Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Syedin.
Hi Alex, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. Both of my parents attended music school as children, but never had the opportunity to pursue careers in music. They dreamed of me having a life connected to the arts, so at the age of four, I began ballroom dance classes. While I enjoyed the lessons themselves, the experiences that followed are still painful to recall. Because I lacked the flexibility required for dance, I was often kept after class for additional exercises that were physically painful and I still remember my tears.
Despite my efforts, I wasn’t accepted into the first grade of the choreography department at the local arts school. The competition was fierce, and my plasticity still wasn’t enough. However, I truly admire the professionalism of my teachers. They noticed my strong sense of rhythm and kindly suggested I try studying music instead. That’s how my musical journey began.
At just six years old, I met an incredible teacher and bassoonist, Yurii Konrad, who not only taught me to play the recorder and the bassoon, but also guided me to truly understand what it means to be a real musician. I am deeply grateful for his mentorship. Alongside these lessons, I began learning piano — not as my primary instrument, but more for general musical development. However, I progressed quickly in both, and during my school years I took part in and won international competitions in both bassoon and piano.
When the time came to choose an instrument for university, I decided to focus on the bassoon. Still, I continued playing the piano independently and eventually began composing my own piano music.
In 2019, I graduated with honors from the Ukrainian National Tchaikovsky Academy of Music with a Master’s degree in Bassoon Performance and Pedagogy. That same year, I won a position at Ukraine’s most prestigious theater — the National Opera of Ukraine — where I worked until the war began.
In the fall of 2022, I made the difficult decision to quit everything I built in Ukraine and relocate to the United States. My first stop was Dallas, where I stayed in a friend`s house for about four months. I used that time to learn more about the major cities of Texas, and I was amazed to discover how active and supportive the Ukrainian communities are across the state — something I never could have imagined while living in Ukraine.
In early 2023, I chose to move to the fast-growing and vibrant city of Austin, the state capital — and I’ve never regretted that decision. My first performances on American soil were for the Ukrainian community, where I mostly performed my own piano compositions. That’s when the idea for a full-length album, “Out of Homeland”, was born. I presented this album in 2024 in Austin.
Once I realized that people genuinely connected with my music, it inspired me even more and I decided to focus on my own piano compositions. Almost immediately after completing my first solo album, I wrote a second one: “Universe from the Earth”. It’s based on childhood memories — specifically, the time I spent with my parents in nature, by the river during summer. The album’s presentation in March 2025 was a great success and attracted the attention of local media, including FOX7, who covered the event and shared my story on their channel.
Today, I’m fully focused on my solo project and preparing to release my next piano album, “The Way of Life”, in the spring of 2026. I hope to make it a tradition to release a new album every year — not necessarily only for solo piano, but always with sincerity and soul!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Of course, my musical journey has never been an easy road.
When I look back at my childhood, I clearly remember how some of the judges at competitions were also the teachers of other participants. Looking back, it’s hard to call that fair. Winning in those circumstances was nearly impossible, and as a child, that was a painful realization. But today, I understand that experiences like these — if you don’t give up — build resilience and inner strength. They teach you that the world isn’t always fair, and if you want to be truly noticed, you have to be not just good, but two steps ahead of your competition.
In adult life, the greatest challenge, of course, has been the war that broke out in my country in 2022. It forced me to start over in a new country and rebuild everything from scratch. But despite all the difficulties, it has also opened up new opportunities — opportunities I try to embrace fully and with gratitude.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Right now, my primary focus is on my own music. I’m constantly working to grow as a composer and performer, and recently I’ve begun expanding beyond solo piano by incorporating string instruments into my compositions.
Although I hold a degree as a teacher, but I never initially saw myself as a teacher. However, teaching has become an essential and fulfilling part of my life. I’m genuinely proud of my talented students and do my best to help them reach the big stage as well. For example, during the presentation of my album “Universe from the Earth”, one of my students Ustyna Goncharuk performed one of my compositions. She was just 10 years old on that moment, and although it was her very first time on a large stage but I had complete confidence in her. She not only met the challenge but brought something truly special to the performance, adding beauty and heart to the event.
In general, I try not just to perform music at my concerts but also to create an engaging experience by including a few unannounced surprises for the audience. I believe this is part of what draws people in — and I can see that my audience is steadily growing.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my funniest and fondest childhood hobbies was riding my bike after the garbage truck, just to watch how it collected trash from the containers. At one point, my biggest dream was to become a garbage truck driver — though that dream never came true, and honestly, I’m perfectly okay with that.
When it comes to creativity, I was never interested in building things strictly by the instructions. I always tried to create something of my own, and maybe that’s what eventually led me to where I am today.
Of course, throughout my life I’ve performed music by composers from many different eras, and I continue to do so. But what brings me the most joy on stage is the audience’s reaction to my own music. That response is what inspires me to keep creating.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/syedin_alex/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alex.syedin
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf-e_G4bH6HUz2xHXvEK3cg
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3TOo7mUdbeC8GqELndmoem
Image Credits
Eugene Altyn, Khrystyna Shenrok
