In "Complete Musicianship: from Classical to Jazz and Beyond," Alexander Pershounin, DMA works with bass, guitar and orchestra middle and high school students on fundamental skills as well as jazz improv, techniques and style. He focuses on performance and theory topics that integrate into the school band program's ongoing curriculum.
Dr. Pershounin has performed extensively nationally and internationally. Equally versatile in classical, jazz, commercial and world music settings, he has been featured as a performer, arranger and composer on internationally recognized music events including Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, Pori Jazz Festival in Finland, Europe's Jazz Contest in Belgium and New Orleans Jazz Fest.
He is Assistant Professor of Bass Studio at the University of Florida, School of Music. He teaches classical, jazz and commercial double bass and bass guitar studio. Prior to UF he taught at the University of Northern Iowa, Columbus State University, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Westfield State College and Gnessins' State College of Music in Russia. His students won national and international competitions, were accepted to prestigious music institutions, and successfully developed their own professional careers as musicians.
His performing credits include collaboration projects and appearances with the world-class artists ranging from Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Golson, Bob Berg and Ray Charles to Itzhac Perlman and Yo Yo Ma. He has recorded several commercially released albums as a soloist and an ensemble musician.
Dr. Pershounin holds music degrees from Russia's most prestigious music institution, Gnessins' State Academy of Music in Moscow, as well as DMA and MFA degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi.