Alexander Kahn is Professor of Music and Director of Orchestral Activities at Sonoma State University. He came to Sonoma State from Gettysburg College, where he was Associate Professor of Music and Director of Orchestral Activities. Alexander previously worked with the UC Berkeley Chamber Orchestra and the UC Berkeley Symphony.

Alexander has worked with professional orchestras across the United States and throughout Europe.

Currently, he is an Assistant and Cover Conductor for both the Santa Rosa Symphony and the San Francisco Symphony, as well as our 25/26 Season Guest Conductor.

Alexander has served as Music Director of the Metta Ensemble (Gettysburg, PA), Cover Conductor for the Baltimore Symphony (Maryland), Staff Conductor for the Spoleto Festival (Charleston, South Carolina) and Assistant Conductor of the Bamberg Symphony (Germany).

A champion for music education, he is Music Director of the Napa Valley Youth Orchestra. Alexander regularly works with young musicians at the Encore Coda Performing Arts Camp (Sweden, Maine) and at the Cazadero Performing Arts Camp and is a frequent Guest Conductor for high school honor orchestras throughout California. He also serves on the Board of the California Orchestra Directors Association (CODA).

Alexander earned a PhD in Music History from UC Berkeley and remains active as a scholar. His book on mindfulness and music, Caring for the Whole Musician, was published by Routledge Press in 2023. He regularly lectures and offers workshops on the subject of mindfulness for musicians.