Alexander Clements
Alum

Alexander Clements

Associate Professor

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Clements is a pianist, composer, arranger, and music researcher from Canada. Prior to joining Berklee, he was the associate musical director of Cirque du Soleil’s top selling show “O,” performing to large capacity audiences of 1800+.


Clements's skills and versatility as a composer are recognized by a series of commissions and grants for works ranging in size from small ensemble to orchestra in various styles including jazz, Northern Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, rock, classical, world, and more. His most recent work entitled EnMi, is an eight-movement suite of music written for a 45-minute contemporary dance production choreographed by award winning Mexican choreographer Ana Cuellar. His album Waiting for you…, featuring renown drummer Danny Gottlieb received extensive publicity and favorable reviews. Furthermore, the release landed at #50 on Jazzweek, #2 at Earshot Jazz (Canadian jazz chart), #5 Chartattack (Canadian jazz chart), and #34 on CMJ. Clements will be releasing an album of this music in the spring of 2023.

 

Career Highlights
  • Noteworthy performances include: concert entitled 60X88 featuring six of Las Vegas's top pianists, the Composers Showcase at the Smith Center (Las Vegas), Latin jazz sextet in collaboration with the Gateway Arts Foundation at the Starbright Theatre (Las Vegas), at jazz festivals including the Montreal International Jazz Festival and competed twice in the second and third Martial Solal International Jazz Piano Competition in Paris.
  • Recordings include: three albums under his own name, Suite No. 3 ‘The Cycle of Life’, Emily’s Song and Waiting for you; Between Stops, Latin jazz album in collaboration with Cirque du Soleil musicians John Abraham and Zara Tellander.
  • Major compositions, arrangements, film scores, and commercial work include: EnMi (2022) Ana Cuellar; Imagineering the Magic, Disney DVD score; Turnaround Tango, short Canadian dance film; music for multimedia exhibits at Rockefeller Center, Kennedy Space Center, and more; The Mosaic House, inspired by George Ehling; Jazz Images, Montreal Jazz Big Band; and various works for small ensembles in diverse styles such as jazz, world, Northern Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, pop, blues, and classical.
Awards
  • Music Teaching and Learning Award (USC)
  • Burt Bacharach Scholarship (USC)
  • AEGIS Video and Film Production Award for Composition; Lewis and Clark: Following their Footsteps
  • Canada Council grants including a sound recording grant, small ensembles concert grant, and travel grants
  • Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec - composition and travel grants
  • Prix Opus - Jazz Images (Big Band)
  • FACTOR independent artists recording grant
  • Alberta Foundation for the Arts
  • Alberta Achievement Award
In Their Own Words

"My goal as a teacher is to take you out of your comfort zone, creating challenges that will help you grow as an artist in ways you may not have imagined. I do this by focusing on four pillars which are at the core of my approach to teaching and learning: (1) developing critical thinking, creativity, and self-expression, (2) putting knowledge into practice, (3) curiosity, engagement, and inclusion, and (4) lifelong learning. In order to develop critical thinking, creativity, and self-expression I incorporate tasks that require discussion and critique, analysis and problem solving, critical reflection, and imagination. Using a constructivist approach aided by learning technologies, I design lessons that engage students directly with the subject matter in a hands-on fashion. Lessons are designed to connect knowledge with practice. I give students learning tools that foster personal connections to the subject matter."

"Creativity and innovation are fueled by curiosity, engagement, and inclusion in our diverse world. I work with students of various backgrounds; diversity, engagement, and inclusiveness are intertwined in my teaching. My approach to teaching and learning is shaped by my past experiences living and performing abroad which enabled me to live as an 'other.’ This in turn developed my sensitivity and responsiveness to the diverse cultures of my students, making learning more effective and relevant. I craft lessons in a way that promotes an open and safe environment where diverse points of view are welcomed. Developing the whole person can inspire lifelong learning. Learning should not stop when formal studies finish. Formal studies should transform our students, positioning them to be curious and engaging with our diverse communities, to pursue a lifelong quest for knowledge and truth, to pursue a life of freedom of thought and expression, to be creative and innovative ... to reach their human potential."

"My lessons are informed by my diverse experience as a professional pianist, composer, arranger, and music researcher. I design lessons that directly apply knowledge and skills into real-life practice. Through my experience working with diverse cultures abroad, I promote a democratic learning environment which develops students' ability to see the world through many perspectives as well as their ability to work in a globalized world."

Waiting For You Composers Showcase 2020 - Alex Clements