Artist Bio
Alexander Ishov (USA)
Alexander Ishov is currently a junior at the Interlochen Arts Academy, studying with Nancy Stagnitta. He has been a member of both the wind ensemble and orchestra, numerously holding principal positions. He participated in the Academy's production of The Nutcracker last December, playing principal flute and joined the Interlochen ensembles for their 50th Anniversary Tour to Grand Rapids, Detroit, Chicago, Washington D.C., and New York City, with a final performance in Alice Tully Hall on March 26th, 2012.
Alexander began his study of the flute at the age of 10, working with with Christine Alicot until 2008. Christine's influence from her study at the Darius Milhaud Conservatory lead to his early instruction of the French Flute School. He went on to continue his studies with Dr. Kristen Stoner of the University of Florida. Throughout this time, he participated in All-County Orchestras and Bands, and local competitions. He held the position of principal flute in the Alachua County Youth Orchestra, performing at Festival Disney in 2010.
In 2009 and 2010 Alexander was a finalist of the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra Concerto Compeitition. In 2010, he won the Ocala Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition and performed the Ibert Concerto with the Orchestra. In 2011 he received 2nd place in the Florida Flute Association High School Young Artist Competition, and 1st place in 2012.
While flute has always been his main instrument, Alexander has also concurrently focused on other instruments. While studying piano with Nina Selyutin, he performed numerous recitals and received premier rankings by the Florida State Music Teachers Association. Greatly enjoying jazz, he also studied saxophone with John Thomas, and played alto saxophone and flute in his school and local jazz bands. He has also spent time working on drums and guitar.
He has performed in masterclasses and taken lessons from teachers such as Göran Marcusson, Jeffrey Khaner, Brad Garner, Stephen Preston, Shelley Binder, Christopher Chaffee and Philip Dikeman.
Alexander is currently applying for various summer programs and seminars, and is planning to spend the summer of 2012 meeting teachers and preparing for pre-screenings and auditions. He hopes to pursue a flute performance degree and to make music into a career. Greatly interested in conducting, he now has the opportunity to take conducting classes at Interlochen and to diversify more into that realm.
Prior to living in Florida, Alexander resided in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His parents are both of Russian origin and birth. Alex is fully bilingual and spends his summers in St. Petersburg, Russia. In 2011, while in Russia, he studied with Irina Pimenova of the St. Petersburg Conservatory Preparatory School. He is greatly interested in history, languages, and culture, believing that understanding of these realms is integral to one's comprehension of any given musical work.