Ms. Fernandez attended the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and UCLA, where she received a Master's Degree in Viola Performance. She has been described as "...a soulful violist.(- LA Times, Mark Swed) and is a member of the Denali String Quartet, which is the ensemble in residence at the Jacaranda Chamber Music Series in Santa Monica. Alma is also a member of the Eclipse string quartet, an ensemble devoted to contemporary music. She has performed with the Capitol Ensemble on Sundays Live at LACMA, the California String Quartet, and the Dilijan chamber music series.

Alma performs regularly with the L.A. Opera Orchestra, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra, and Long Beach Symphony. She is active in the Los Angeles recording industry, having played for numerous record albums and motion picture soundtracks. She is a member of the New West Symphony & Mladi Chamber Orchestra, and is a previous member of Opera Pacific & San Bernardino Symphony. She performs regularly with the L.A. Opera Orchestra, Los Angeles Master Chorale, and Long Beach Symphony.

Also she has performed with various groups on the Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel, Ellen DeGeneres, Bonnie Hunt, America's Got Talent, and for the Academy Awards.