Alexander Pershounin

Alex Pershounin has performed extensively throughout Europe and United States in both classical and jazz settings and has been featured as a performer and composer on such internationally recognized music events as Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, Pori Jazz Festival in Finland, Europe’s Jazz Contest in Belgium, and New Orleans Jazz Fest, among many others. His performing credits include collaboration projects and appearances with world-class artists ranging from Bob Berg, Mulgrew Miller, Conrad Herwig, and Benny Golson to Itzhac Perlman, Yo Yo Ma, and Ray Charles, to name just a few. He also has recorded several commercially released compact disc albums and music to four full-length motion pictures. He holds DMA and MFA degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi and MFA and BM degrees from Russia’s most prestigious music institution: Gnessins' State Academy of Music in Moscow. Prior to coming to UNI, Dr. Pershounin served as the director of jazz studies and professor of bass studio at Columbus State University, and taught jazz studies and bass studio at Minnesota State University Moorhead, Westfield State College, University of Southern Mississippi, and various music institutions in Russia. His students won national and international competitions, were accepted in most prestigious music institutions, and successfully developed their own professional music careers.