Professional Experience
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
2024-present
In the spring of 2024, Alex accepted a position as Adjunct Music Theory Instructor at Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC). His first assignment in this position was teaching Music Theory IV, otherwise known as contemporary music theory. Since then, Alex has accepted additional posts as Adjunct Music History Instructor and Adjunct Horn Instructor. One of Alex’s major accomplishments at CGCC is co-founding the Valley’s first community horn ensemble.
Scottsdale Community College
2023-present
In the spring of 2023, Alex accepted as position as Adjunct Horn Instructor at Scottsdale Community College (SCC). In this post, Alex conducts private lessons, sectional lessons, and recruiting at high schools in the Scottsdale Unified School District. His duties as instructor also grant him membership in Scottsdale Winds, SCC’s faculty woodwind quintet.
Arizona State University
2020-2022
At the beginning of 2020, Alex began his doctoral studies at Arizona State University (ASU). From fall 2020 to spring 2022, Alex served the ASU horn studio as a graduate assistant to Dr. John Ericson. His responsibilities included teaching private lessons for music education majors and non-majors, conducting the ASU horn ensemble, and coaching undergraduate chamber music groups. Alex expects to graduate with his doctor of musical arts (DMA) degree in spring 2025.
Freelance Performer and Educator
2016-present
After obtaining his Master’s Degree, Alex became an established freelance horn player in the Phoenix metro area. He has performed with premier groups in area including the Phoenix Symphony, the Phoenix Symphony Brass Quintet, the Phoenix Symphony Woodwind Quintet, and Arizona Opera. Additionally, Alex maintains regular positions with other groups in Arizona such as the Sedona Symphony, ProMusica Arizona, Musica Nova Orchestra, Red Rock Brass, and the Phoenix Brass Collective. He also holds a leadership position in the Valley mainstay group, Salt River Brass.
As part of his mission to transform the musical landscape in the Valley of the Sun, Alex has also helped found Opuntia Winds and Valley Trio, two ensembles dedicated to performing new music and shedding light on underrepresented composers.
Community Engagement
Harmony Project Phoenix
2022-present
Opuntia Winds
2021-present
Salt River Brass
2009-present
Alex is an instructor with Harmony Project Phoenix, the local chapter of a national non-profit after-school program. Their stated mission is to harness the transformative power of music to increase access to higher education for under-served students by removing systemic barriers to achievement through academic and social support.
Alex is the co-founder and horn player for Opuntia Winds, a new type of chamber ensemble that seeks to shed the bounds of the traditional concert hall in favor of programs aimed at schools, retirement communities, and under-served communities. Simultaneously, Opuntia Winds strives to perform, record, and commission works by composers outside the mainstream of classical music and bring their music to as many ears as possible.
Alex is a long-time, emeritus member of Salt River Brass, Arizona’s finest traditional brass band. He joined the group as a senior in high school in the capacity of Solo Horn. Over the years, Alex has performed dozens of concerts with the group, both as an ensemble member and soloist. He currently serves the group in a leadership capacity as horn section leader/personnel manager.
Education
Arizona State University
Doctor of Musical Arts, expected 2025
Alex is currently enrolled at Arizona State University, pursuing his doctor of musical arts degree (DMA), again under the instruction of Dr. John Ericson. During his time in the DMA program, Alex served as a graduate assistant from 2020-2022.
New England Conservatory of Music
Master of Music, 2016
Alex earned his Master’s degree from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA under the instruction of Eli Epstein and members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. During his time in Boston, Alex was also active in the city’s vibrant freelance scene.
Arizona State University
Bachelor of Music, 2014
Alex earned his Bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ under the instruction of Dr. John Ericson and other faculty. Alex returned to ASU to start his doctoral studies in 2020.