Alejandro Arenas
Alejandro Arenas was born in Medellin, Colombia where he started his musical career playing flamenco and classical guitar. He picked up the bass while he attended the Colegio Andino/Deutsche Schule in Bogota where he performed in the Salsa and Andean Music ensembles as well as the school’s orchestra. During his high school years he performed with different independent bands with styles ranging from salsa, blues, rock and heavy metal. Upon graduating high school he moved to Gainesville, FL. There he worked as a freelance musician while being exposed to different genres such as reggae, jazz and funk.
He earned an A.A in Music Studies from Santa Fe Community College where he worked unpacking books in the morning, studying during the day and playing gigs by night. In the midst of this chaotic time in his life he developed a deep love for jazz which drove him to learn to play the upright bass. He holds a Bachelors of Music in Jazz Performance and a Master of Music from the University of South Florida. During his studies at USF he toured Italy, France and Germany with the Jazz Ensemble 1 and the Jazztet performing at different jazz festivals such as Umbria, Juan Les Pines and Düsseldorf Jazz Rally.
Professional Accolades
- Performances with: Dick Hyman, Marty Morell, O Som Do Jazz, Jeff Rupert, Whitney James, Antonio Adolfo, David Amran, and more.
- Co-leader of La Lucha
- Member of Orilla
SPC Successes
- Faculty: Double Bass, Electric Bass, MIRA Rock, R&B, and Hip-Hop Ensembles
Education
- University of South Florida – BM – Jazz Studies
- University of South Florida – MM – Jazz Performance
Contact
- arenas.alejandro@spcollege.edu
- http://www.laluchamusic.com/
- https://www.orillamusic.com/
Study Music and Music Technology at SPC
Connect with our Music Department today! Complete the following survey questionnaire to learn more about our program and clarify your goals. You will receive a custom detailed email response with faculty, advising, and financial aid contacts, and guidance towards next steps. https://web.spcollege.edu/survey/30265
About Music at SPC
Music AA Transfer
SPC’s Music and Music Education AA Transfer degrees (60 credits) are two-year programs that prepare students for transfer to University music programs in Performance, Music Education (Band, Chorus, Orchestra, General Music), and Music Therapy. Students earn Music State Common Perquisite credits in music lessons, music ensembles, music/aural theory, and student recital. Students also earn all 36 general education liberal arts credits.
Music Industry Recording Arts (MIRA) AS Degree
SPC’s Music Industry Recording Arts (MIRA) AS degree (64 credits) is a two-year workforce program with technology focus. It prepares students to work as producers, audio engineers, composers/songwriters in the music industry. The core curriculum includes courses in digital audio workstations, live sound engineering, studio recording techniques, critical listening, legal issues in music, practical music business, and more.
Audio Engineering and Production (AUDIOPE) Certificate
SPC’s Audio Engineering and Production (AUDIOPE) Certificate (24 credits) is a financial aid eligible certificate that includes instruction in digital audio workstations, studio recording techniques, acoustics, live sound and professional audio production. The stand-alone certificate prepares workforce internships and employment. The 24 credits also count towards the MIRA-AS degree.
Donation Opportunities
As a non-profit organization serving our community, charitable contributions are vital to our mission to educating students and engaging our community. Your support makes performances, art shows, and concerts possible and provides invaluable experiences for our students.
Donations impact our music students by providing:
(1) Scholarships for bonus elective courses
(2) Loaner hardware/software kits to those in need
(3) Expansion of facilities
Those wishing to donate to SPC Music and SPC Humanities and Fine Arts should contact Department Chair Nathan Muehl muehl.nathan@spcollege.edu