Student Spotlight: Al-Fadl Salem
Image by Junia Morrow
What’s it like to study at Berklee? Our Student Spotlight series asks current students all about their Berklee experience—what they’re learning in class, what kinds of projects they’re involved in onstage or behind the scenes, how they recharge, and of course, what they’re listening to. In this installment, get to know singer Al-Fadl Salem, a fourth-semester student majoring in performance and electronic production and design from Copenhagen, Denmark.
You can follow him on Instagram.
After graduating high school, Al-Fadl Salem spent six months in Buenos Aires studying at Otro Mundo Escuela de Arte. One of his teachers, Andres Rotmistrovsky BM ’07, was "just unbelievable" on bass. He also saw pianist and producer Cirilo Fernandez BM ’00 perform at a jazz club one night. "I was blown away by his compositions and the performance, and approached him after the gig despite my nervousness to ask if he would be willing to give me a lesson," Salem said.
Fernandez agreed; it's a day Salem remembers well. "I went to his house and stayed there the whole day talking and learning about music, but also about life. Cirilo told me, 'Berklee is the Hogwarts of music. The teachers are masters and your classmates magicians. You have to apply.'" When his studies in Argentina were finished, he returned to Denmark and did just that.
On January 9, just before beginning his fourth semester at Berklee, Salem had the distinct honor of singing for Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark as part of a New Year's event at Christian IX's Palace in Amalienborg. He performed solo with pianist Jesper René.
What's been your favorite class so far, and what has it taught you?
I have a couple of favorite classes at Berklee so far, but I’ll stick to one and pick the class most people probably wouldn’t expect: Ear Training with Jane Potter. Having a good ear is integral to musicianship, regardless of which direction you wish to pursue. The ear is the means of understanding the language of music, and though it has been a great deal of work, I have really enjoyed it and felt the immediate effects outside of class. Jane is a fantastic teacher who genuinely cares about her students and their learning. I have had her from my first semester at Berklee and I am taking her elective, Harmonic Ear Training 2, this semester.
What's a project you've worked on since coming to Berklee that you've been especially excited about?
A project I am very excited to be working on since coming to Berklee is my debut mixtape, Real Life Utopia, with songs all written and co-produced by me under the artist name Grace Salem. If I had to describe the genre, it would be leaning towards electropop inspired by artists such as James Blake and Rosalía. It's still in the works, but progressing steadily!
How do you typically recharge or find new ideas outside of class?
I find inspiration by spending time with and observing people and the world. Taking a walk alone—even without headphones sometimes—and letting yourself notice what’s around you. All the sensory impressions. When I do that, I can’t help but get inspired. I’m urged to create something which translates my impression of the world. Most often it happens to be through words and music. If you open your eyes to the world, ideas will come.
When you think toward your own future, who inspires you most?
I am inspired by a big number of people, some of which I am lucky to call friends and even family. I look up to anyone who pursues their dream and tries to make a positive difference in the world, whether an artist, computer scientist, or investment banker. None named, none forgotten.
What's one piece of advice you'd give to your high school self?
You should practice right now, bro.
Al-Fadl Salem's Top Five Songs
We asked Al-Fadl to give us five tracks from his favorite artists. Check them out:
