Alexsandra Castellanos a one of a kind musician at UIC opened up to Her Campus UIC to talk to us about her love for music. Read on to learn about what inspires her to make music, her current band, where she gets her inspiration, and MORE!
Name: Alexsandra Castellanos
Year: Junior
Major: Music
Minor: Sociology
Where does your love for music come from?
I come from a family of musicians. My mother plays the guitar and loves to sing. My uncles from my mother’s side of the family are all musicians ranging from drummers to saxophone players, guitarists, bass players, trumpet players, keyboard players, and vocals. So I have been around music for a good while.
What do you like most about music?
I love music and how people can relate to different styles of music. For me, it’s like window through which we can understand another culture, another trend, current political issues, events, etc. I like how musical ideas have such an impact on what we do most of the time.
Have you always been involved with music?
As far as I can remember yes, I have. I started taking piano lessons at around 5 years old. This happened after my parents gave me my first keyboard ever. They noticed that I was more into music than they thought. Since then, I been around music all the time. Music is always playing at my home for almost every occasion.
What is the name of your current band and how did you join?
Our band name is “Forest of Love” (F.O.L) and how I came to join the band was through a really good friend of mine and the leader of the band (so basically a mutual friend!). He told me that the band (F.O.L) was looking for a keyboard player so I said; why not?
What did you do before you joined your current band?
Where you involved with music in any other way?
I used to play keyboards for small events in my community; such as weddings, birthdays, religious events etc. I also try to keep the habit of writing music.
What instruments do you play?
I play piano and clarinet mostly. I have picked up a guitar a couple times before.
What type of music do you enjoy the most and why?
I grew up listening to different styles of music. Salsa, merengue, bossanova, most styles of jazz, and R&B. I also really enjoy listening to music from different countries and cultures. Whether it is religious, popular, or folkloric. I think each culture and country has music of its own unique beauty.
Do you also write your own music? Where do you get your inspiration? I took a couple of music composition classes here at UIC and also at music conservatory in Mexico. Thanks to these courses I have been able to expand my music composition skills to write for different instruments. I think I get my inspiration from what I see and hear every day.
Do you plan to keep playing music after graduation?
Music will always be a huge deal in my life. So the answer would be yes, I will most definitely still be playing music, hearing, and probably making music.
What do you like the most about performing?
The whole process; from setting up the stage, to the cheering of the crowd, to actually playing the music. But most of all having a great time when playing music.
Who is your favorite singer/performer? Why?
I think I could name different artists/groups/bands from different cultures that I can say are my favorites but the list would never have an end. I have my favorite artist(s) from each part of the world. I really enjoy music from all countries. I love the richness in which each country expresses the culture through music, whether its popular, folkloric, or religious.
What quote or saying do you live by?
Well I have two. The first is, “Keep your eyes on the goal and your obstacles will slowly pass by.” The second one I say to a lot of people is, “Smile because frowns aren’t pretty”. This one always reminds me that though times can be hard but we should try manage a smile. J
Who or what motivates you?
I would say without hesitation everyone I know has motivated me to keep on doing what I do.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
With my BA in music and minor in Social work. I want to be able to work with younger people (teens, children) and provide them with a different windows to different cultures and perhaps maybe encourage more understanding of the different styles of music around the world.
Pictures of her current band: Forest of Love