Alex van Duuren is a dynamic and creative instructor and an accomplished professional musician. He currently serves as Assistant Professor of Trombone at the University of Tennessee where he is responsible for private and class instruction of undergraduate and graduate trombone students, as well as performing with the UT Faculty Brass Quintet. His experiences as a performer and academician have developed wide-ranging proficiencies that are adaptable to diverse academic and professional applications. 

van Duuren completed his doctorate at the University of Arizona, two master’s degrees at the University of Michigan, and an undergraduate degree at the University of Florida. His primary instructors were, respectively, Moisés Paiewonsky, David Jackson, and Art Jennings. In addition, he completed a doctoral minor in Entrepreneurship with Eller College of Management, which he received while participating in the nationally renowned McGuire Entrepreneurship Program.

van Duuren has performed with a variety of professional orchestras including the Tucson Symphony and the Orquesta Filarmónica de Sonora, and has also performed with Celtic Woman, the Ohio Light Opera, and the Disneyland All-American College Band. In addition, he has been involved as director and conductor for stage productions and performing arts camps. van Duuren still performs on his original instrument, serving as a piano accompanist for professional recording sessions as well as for his trombone students.

van Duuren is a passionate educator perpetually seeking more knowledge and greater contributions in his various disciplines. He is a winner of numerous scholarships awarded for advanced research and superior performance. He has multiple publications to his credit, including an original work for trombone and piano (Impromptu, Potenza Music Inc., 2010).