Marina Alexandra was born in the city of Kharkov in the Ukraine. At the age of six, she was accepted
at The School of Music for talented children. She graduated with honors and continued her studies with
Vitaliy Petrov at the Kharkov’s State College of Music. At the age of seventeen, while still completing
her bachelor’s degree, she was invited to direct a classical guitar program at the public school in
Kharkov. Within a year, she received an offer as a full-time guitar teacher at The School of Music for
talented children. In 1998 Ms. Alexandra was awarded a scholarship in music and a graduate fellowship
in guitar to continue her studies with Christopher Berg at the University of South Carolina. Berg
described her as "technically gifted and musically inspired.” In 2001, she received her Masters of
Music degree in Guitar Performance from USC.

Since receiving her degree, Marina has been awarded honors such as:

* November 2001 - First Place at MTNA-Gibson Collegiate Artist Guitar Performance Competitions for South Carolina
* June 2002 - First Prize at South Carolina Guitar Competitions - Professional Category
* January 2002 - Second Place at MTNA Competitions for Regional
* February 2002 - Selected to compete at the 6th annual Edwin H. and Leigh W. Schadt String Competition for a classical guitar among eight other USA semifinalists
* February 2006-became one of the 10 semifinalists at Columbus International Guitar Competitions

Marina Alexandra is an active performer and promoter of classical guitar. Her performances have been featured by venues such as Piccolo Spoleto, SC State Museum, Wingate University, University of South Carolina in Aiken, Art Festival of North Charleston, Columbia College, Wofford College, Allentown radio, and Brookgreen Gardens concert series.

In 2001 Mrs. Alexandra founded the Guitar Muse Concert Series in Columbia, South Carolina and released her first CD "Timeless Enchantment", which includes the music of different time periods (from Baroque to modern).

In 2006 Marina Alexandra recorded her next CD "A Moment of Magic" which is completely dedicated to the music of Russian composer Nikita Koshkin. This CD received high acclaims from critics and leading guitarists. (reviews)

In addition to her active concert schedule, Ms. Alexandra continues to master her multicultural teaching technique. She has led guitar programs in the Community Music Program at the University of South Carolina School of Music, Wingate University in North Carolina and the University of South Carolina in Aiken. Her students have been honored with scholarships from the University of South Carolina School of Music, Stetson University, University of Southern California, Eastman School of Music and Peabody Conservatory .

Her students have been awarded major prizes at the South Carolina Guitar Competition, Appalachian Guitar Competition ( NC), and Columbus Guitar Competition( GA). Marina Alexandra is married and has two sons.

 

Home | Biography | Russian Biography | Concerts | Teaching | Services |  Guitar Muse Concert Series | Discography | Friends & Fans | Contact |