Biography

Dr. Alex Gerleman is Director of Choral Studies at NMSU. He recently completed his DMA in Choral Conducting at Michigan State University, where he served as graduate conductor of University Chorale, Singing Spartans, State Singers, and chorusmaster for the MSU Opera. As an instructor at MSU, Gerleman taught coursework in choral conducting, class voice, and applied conducting lessons.

Dr. Gerleman also holds a Master of Music in Conducting from Baylor University and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Music Education from St. Olaf College. Prior to graduate study, he taught for five years at Shakopee High School in Shakopee, Minnesota - a program with 320 student singers. At Shakopee HS, Dr. Gerleman conducted three curricular choirs and two chamber groups, vocal directed the fall musical, taught voice lessons, and co-led an annual Masterworks performance with orchestra.

His recent scholarship focuses on expanding the traditional canon of choral literature and accessible, engaging approaches to programming large choral works. In 2024, Dr. Gerleman was awarded an MSU fellowship which funded the first-ever recording of “First Mass, in F” by late-Romantic Costa Rican composer Alejandro Monestel.

Dr. Gerleman’s teaching is shaped by a student-centered process that values curiosity, collaboration, and a continuous growth-mindset. His ensembles explore a wide range of styles and traditions, underscoring that flexibility is one of the greatest assets a musician can cultivate.

Dr. Gerleman looks forward to connecting with students, colleagues, and community partners in Las Cruces to continue building meaningful and transformative choral experiences for all at NMSU.