Pacifica Stories

Andres Fierro is a Pacifica alumnus and just began his first year on staff as our Music Instructor, but has served as the Music Director for PACARTS productions since 2020. He was born and raised in Los Angeles, with his parents, sister and fellow Pacifica alumna Sofia, and their one cat. His first introduction to music was L.A. Chamber Orchestra’s Instrument Petting Zoo, where he held a violin for the first time. Andres was active in theater throughout middle and high school, and even attempted filmmaking as a writer and director on some short films while in school. 

After graduating from Pacifica in 2019, Andres went on to pursue a Bachelor of Music in Music Composition as well as a BM in Conducting at Chapman University. While attending Chapman, Andres began working at Pacifica as the music director for our PACARTS productions, while also engaging in a multitude of professional composition and performance opportunities across the West Coast. Some highlights from these opportunities include playing woodwinds in a live to picture presentation of Pixar’s “Coco,” working as a pianist at Knotts Berry Farm, music directing a production of “Urinetown” at Village Theater in Washington, composing an original musical premiered in Edinburgh, Scotland, and guest conducting across a few Orange County school ensembles. Throughout these experiences, Andres has learned to take initiative in his own educational journey.

“Your college experience is what you make of it,” says Andres. “Every school will only offer you so much, but if you go and pursue opportunities beyond what is offered in the classroom, you will learn so much more and find paths you never thought existed. Spending a year and a half online proved that!”

Mr. Fierro has also maintained a strong spiritual life since a young age. As a Catholic, his faith has always been incredibly important and personal to him. He says that being able to spend time praying, going to mass, or reflecting on the ways God has blessed his life has helped him find balance and solace during rough moments in his college and professional career. 

“My faith continues to keep me strong and confident through my career because I believe everything that has fallen before me is part of God’s ultimate plan for my life.”

Andres now finds himself in a position to give back to a community and program which he says were invaluable to his personal and professional formation. He feels lucky to do so as Pacifica’s Music Instructor, especially because the culture of our school allows him to get to know each student and evaluate the best way to challenge them to grow as artists and as individuals. Even before he officially came on staff, Mr. Fierro says that he felt welcomed to bring his ideas to the productions he worked on and felt as though he was able to find new ways of helping students grow in their passions, techniques, and maturity. We can’t wait to hear his contribution to our fall musical, ‘Little Shop of Horrors,’ which opens in November!

“I hope that the music students learn the value of music as a language, and its incredible power to help ourselves and our listeners tune into an experience that no other art form can provide,” says Mr. Fierro. “But I also hope that they take away the importance of finding balance in their lives. I firmly believe in the importance of being a well rounded person, because that is the key to living a long, happy, and fruitful life.”

In his free time, Andres spends a lot of time with music. He says that being a composer isn’t exactly a 9-5 job! However, he also enjoys playing chess, going for walks or hikes around L.A., playing soccer with his sister/friends, and cooking– especially his family’s recipes.