Yucheng “Alex” Zhang is actively involved as both a composer and arranger. His compositions have been performed and recorded throughout U.S. and China by various ensembles, including Illinois Modern Ensemble, Texas Tech University Symphony Orchestra, University of Northern Colorado Chamber Choir, Linfield Concert Choir, L’abri Trio, Music&Friends Chamber Ensemble, Duo Zonda, Durations Trio, as well as features with Charlotte New Music Festival, North American Saxophone Alliance Biannual Conference, Atlantic Music Festival, and NYC Contemporary Music Salon. Recently, he became a member of the renowned composer collective Consonance. Alex earned his DMA composition degree at Texas Tech University and MM in music theory and composition at the University of Northern Colorado. His previous composition teachers include Jennifer Jolley, Peter Fischer, Robert Ehle, Eric Alexander, and Richard Bourassa.

Alex is also immersed in music education and pedagogy, having taught music theory, aural skills, composition, and choir at both the collegiate and secondary education levels. He was a research assistant for a faculty research endeavor at Linfield University Department of Music, aiding his professor’s dissertation on topics of aural skills and improvisation in collegiate classrooms, which has been published in the Columbia University archive of doctoral studies. Alex completed a post-baccalaureate teaching licensure program in music education at the University of Northern Colorado. Before joining East Tennessee State University, Alex was a lecturer in composition-theory at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He served as the music theory Graduate Part-Time Instructor of record at Texas Tech University and was a faculty member at TTU Band and Orchestra Camp. He also served as president of the Society of Composers Inc. at Texas Tech chapter.

Education:

D.M.A. Composition – Texas Tech University

M.M. Theory and Composition – University of Northern Colorado

B.A. Music – Linfield University