Meet Alexandra Funes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra Funes.

Hi Alexandra, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am a New York City based Salvadoran composer, songwriter and guitarist for mixed media. I was born and raised in El Salvador, a beautiful country with a beautiful culture. Sadly, back when I was a kid, the arts were not a point of focus for the people around me; yet I was immensely fascinated with the idea of creating.

I vividly remember, at the age of seven, my grandmother gave me a guitar as a gift; nothing too expensive, an acoustic guitar for a beginner. I couldn’t even hold it without noticing my body was significantly smaller than the instrument itself. But I was happy, I felt like something clicked. I began my journey as a guitarist by watching homemade videos and figuring out the best way to play the songs I was trying to learn; and eventually, I started playing chord patterns that just happened to need lyrics. This is when I started writing songs. I remember they didn’t even make sense, but I always felt like my heart was in the right place; so I kept trying.

50 songs later, I finally went to college for Music Business and Technology, with the full support of my family. A year in, I found instrumental and vocal composition to be quite fascinating, so I gave it my best considering how far behind I was compared to all the other students in the room. Mila Abbasova, one of my most influential mentors, made sure I felt strong enough to keep trying and keep creating. 4 years later, I graduated with a double bachelor’s in music technology and composition, and at that moment, I had never felt so complete. I moved to New York City that same year to study a master’s in Film Scoring from the school of music at New York University. The most hectic yet rewarding two years of my life.

Now I’m working full-time under my own company Abstract Forms Studios as a composer and songwriter for Film, TV and Branding. Guess what… My 7-year-old “me” would be as surprised as I am every time I think about it. Without my support system and without discipline, a different story would be bound to me; I am not even sure what I would be doing right now.

I want to make sure from now on, my success comes with the hopes of turning into something bigger than myself so more people can find themselves sharing their stories with the world.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being in an entertainment career is not easy, it is almost stated that the road is quite complicated. Let me explain – There’s an insane amount of competition, not too much funding for specific communities and projects, and a small amount of courage to go through uncomfortable times. Being a creator comes with sacrifices, thinking if you’ll ever be able to afford living when you are starting your career; being afraid of constant rejection, and more. Once you see the light at the end of the tunnel, things start looking up; and all of the sacrifices, the rejections and fears start slowly fading away. I always try to remember that life is short and tough at times; but being able to say my job consists of doing what I love is truly more than I could have ever asked for.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a music composer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. I am the founder of Abstract Forms Studios where I create and produce music for films, TV and branding. My music is inspired by the intricate morphing characteristics of humanity, and it is recognized for its versatile blend of orchestral, synthetic, and popular genres.

Recently, I’ve collaborated with Spitfire Audio, Orchestral Tools and Sonixinema; and I am currently working on a wide variety of indie titles as a composer, songwriter and guitarist.

What sets me apart from others is that I treat each project, no matter the circumstances, with three core values: versatility, humanity and commitment. I make sure to always provide a great collaborative experience in every angle – kindness, open-mindedness, drive, and care.

What matters most to you?
What matters the most to me is creating human connections through art. Every beautiful memory I hold with me has been because of me forming a bond with a fellow musician, a director, an artist, etc. There’s nothing more special than being able to say I share my passion with billions of people in the world; people that see the world with wonder and with the mind of a creative.

That’s why just being human while I do my work means so much to me. Because being able to forget about the physical borders and focus on the connection we all share because of art is truly mesmerizing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.alexandrafunesmusic.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexandrafunesmusic/

Image Credits
Alex Ulloa Elizabeth Mercier