MUSIC DIRECTOR
MARINA ALEXANDER

MARINA ALEXANDER can count many triumphs during her tenure as Music Director of Richmond Choral Society. Under her guidance since 1995, the ensemble has brought a wide range of exciting music to the community, ranging from much beloved major works to premieres of new musical discoveries. In May 2001, the ensemble celebrated 50 years of bringing great music to Staten Island, singing Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” from his 9th Symphony, which it then reprised at Carnegie Hall. In May 2011, she led the ensemble in “Choral Classics,” a celebration of its 60th Anniversary and past successes. Collaborations with other area choruses and various orchestras have yielded much celebrated performances of works like the Brahms Requiem, Mozart “Great” C minor Mass, and Verdi Requiem, at Lincoln Center and other major venues.In 1993, Ms. Alexander founded The Arcadian Chorale, based in Monmouth County, NJ. Under her leadership, that group established a reputation for musical innovation and excellence, and is now one of the most active ensembles in the state. Committed to creating a permanent record of its work, the group has made numerous recordings, including live stream events on YouTube and works for virtual choir. In 2004, Ms. Alexander was named Music Director of the Metropolitan Greek Chorale in Manhattan, and performed works from both the Eastern and Western traditions with that ensemble, including premieres of works in the Byzantine style plus several of her own compositions.

Ms. Alexander holds a Master’s Degree in Conducting from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and was subsequently invited to teach as Interim Director of the Department of Choral Music. From that same institution, she earned a BFA in Stage Directing for Opera, and then worked with opera companies and festivals both here and abroad, including the Santa Fe Opera, New Jersey State Opera, Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, Lake George Opera, and the Corfu International Music Festival.

Ms. Alexander is also Adjunct Associate Professor of Choral Music at the College of Staten Island-CUNY, where she teaches Conducting, Music History, and leads the CSI Chorus. She leads open sings for her own ensembles, as well as for other choruses in the metro NJ/NY area, and has appeared at Lincoln Center for the National Choral Council’s annual Messiah Sing. She teaches conducting privately, and often appears as a clinician and guest speaker at choral workshops and music festivals.

Marina’s service to the community includes her long-time involvement with the NJ Choral Consortium, as a past president and continuing Board member. Ms. Alexander was nominated by Fleet Bank for its Small Business Leadership Awards, and been honored by the Business Professional Women of Staten Island as a Woman of Achievement. She was chosen by the Daughters of Penelope as their 2011 Honoree for the Salute to Women, as a woman who is Greek or a Philhellene that has achieved a high level within her profession, as an excellent role model and inspiration to all.

For more info on Ms. Alexander’s activities, please visit her website: www.marinaalexander.com