Published June 4, 2025
BY NICOLE MIRSKI
After starting his music career in his seventh-grade music class at Harden Middle School, Daniel Hernandez has continued to study this passion with a Bachelor of Music and plans to complete a Master’s program at the University of California, Los Angeles Herb Alpert School of Music.
“When I got to the eighth grade class, I met a friend who was in Youth Music Salinas, which is where I sort of got the jump into music,” says Hernandez. “That led to me joining more groups and orchestras after.”
Everett Alvarez High School and CSU Fullerton graduate Daniel Hernandez felt as if his experiences at both schools helped him greatly when it came to developing his love for the clarinet. courtesy of DANIEL HERNANDEZ
During his sophomore year of high school, Hernandez realized this was something he could continue to do and make an actual career out of. While he did play with the orchestra at Everett Alvarez High School, most of his competitions were part of outside organizations. He competed in the Central Coast Section Honors band, and his junior year, he got into the All-State Band.
Monterey County Pops! was a big part of Hernandez’s journey, as it allowed him to compete in a 40-person orchestra and gain experience in what his future could look like. MCP music director and conductor Carl Christensen reminisces on the growth the clarinetist experienced throughout high school and his time at California State University, Fullerton, where he earned his Bachelor of Music.
Daniel Hernandez is joining the Civic Orchestra of Los Angeles and hopes it will be a beneficial opportunity to learn about the performance industry. courtesy of DANIEL HERNANDEZ
“It’s been real fun watching him grow,” says Christensen. “For a musician, how advanced you are on your instrument is your calling card, and everything else is a bonus. He is definitely advanced.”
The process of applying for the music program consists of videoed and in-person auditions, which require a lot of practice and perfection in specific pieces of music. At the end of his time at Fullerton, Hernandez performed for over an hour by himself with an accompanying pianist. This tested his ability to perform in front of an audience and his ability to master his instrument.
“I wanted to go to UCLA mostly for the teachers,” says Hernandez. “There are two specifically that I want to work with. One is the principal clarinetist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, which would be a dream job, and the second is a recording artist in the TV and movie scene.”
With aspirations to be in the performing aspect of the music industry, the clarinetist is also open to teaching on the side, which he is already currently doing. These private lessons are a way for him to share his love for the craft while learning practical skills that could help him later in life.
He has already lined up a spot as the second clarinet or a bass clarinet with the new Civic Orchestra of Los Angeles.
Hernandez’s passion for music has inspired him to continue his education in order to get as close to perfection as he can. Starting at UCLA in the fall, Hernandez is excited for the upcoming lessons he will learn.
