Alex Valencia

Guitar Department Chair — Classical, Jazz, Latin, Rock
Director of Program Development

Alex began playing the guitar at the age of thirteen. He was accepted to the Academia Superior de Artes de Bogotá in Colombia in 1999 where he received extensive training in Latin American Music. Alex spent several years performing across the USA both as a soloist and an ensemble musician. He has been granted numerous scholarships including the School of Visual and Performing Arts Scholarship, the David Movshow Memorial Music Scholarship, and the Wilf Family Scholarship. In addition, Alex won first prize in the ASTA/NJ 2007 String Competition in the senior division.

Alex Valencia received his degree in Guitar Performance with the highest honors, from Kean University in New Jersey, where he studied under Christopher Kenniff. After his graduation, Alex moved to Chicago to study with world-renowned guitarist Denis Azabagic. Alex has also performed in master classes for guitarists such as Jason Viauex, and Kevin Gallaguer.

With more than 12 years of teaching experience, Alex is extremely versatile, instructing in diverse areas ranging from Latin music to Jazz and Classical. He has extensive experience in preparing students for performances, auditions, and Royal Conservatory of Music Examinations, along with instructing students in improvisation, comping, and ensemble music. While teaching at Fox River Academy in Chicago, Alex helped develop their music theory program and taught pre-college theory in addition to his private guitar studio.

Alex balances full-time teaching schedule at Lindeblad School of Music, with performances in tri-state area, and currently serves as an adjunct Faculty member at Hunter College, City University of New York.

Click here to find out more about our guitar program.
Click here to find out more about our guitar ensemble.