Who's Who

Highly regarded for her innovative approach to programming, Marina Alexander founded The Arcadian Chorale in 1993, and has since guided its musical & organizational development. Under her leadership, the Chorale has established a reputation for excellence.

In the Spring of 1995, Ms. Alexander was also named Musical Director of the Richmond Choral Society in New York City, and serves as conductor of that 80-voice ensemble. Leading both choruses, she made her Carnegie Hall debut in November 2002, conducting Dvorak's Te Deum. At that same performance, she led the choruses and orchestra in the World Premiere of her orchestration of Bainton's And I Saw A New Heaven. Her ensembles joined forces again in May 2004, making their debut performance at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) singing Mahler's Resurrection Symphony.

In 2004, Ms. Alexander was named Musical Director of the Metropolitan Greek Chorale in Manhattan, and has performed works from both the Eastern and Western traditions with that ensemble, including premieres of works in the Byzantine style, and several of her own compositions.

Marina Alexander

Founder
Musical & Artistic Director

Known as a scholar and translator, she produces many new editions of choral music, including the world premiere of a new English singing version of a lost Ode to Joy by by Tchaikovsky, the 2nd performance ever of that piece in the United States. For a May 2002 presentation of Mozart's Requiem, she composed a new completion of the "Lacrymosa" in the style of Mozart.

Ms. Alexander holds a Masters Degree in Conducting from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Dr. Daniel Moe, and was subsequently invited to teach there as Interim Director of the Department of Choral Music. From that same institution, she earned a BFA in Stage Directing for Opera and then worked with opera companies and festivals both here and abroad. These include the Santa Fe Opera, New Jersey State Opera, Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, Lake George Opera, and the Corfu International Music Festival.

Ms. Alexander is also Adjunct Assistant Professor of Choral Music at College of Staten Island-CUNY, where she teaches Music History and Conducting. She leads open sings for her own ensembles, as well as the New York Choral Society, West Village Chorale, North Jersey Choral Society, and the city of Freehold. She has also appeared at Lincoln Center for the National Choral Council's annual Messiah sing.

An advocate for the arts, Ms. Alexander is a founding member and president of the Mid-state Arts Resource Team (mART), a regional organization working to advance the arts in the community. Marina's contribution to the quality of life in Monmouth County was acknowledged by Fleet Bank when she was nominated for its Small Business Leadership Awards. Recently, she was also honored by the Business and Professional Women of Staten Island as a "Woman of Achievement."

An advocate for music education, Ms. Alexander has served as an adjudicator for the New Jersey Teen Opera Festival, the Monmouth County Arts Council's Teen Arts Festival, and the Sights & Sounds Arts Festival of the Greek Orthodox Churches of NJ. She teaches conducting privately, and often appears as a clinician and guest speaker at choral workshops and music festivals. She has been nominated by Fleet Bank for its Small Business leadership Awards, and was honored by the Business and Professional Women of Staten Island as a "Woman of Achievement."

Rehearsal Assistant & Accompanist

John Ward is a pianist, organist, singer, composer, conductor, theatre artist, and former JEOPARDY! champion. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music and Catholic University.

Dr. Ward holds the FRSM (Fellow of the Royal Schools of Music) in Piano, and the LRSM(Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music) in Singing, and, with Distinction, in Organ. He is a Fellow of the American Guild of Organists. Ward is the Music Director of First Presbyterian Church, Hackensack, and he is on the faculty of Main Street Music Studio in Cornwall, N.Y., and Stella Music School in Ramsey, N.J.