ABOUT ME

I started on the drum set, which remains central to my creative work and pedagogy today (even as a “classical” musician).

Across my career, I’ve:

  • leaned into my drum set experience with concerto appearances & commissions

  • studied and incorporated non-western traditions in my performance & teaching and presented about this around the world

  • developed an approach to teaching that centers creativity and exploration

Quick facts:

  • I’ve Commissioned or premiered over 30 pieces for percussion

  • I’m featured on over 8 recordings, including the Grammy®-nominated album, Children of Adam, with the Richmond Symphony Orchestra

Things that really excite me:

  • Teaching musicians how to develop their internal connection to rhythm, pulse, and groove

  • Global music traditions and the insights they provide into developing rhythm, creativity, and community

  • Developing students’ humanity and creativity through studying music

  • A good espresso and a large slice of pizza ☕️ 🍕

Resume Highlights

Education

  • DM, Percussion Performance, The Florida State University

  • MM, Percussion Performance, The University of Central Arkansas

  • Masters Certificate, Applications of Karnatic Music to Western Music, Conservatorium van Amsterdam (in progress)

Teaching Positions

  • Associate Professor (with tenure) of Music, Virginia Commonwealth University

  • Adjunct Instructor of Percussion, Troy University

  • Adjunct Instructor of Percussion, The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Workshops, Conferences, Masterclasses 

  • College Music Society International Conferences:

    • 2015 Helsinki, Finland / Stockholm, Sweden: Flute / Percussion Chamber Music Performance

    • 2017 Sydney, Australia: Flute / Percussion Chamber Music Performance

    • 2018, Vancouver, BC: Flute / Percussion Chamber Music Performance

    • 2019 Brussels, Belgium: Flute / Percussion Chamber Music Performance

  • Percussive Arts Society International Convention Presentations / Performances in

    • 2013: Poster Presentation, The Use of the Xylophone in the Symphonies of Dmitri Shostakovich

    • 2018: Performance: Incoming! for marimba and drum set, with Dr. Adam Blackstock

    • 2024: New Music / Research Performance: Concerto for Drum Set and Percussion Ensemble by Jamie Whitmarsh

  • Masterclasses / Workshops: The Florida State University, The University of South Carolina, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Vanderbilt University, Oklahoma City University, The University of South Alabama

Performance Highlights

  • Performed regularly with The Florida Orchestra, The Arkansas Symphony, The Tallahassee Symphony The Richmond Symphony Orchestra

  • National Touring Shows - Wicked (2022), Mean Girls (2022), TINA: The Musical (2024)

  • Commissioned / Premiered over 30 recordings / 8 recordings ranging from The Richmond Symphony to Indonesian vocalist / composer Peni Candra Rini

  • Concerto appearances with the VCU Symphonic Wind Ensemble, The VCU Symphony, The University of South Alabama Wind Ensemble, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Wind Ensemble, The Rowan University Wind Ensemble

Grants 

  • 2018 VCU Arts Dean’s Exploratory Grant, Music, Rhythm, and Movement in Non-Western Music

  • 2022 VCU Arts Dean’s Summer Research Grant, Solkattu in the Studio: Utilizing the Carnatic Rhythmic System to teach advanced rhythmic concepts

  • 2023 VCU Arts Dean’s Exploratory Grant, Embodied Rhythm: Improving rhythmic training in US Conservatories through study of Non-Western music-making.

Bio

Percussionist Justin Alexander is acclaimed for the versatility and musicality of his playing as well as his commitment and focus as a teacher. He is Associate Professor of Music and Director of Percussion Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University where he has built a successful undergraduate percussion studio. A champion of new music, he has commissioned or premiered over 20 pieces for percussion. He is featured on over 7 recordings, including the Grammy®-nominated album, Children of Adam, with the Richmond Symphony Orchestra.

A percussionist who began on the drum set, Justin’s creative work has revolved around this instrument and is a central pillar of his pedagogy. He has premiered or recorded important new works for drum set, including Zipzap: Concerto for Drum Set and Wind Ensemble by Adam Silverman, "Drum Dances" by John Psathas, and "fade", and concerto for drum set and percussion ensemble by acclaimed percussionist / composer Clif Walker. Justin's early interest in both popular and classical music has enabled him to move easily between genres and styles.

Justin's interest in and commitment to an integrated pedagogical approach to non-western traditions in the percussion studio has led to presentations at the 2018 and 2024 National Conference on Percussion Pedagogy as well as a co-authored article in Percussive Notes (2020). He is currently a tabla student of Shawn Mativetsky, and has studied mridangam, frame drum, and Afro-Cuban percussion. Justin is currently enrolled in the "Carnatic Approaches to Western Music" program offered through the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. 

Justin is Principal Percussionist with the Wintergreen Music Festival, a position he has held since 2015. A month-long festival of orchestra, chamber, and jazz concerts, the Wintergreen Music Festival is a top-tier summer classical music festival held in the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains. Justin is an alum of the Aspen Music Festival, and he was on faculty with The Eastern Music Festival in 2012. He has performed with The Florida Orchestra, The Arkansas Symphony, the Tallahassee Symphony (section member, 2010-2013), and performs regularly with the Richmond Symphony Orchestra. 

Respected as a dedicated teacher and clinician, Justin has given masterclasses and clinics at universities and percussion festivals around the U.S. and abroad. His VCU students have a record of success, including job placements in the music field, acceptance at top graduate programs in the U.S., attendance at prestigious summer festivals, and membership in DCI Drum Corps.  

As a member of the Percussive Arts Society, Justin has presented at PASIC 2014 and 2018, published articles in Percussive Notes, and currently serves on the PAS World Percussion Committee. He is the current Secretary of the Virginia / D.C. Chapter of PAS. 

Justin holds the Doctor of Music Degree in Percussion Performance from The Florida State University. His primary teachers include Dr. John W. Parks IV, Dr. Blake Tyson, and Prof. Leon Anderson. He is proudly endorsed by Pearl / Adams Musical Instruments, Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth sticks and mallets, Grover Pro Percussion, and Remo, Inc.

Press Kit

Justin Alexander currently serves as Associate Professor of Music and Director of Percussion Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University. A dynamic and versatile percussionist, Justin has performed throughout the United States and the world, with performances in Belgium, Australia, Sweden, Costa Rica, and The Dominican Republic.

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Through a PDF + video, the Singing Rhythm Guide outlines a method for developing a more natural, embodied sense of rhythmic pulse, meter, and grouping utilizing South Indian rhythmic theory and konnakol syllables. 

Rather than simply articulating subdivisions and counting beats, Singing Rhythm gives us language to express rhythm in a musical way. Working through this method will help you in developing the ability to feel and sing multiple rhythmic phrases over a consistent pulse, giving you:

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