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The student news source of Iowa City West High

West Side Story

The student news source of Iowa City West High

West Side Story

The student news source of Iowa City West High

West Side Story

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Joe Corlette
Joe Corlette
Podcast Editor

(He/They) Joe is a Senior and has been on West Side Story Online for two years now. He is the Podcast Editor this year. For fun, they enjoy studying mythology, learning about history and delving into philosophical...

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On the arts- Alexandra Dobre ’16

On+the+arts-+Alexandra+Dobre+16

By: Consuelo Mendoza

West Side Story: When did you first start playing guitar?

Alexandra Dobre: I began playing about four and a half years ago when my dad finally gave in to my constant whining and begging and bought me my very first guitar.

WSS: How did you learn to play? Did you have lessons or did you teach yourself?

AD: Since the time I got my first guitar, I’ve been teaching myself. At first it was frustrating, but my previous experience playing the piano helped me. Time passed and I improved, so I started to incorporate singing into

WSS: How long have you’ve been playing the guitar?

 AD:  I’ve been playing for about four and a half years.

WSS: Who or what influenced you to start playing the guitar?

AD: It’s kind of an embarrassing story. When I was twelve years old, I was the biggest Taylor Swift fan. As everyone knows, she plays the guitar; I wanted to be able to do that, too. Taylor’s music was simple and easy to learn, making it the perfect thing to start out with.  I still know how to play all of her songs, even though I don’t like admitting it.

WSS: Why do you like playing guitar?

AD: No matter how many instrumental elements there are to a song, you can always strip it down and play it acoustically. I love that you can do that with this instrument.

WSS: How does playing the guitar make you feel?

AD: Happy, vulnerable, free.

WSS: Have you’ve ever performed in front of anyone with your guitar and voice?

AD:Yeah, I perform a lot in front of my family. A lot of them live across the ocean, so I find myself giving a lot of Skype performances. I’ve played a couple talent shows, I like to play at social gatherings I’m invited to, and of course, in front of my friends.

WSS: Do you ever write your own songs?

AD: Yes, I have written about twenty songs, and I have a couple unfinished ones.

WSS: Who inspires you to write your own music?

AD: The people that inspire me are most often the people that aren’t even in my life anymore. I guess writing is a way to tell them what I’ve always wanted to say them, but never got the chance. I’m a pretty shy person; I’m better off writing a song than going up to that person and pouring my heart out.

WSS: What’s your favorite type of music to play? Favorite song to play?

AD: My favorite kind of music to sing on the guitar would probably have to be alternative/singer-songwriter. There’s just so much variety in those two genres. The song I constantly find myself singing is “Romance Is…” by Lights. It was among one of the first songs I taught myself how to play, the song itself has so much meaning behind it, even though it’s heartbreaking.  The lyrics totally and completely blow my mind.

WSS: Who’s your favorite artist?

AD: Lights Poxleitner. Do yourself a favor and listen to her music.

WSS: How far do you want to get with your talent?

AD: I’m not really expecting fame or anything fancy, all I want is to make music, even if no one is listening. If I can inspire others, even better.

WSS: What’s a cool fact about you and your music?

AD: My ukulele’s name is Calvin and my guitar’s name is Hobbes. If that’s not the coolest thing in the world, I don’t know what is.

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On the arts- Alexandra Dobre ’16