Check Out Alex Robinson’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Robinson.

Hi Alex, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always loved music, but I didn’t always know I wanted to be a performer and teacher professionally. Growing up, my mom was a music teacher, so I was constantly surrounded by great music (although I didn’t always appreciate it at the time!) I started piano lessons at age 4, joined band as a percussionist at age 11, then started guitar and voice lessons shortly after. Once I got to high school, my mom and stepdad were my band teachers. I did pretty much every musical ensemble I could – wind ensemble, marching band, jazz band, percussion ensemble, and musical theater. While I was mostly a “band kid,” singing was something I really enjoyed. I began to get more passionate about jazz as a genre through summer camps and jazz piano lessons. By my junior year, through encouragement from my piano teacher as well as an amazing experience in All-State Jazz Choir, I started learning the lyrics to more jazz standards. I had a bit of a crisis when I started the college application process when I realized that music performance, which I had convinced myself I wasn’t good enough to pursue, was the only thing I wanted to do! I auditioned for some programs as a voice major and others as a piano major. Ultimately, I was offered a scholarship to University of Miami to study jazz voice, and it ended up being the best place for me. Over the next six years I went on to earn my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. While I was a successful student on paper, I struggled greatly behind the scenes. I was unknowingly neurodivergent and high masking at school and work. I pushed through to show up for my professors, peers, and my voice and piano students, but I would break down on my own. I was later diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and now know I am on the autism spectrum. Reflecting back on my experience in school with this knowledge opened my eyes to so much. Now as a college professor, I’m passionate about helping my students excel while giving them the tools and structure to do so, working with their minds rather than against them. Today, in addition to my work as an educator, I’m also a professional vocalist. 2026 has been a big year for me – I achieved a long time dream of mine this year when I released my first album, then another just last month when I became a new mom! I’m married to my high school sweetheart, also a professional musician, and we live in OC with our infant daughter and rescue dog.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As I mentioned before, my undiagnosed anxiety and autism made things very difficult for me. I struggled in social environments, which are crucial in a career as collaborative as music. I was constantly overthinking, and never truly felt like I belonged, despite how I appeared on the surface. I was completely unaware of the cause behind my private breakdowns. I didn’t know what masking is, or how exhausting it can be to mask throughout the day. It wasn’t until I was in graduate school that I began to consider that, while I had successful outcomes, I was making the processes much more difficult than they needed to be.

Many of the things I struggled with were antithetical to the values taught in music school: collaboration, passion, deep focus. I had a very short attention span, and I was constantly thinking that my inability to deeply focus on practicing for hours meant that I lacked passion. I struggled to prioritize, and ask for help. Looking back, while I’m proud of what I accomplished during that time, I wish I could hug my younger self and help her sort through what was important to her!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a vocalist, pianist, songwriter, arranger, and music educator. I specialize in jazz voice and improvisation. Currently, I am on the jazz voice faculty at Mt. San Antonio College and Chapman University. I also run my own private voice studio. I perform locally, and sing in professional choral ensembles Tonality (based in LA) and Choral Arts Initiative (based in OC). I’m proud of how much I have grown as a musician and an educator, and how what I have learned in both parts of my career has meshed together! My album that I released in January 2026 entitled I Really Oughta Tell You is a huge milestone on that journey. It showcases much of who I am as a musician, and is a testament to how I have grown since coming to terms with my neurodivergence. I’m incredibly grateful for the collaboration of the other creatives on the album. My hope is that it brings other listeners joy, comfort, and a space to sit with their emotions if only for a moment.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
One of the most important lessons I have learned is that people pleasing is not as selfless as it seems. Trying to predict people’s negative emotions and preemptively prevent them, rather than communicating honestly and effectively, is a lose-lose situation. It can be difficult to be vulnerable and trust others to do the same, but it’s a skill well worth developing!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://musicbyalexrobinson.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexrobinson_music/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musicbyalexrobinson/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/musicbyalexrobinson/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexRobinson_Music

Image Credits
Dana Gaydon, Kyleigh Beirne, Richard Barth