Alex Burtzos
Alex (b. 1985) is a native of Colorado Springs, CO. Musical from an early age, he performed
locally as a brass player, vocalist and percussionist before moving to New Orleans in 2004
to attend Loyola University. As an undergraduate, he studied composition with Dr. James
Paton Walsh, theory and orchestration with Dr. William Horne, counterpoint with Dr. James
Mackay, conducting with Dr. Joseph Hebert, and form and analysis with Dr. Janna Saslaw.
Alex graduated Summa Cum Laude from Loyola with a bachelor's degree in composition
in May of 2008.
Alex's works have been performed by the Air Force Band of the Rockies, the Colorado
Springs Philharmonic, the Fountain Creek Brass Band, the Loyola University Wind
Ensemble, the Loyola University Symphony Orchestra, the New Orleans Contemporary
String Ensemble, The New Orleans New Music Ensemble, the Ohio Brass Band, the Bay
Bells of San Francisco, celebrated organist Dr. James Hammann, The Manhattan School of
Music Contemporary Performance Program, and many more.
From 2007 - 2010, Alex served as music director at St. Matthew's United Methodist Church
in Metairie, LA, and worked in New Orleans as a freelance composer, arranger, conductor,
chorister, percussionist and clinician. He also developed an association with the New
Orleans New Music Ensemble, eventually serving as one of the group's composers-in-
residence and associate director of operations.
In Autumn 2010, Alex began working towards a master's degree at the Manhattan School
of Music in New York City, studying composition with Dr. J. Mark Stambaugh, form and
analysis with Dr. Nils Vigeland, score reading with Dr. Reiko Fueting and electronic music
with Mr. Joel Chadabe. He currently resides in midtown Manhattan with his beautiul wife,
Jessica, and their cat, Clara.
ALEX BURTZOS