Supported by:

Alexander Bernstein - Piano
Age: 23

Alexander Bernstein, pianist, is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Piano Performance at the Royal Irish Academy of Music under Dr. John O’Conor.  Alexander graduated from Harvard College in May 2010 where he studied privately with Stephen Drury of the New England Conservatory.  The San Francisco native began piano lessons at age 7, later moving to Walla Walla, Washington where he studied for nine years in the studio of Professor Debra Richter.  Upon admission to Harvard, Alexander began studying piano with Patricia Zander of the New England Conservatory until her death in 2008.

After making his symphonic debut in 1999, Alexander has performed with orchestras across the US and given solo recitals in the US and abroad.  Alexander has enjoyed multiple masterclasses with distinguished artists including Leon Fleisher, Gilbert Kalish, Alberto Portugheis, and the late John Browning.

Beyond performing standard repertoire, Alexander is an avid devotee of new music, studying works of Berio, Ligeti, Ives, and Cage, among many others.

Alexander has won prizes in several competitions including the Northwest Chopin Competition, MusicFest Northwest Young Artist Competition, Washington State Music Educators Competition, and the Oregon East Young Artist Competition.  Alexander was invited to perform Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G with Harvard’s Bach Society Orchestra by winning the annual concerto competition in 2008.

Alexander also enjoys playing jazz piano, and has participated in the All-Northwest and All-Washington State Jazz Bands.  In 2006, he organized a jazz combo that took First Prize at the International Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.