Alex Zajdel

Alex Zajdel joined the Lansing Symphony Orchestra as a section bassist in 2024. A Michigan native, he made his professional debut performing with The Cleveland Orchestra as a substitute musician in 2023. Zajdel began his studies with Derek Weller before attending the Interlochen Arts Academy. He went on to study with Scott Dixon at the Cleveland Institute of Music, where he earned dual Bachelor’s degrees in Double Bass Performance and Music Theory. 

He is currently pursuing his Master of Music degree at Michigan State University under Kevin Brown, where he also serves as the Graduate Teaching Assistant. His background in performance and theory reflects a commitment both to artistry and the study of musical structure and the harmonic principles that shape its development. As an orchestral musician, Zajdel has performed as a Fellow at the Aspen Music Festival and School, where he studied with Timothy Pitts. He has also participated in the Domaine Forget International Music Festival and performed in masterclasses with renowned pedagogues including Harold Robinson, Paul Ellison, Joseph Conyers, and Lawrence Hurst. 

Zajdel performs on a double bass crafted by Aaron Reiley in 2021.