DU BOIS, Alexandra

Alexandra du Bois, born in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in 1981, is a highly acclaimed contemporary American classical composer, violinist, and educator. She began her musical journey on the violin at the age of two and later discovered her passion for composition as a teenager, drawing profound inspiration from the solitude of rural landscapes and oceanic environments. She went on to achieve academic excellence, earning a Bachelor of Music from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, a Master of Music from The Juilliard School, and a Ph.D. from Stony Brook University.
Her career launched into international prominence as a twenty-year-old student when the legendary Kronos Quartet began performing her work. She eventually became the youngest composer ever commissioned by the ensemble, who went on to commission several of her signature string quartets. Known for a unique "post-style" musical voice that masterfully balances traditional classical structures with avant-garde experimentation, her work has been described by critics as a luminous conscience in times of modern conflict.
Deeply motivated by themes of social justice, historical memory, and human connection, du Bois frequently creates music that addresses global inequality and human rights. Her compositions have been commissioned and performed across five continents by world-renowned organizations, including the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the Beaux Arts Trio, and Southwest Chamber Music. In addition to her active creative profile, she serves as an impactful academic leader and has chaired the composition and theory department at the Longy School of Music of Bard College since 2020.