Alexander Panetta
The Soundtrack of My Life
My name is Alexander Panetta, and I am a 21-year-old musical artist, dancer, choreographer, and photographer. I grew up in Mississauga, a city just west of Toronto, where my earliest memories are intertwined with music. My parents often tell me stories of how, as a toddler in a stroller, I would bop my head and dance to the beats of songs playing in stores at the mall. Their love for music became mine, and they introduced me to legendary artists whose songs quickly became my favourites.
Before bed, I remember my dad would put his laptop on my bed and play songs through Frostwire. He’d play just a few seconds, and I’d try to guess the title. It was something we bonded over, creating a foundation for my love of music.
At three years old, I had my first taste of performing. It was at a family member’s celebration, and I chose to sing Lionel Richie’s I Call It Love. I could barely pronounce the lyrics and didn’t really understand what they meant, but with a microphone in hand, I sang the entire song in front of over fifty people.
That experience sparked my love for music and performing.
A few years later, hip-hop music and culture caught my attention, leading me to dance. My dad showed me a few moves, and being half Greek and half Italian, I was also surrounded by traditional dances from my grandparents and extended family.
Dance became a language for me—a way to connect with family and express my love for music
My parents noticed this passion and enrolled me in hip-hop dance classes when I was eight years old. My mom would drive me an hour away to every rehearsal and wait in the car for hours while I trained, making sure I never missed an opportunity to dance.
My dedication to dance grew, and opportunities began to follow. I danced with the Toronto Raptors Jr. Dance Team, performing at NBA games during timeouts and halftime. At age 12, I experienced a surreal moment when I auditioned and was chosen to be a backup dancer on stage with Justin Bieber during his Purpose Tour stop in Toronto.
It felt like a full-circle moment—I had watched his documentary Never Say Never at seven years old in theatres and had even received tickets to that very concert for Christmas, months before I auditioned to perform. Since we were offered free tickets to the concert I was performing at, my dad stood outside the Air Canada Centre for hours, asking passersby if they wanted to buy the tickets we had originally purchased. I mention this to express how supportive my parents have always been and how much they’ve put their lives on pause to support my dreams.
Music has taken my life down paths I never could have predicted.
It has been the compass guiding my choices and shaping my identity
I joined a dance crew for five years, starting with humble rehearsals in stairwells at Toronto Metropolitan University before eventually competing on Canada’s Got Talent, where we earned a golden buzzer and placed in the top three. The crew became a second family—a second home—where we all shared the same ambitions.
Beyond performing, I began creating videos and sharing them online. As I posted consistently, I grew more comfortable behind the camera, learning the art of photography and videography. This exploration opened doors to connect with people worldwide who appreciated my work. Even now, I am still creating music, directing videos, dancing, choreographing, and pursuing photography professionally.
The COVID-19 pandemic gave me the space to reflect and dive deeper into my music career. I wrote and recorded music daily at home, eventually releasing my first solo, original project. Like any artist, I’ve faced struggles, doubts, and pressure, but the passion I feel for what I do has always outweighed the challenges.
Music isn’t just a hobby for me—it’s part of my DNA. It’s how I express myself and navigate the world.
As I continue to grow as an artist, I remain grateful for the experiences I’ve had and the journey that has shaped me. My aspirations are still alive, and I aim to make the most of every opportunity that comes my way.
Listen to Alexander’s art pieces @alexander_panetta
