Alex McKeel

PIANO, Guitar, VIOLIN, UKULELE, TRUMPET

Education and awards:

• B.A. in Architecture, Minor in Music, Clemson University, 2022
• Classically trained since age six in various instruments including piano, viola, and trumpet
• Augusta Symphony Orchestra Youth Concerto Competition runner-up, 2015
• All-State Band Member, trumpet, 2014-2017

Notable roles/performance experience:

• Clemson University Jazz Band (piano), 2019-2022
• Men’s Choir & CU Singers, 2019-2022 
• Co-founder and member of “Shower Pizza,” an indie rock band
• Member of the Aiken Youth Orchestra, 2010-2015

Teaching experience: 

• Private guitar and piano instructor since 2020
• Teaches in classical, jazz, rock, pop, and American folk styles

Alex McKeel began his classical musical education at the age of six on various instruments, including piano, viola, and trumpet. He was a member of the Aiken Youth Orchestra from 2010-2015 and went on to be selected for All-State Band in trumpet from 2014-2017. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Clemson University, where he was involved in a variety of musical activities, including the Clemson University Jazz Band, Men’s Choir, and the Clemson University Singers from 2019-2022.

Since 2014, Alex has played at various wedding, holiday, and cocktail bar gigs. He also performed local shows and self-produced an EP with his indie-rock band “Shower Pizza,” an indie rock band he founded with other Clemson students.

Alex teaches piano and guitar, which he has been doing since 2020. He teaches from beginner to intermediate levels in various styles, including classical, jazz, rock, pop, and American folk.

Alex credits his piano, viola, and trumpet teachers as a young child and adolescent for his passion for teaching. His primary mission is to build confidence in his students to effectively express themselves both in and out of music. “This comes from a strong technical background that will grant them more and more creative freedom and artistic license as they develop their skills,” he explains.

One way Alex accomplishes this is by building a strong “listening diet” for each student. “I teach them not just how to play music, but how to research and find music on their own that they have a strong emotional connection to,” he shares.

Among all the performances Alex has been a part of, his most favorite has been playing piano at the Willcox Hotel in Aiken. “A lot of the patrons there are an older jazz crowd, and are the most interactive and lovely to play for,” he explains. “I have made many friends there and learned so much about the early-mid 20th century jazz scene through the people who were there when it was all happening!”

“My favorite style of music is Americana/bluegrass/folk, anything under that umbrella,” Alex shares. He is currently writing and recording songs to be released as a solo artist.

Alex’s hobbies include running, cooking, and writing. He was homeschooled until middle school, and he and his mom raised and trained a service dog when he was in high school through Canine Companions for Independence.