Aleksander Tengesdal, D.M.A

Fostering the joy, freedom, and creativity of being a musician, Dr. Tengesdal seeks to form a versatile and balanced technique of cello playing that combines precision, expression and flexibility which is suitable for multiple genres and styles. As a composer, he is focused on constructing a repertoire for the cello that is steeped in his unique musical experiences. His DMA thesis is a portfolio demonstrating the steps necessary to independently release an album and the accompanying sheet music. The cello composition album 6:5 (Six to Five) is available online on major streaming platforms. He is a self-published ASCAP artist. Dr. Tengesdal earned his Doctor of Musical Arts in Cello Performance from the University of Minnesota with a Secondary Emphasis in Composition, a Master of Music in Cello Performance from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, and a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He also did two years of DMA studies at Bowling Green State University in Contemporary Cello Performance with specializations in Digital Media, Culture, Music Technology and Cognitive Studies, one year of Master’s studies at the Sibelius Academy, Finland, in Early Music Cello with a study of the viola da gambe. Additional studies in music have been on Berklee Music Online in the Music Business Specialization and Electronic Music Production Specialization. Dr. Tengesdal’s competencies span Baroque to Contemporary cello repertoire and technique, orchestral cello repertoire, chamber music cello, avant-garde cello repertoire and technique, and alternative cello. He has a variety of performing and teaching experience in solo, chamber, and orchestral contexts.