Al Cantar - Film Composer, Cellist, Visual Artist
"Al Cantar was born as a vow to honor my past and future. Torn by my Queerness and First-generation identity, I mend back together to sing brighter for those who will come after me." - Al Cantar
Abram Alcantar is a multi-faceted artist, musician, and composer based in Fort Worth, Texas, who creates work to amplify other artists. Currently exploring his Mexican roots in his visual artwork, Abram created Al Cantar, a persona dedicated to encapsulating this pivotal period in his life. Al Cantar, translating into “ To Sing”, has worked with and uplifted countless artists at his current attendance at Berklee College of Music, majoring in film scoring. His 10+ years of experience as a cellist have landed him performances with the renowned Berklee College Symphony Orchestra and Berklee Motion Picture Orchestra and around the world in Lagos de Conciertos in Valencia, Spain. Al Cantar brings a contemporary new sound and visuals in his featured works: I’ll Start a War- Keeme Tajudeen, Murky Water- Zagara Sims, Make Me A Tree- Chiara Elgold, Anxiety- Maggie Welch, Secondhand Love - Alex Hoskyns, Exit- ZESI, and Cigarette- AnneMarie Shawi. Al Cantar’s fluency in the performing and visual arts grants him a unique lens to blur mediums, challenge definitions, and create otherworldly experiences.
Film Composition has been the realized bridge between Abram’s connection to the performing and visual arts, stemming from his upbringing in the suburbs of Texas. From classic Disney films with dreamy visuals and scores, along with retro video game OSTs, media in itself became the highlight of his childhood. Music and Media served as an inspiration for him, a place where he could explore his creativity, and served as a grounded foundation when dealing with challenging themes within his identity. The stories he watched growing up kept him going to succeed for his family. The levels he passed through motivated him to make a positive impact on the world. With a mission to uplift others, he expresses himself unforgivably and strives to be a representation for fellow queer first-generation immigrant Americans.
As an artist, he plans to reach gallery spaces and uplift his heritage for others to connect with. As a musician, he wants to collaborate with others, creating a community that creates together from scratch. As a composer, he wants to ornament the human experience into an indisputable truth that seeps through all mediums of media, planning to work with small directors to uplift the stories of marginalized communities like the one he grew up in.
Education
2022-2026
Berklee College of Music
Exhibitions
2025
Nuestros Quince: 15 Years of Impact, Unidos Foundation, FL
2022
I.M. Terrell Senior Exhibition , TCU , TX
2022
"Life In Color" - Art South Container, Art Tooth, TX