This spring, I graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic High School and made one of the biggest decisions of my life. I chose to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston after receiving a full tuition scholarship. I was also accepted to UC Berkeley, and I feel incredibly grateful for both opportunities. In the end, music has always been my passion, and Berklee felt like the place where I could keep growing as a musician and as a person.
It is hard for me to remember a time when music was not part of my life. I started playing by ear when I was very young and would spend time at the piano trying to figure out songs I loved. Before formal lessons, I was already exploring melodies on my own. I began classical piano studies at age 11 and later added jazz piano at 17, which opened up a whole new way of thinking about music.
Music has always been close to my family. My father, Charles Julian Fearing, is a professional guitarist whose career includes recording on more than 250 gold and platinum records. He began touring at 17 with Barry White and learned from some of the world’s best musicians. At home, he was my first mentor. Even though he never formally taught music, he guided me with patience, honesty and a focus on listening and discipline. A lot of what I know started with those moments at home.
One of the biggest moments for me this year was auditioning for Berklee with a Chopin Polonaise. When I found out I had been accepted and received a full scholarship, I felt a mix of excitement and gratitude. It felt like years of practice and support from my family had led to that moment.
At Poly High, I worked hard in school, served as captain of the tennis team and helped win a Moore League Doubles Championship. I also performed in jazz band, earned music honors and participated in the Jackrabbit Pageant, where I performed “Dizzy Fingers” and was named Most Talented.
I also grew a lot through the YMCA of Greater Long Beach’s Youth and Government program. That experience helped me understand how to think about bigger issues, listen to different perspectives and feel more confident speaking up for what I believe in. It also helped shape how I see the world beyond music and sports.
Outside of school, I work at Long Beach Creamery with my older brother JJ. We also play basketball together and spend a lot of time with family.
My Puerto Rican heritage is also a big part of who I am. I have been able to travel to the island and connect more deeply with my roots. Family gatherings often turn into music sessions where we play everything from classical to jazz to Bad Bunny songs. Those moments mean a lot to me.
In our family, we talk about SFC, which stands for Strength, Family, and Connection. Those words really describe how we got through both the good times and hard times together.
My mom, Andrea Marisol Sulsona, often reminds me of that. She is a cancer survivor, a UCLA graduate, and vice president of development at the YMCA of Greater Long Beach. She has always shown me what strength and perseverance look like.
She says, “We have leaned on strength, family, and connection through everything life has brought us. Music has always been the thread that ties it together. Watching Alex pursue his dream at Berklee is the realization of years of dedication, perseverance and love.”
As I get ready to leave Long Beach for Boston, I know I am carrying all of that with me. My family, my community and everything I have learned along the way will always be part of my story.
My family, my community and everything I have learned along the way will always be part of my story.