A native of Stow, Alexander Popovici has studied and performed music in the Stow-Kent area for most of his life. He began playing violin at the age of eight under the instruction of Tim Staron at the Portage Arts Academy, and gained almost all of his early ensemble experience through the Stow-Munroe Falls School District's string orchestra program under the baton of the Stow Symphony's own Frances Hamilton.
Popovici graduated from Kent State University in 2013 with a B. A. in Music, where he made his first conducting appearances with the KSU Orchestra. He studied violin with both current and former members of Kent State's resident Miami String Quartet, including Cathy Meng-Robinson, Benny Kim, and Ivan Chan. From Dr. Frank Wiley he studied composition and received his first private instruction in instrumental conducting. His perspectives were broadened by further conducting lessons with Dr. Scott MacPherson, Director of Choral Activities.
Along with his work with the Stow Symphony Orchestra, Popovici has been actively involved in musical education through both private coachings and group clinics with middle and high school students in the area. As a founding member of Good Vibrations Musical School he has been providing private lessons on violin and guitar since 2011. He is also assistant conductor of the Hiram College Chamber Orchestra, a string ensemble comprised of students and community members of all ages.
Popovici is always looking to explore further musical endeavors and performs violin and viola with various instrumental and vocal ensembles in the area, including an appearance with the Kent State University Chorale at the 2014 Ohio Choral Director's Association conference. An advocate of new music and art, he collaborated with local composer Rebecca Burrington to conduct the SSO in the symphonic premier of "Music from an Appalachian Farm", a piece for soprano solo featuring the texts of Ohio poet Robert L. Tener. Popovici also conducted the premier of "Verlorene Heimat", an historical opera by Hiram professor Dawn Sonntag chronicling her family's struggle in Nazi-era Germany.