Katherine Alexandra takes on role as music director

Russian–born Katherine Alexandra is a talented vocalist; she has won numerous honors as a concert pianist. Her dream for many years had been to come to the United States. Six years ago, while Alexandra was visiting her sister in Spain, her dream came true when found out she had won the green card lottery.

“I was overwhelmed,” she said. “This gave me a chance to apply for immigration to the United States. It took more than six months of filling out papers and interviews before I was finally able to realize my dream.”

Because she knew no one in the U.S., she chose her destination solely on climate. Alexandra’s health had suffered in Moscow’s bitter-cold winters, so it had to be somewhere warm. She chose Florida, specifically, Orlando. It was late April when she moved.

“It was warm — very warm and very humid, but I loved it,” she recalled. Just weeks after her move to Orlando, she heard about Sarasota and decided it was the next place on her journey.

Alexandra started her musical education when she was 4 years old. She graduated summa cum laude from the Moscow Conservatory with a specialty in concert piano performances. In Russia she performed with the Russian Symphony Orchestra and won several international piano competitions.

After her move, Alexandra slowly began making her voice — and piano — heard in the Sarasota area. She was an accompanist for the Sarasota Ballet; performed at the Polo Grill, The East Village Cabaret and The Glenridge Performing Arts Center; and has had two concerts at the Chelsea Center of St. Thomas More Catholic Church. For two years she was music director at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church. Her most recent role is as the Longboat Island Chapel music director; she came on board earlier this year.

Alexandra still works closely with St. Thomas More Music Director Alex Dilan, who remains her exclusive composer, lyricist, arranger and keyboardist. In March, Alexandra and Dilan presented a concert of classical and pop music, “Katherine Raises the Roof,” at the chapel. It was a kick-off for the chapel’s roof-raising campaign, and it sold out.

According to Alexandra, there are additional concerts planned but no dates set. In addition to her schedule at the chapel, Alexandra and Dilan continue to perform locally.

Her new dream involves a contract with a recording company.

“All I need is a manager and an agent,” she says with a wide smile.
Then, turning serious, Alexandra adds, “It was my dream to come to the United States — the land of opportunity. So, why not make my new dream come true?”