hasn't changed since I first dreamt it. My dream is to get signed into a Record label company and perform live music I love and create. I'd rather live my life knowing that I took a risk than taking none at all.
What do you most look forward to learning and creating in Chicago?
I'm very much so looking forward to learning about other people's stories and their why for choosing Columbia as their school. I genuinely enjoy listening to people talk about what they're passionate about and what really drives them to create. Having lived here in the city of Chicago all my life I'm looking forward to creating music and performing at our surplus of festivals we showcase every year.
How do you see your artistic practice engaging with current events?
As we fight against systemic racism while going through such an unfortunate pandemic, the way I see my music engage with these current events is by creating music that brings awareness to the reality we are faced with and while also making music that makes people feel good. I think we can all agree that things haven't been so easy, and our stress levels have been higher than usual so, I truly believe music has the power to instill positivity upon everyone.
