Conductor and Composer Alexander Prior (b. 1992) is the Music Director of the Eugene Symphony. He is internationally renowned for his captivating energy and a visionary skill in shaping a signature dramatic, dark orchestral sound synthesizing an extensive background in the European tradition with a thoughtful and distinctly North American artistic philosophy.
Alex’s early years comprised of an extensive international singing career. This soon followed with composition and through it - conducting, winning a composition competition with his 1st Piano Concerto. He was thereafter invited to study both composition and conducting at the St. Petersburg Conservatory. He made his professional conducting debut at age 14 and graduated with top honours at 17 - a distinction previously matched only by Sergei Prokofiev.
Alex was appointed Assistant Conductor of the Seattle Symphony at 18, the Chief Conductor of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra at 22 (the youngest ever be appointed as the artistic leader of a major North American orchestra) and has performed with many of the world’s best orchestras. In 2025 he became the Music Director and Conductor of the Eugene Symphony.
A lifelong opera enthusiast, Alex has conducted critically acclaimed productions at houses including the Bayerische Staatsoper, Oper Leipzig, Royal Danish Opera, Oper Frankfurt, Theater Erfurt, Vancouver Opera, and Edmonton Opera. Upcoming projects include the 2026 release of Salome - notably Latin America’s first studio recording of a Strauss Opera with Mexico City’s Orquesta Sinfónica de Minería.
In his spare time he enjoys seeing how many more languages he can teach himself (currently his number is 6, but the first two don’t count), listening to an incredibly eclectic selection of music, driving without aim while noting his elevation at various points, and generally learning about everything and anything. He passionately believes in and embodies the power of music to bring people of all backgrounds together to build compassion and ultimately a better understanding of shared humanity.