Piano, Voice, & Clarinet Instructor

Alexia Benson is a singer-songwriter, composer, pianist, vocalist, and clarinetist who loves to perform and create meaningful art. She performs and creates music in styles ranging from classical, rock, R&B, and jazz. She recently graduated with her Master’s in Composition from the University of Michigan and received her Bachelor’s in Composition and Vocal Performance from the University of Redlands in Southern California.

As a composer, her music has been performed by professional musicians from Los Angeles and Ann Arbor. As a vocalist, she has performed in a number of operas and was asked to perform as the alto soloist for a performance of Mahler’s 2nd Symphony with Maestro Kenneth Kiesler and the USO Orchestra. She recently organized a concert of new compositions to be performed at the famed Kerrytown Concert House in Ann Arbor.

Aside from her classical background, she has performed as a vocalist and keyboardist with rock & jazz groups and is currently recording her first album.

Throughout her studies, Alexia has taught lessons to students both independently and through the Community School of Music and the Arts (CSMA) in Redlands, and the University of Michigan’s Success Through Readiness Program, where she taught both private lessons and group classes. In group lessons, she incorporated a mixture of games and exercises to enrich her students’ learning and understanding of music in a fun and exploratory way.

Alexia loves working with students of all different ages, personalities, and backgrounds. She is a highly adaptive, empathetic, and passionate teacher who works hard to curate lessons for each student. Her goal as a teacher is to help students find their own musical and artistic voice by building the foundation of their instrument and helping them explore the creative and technical possibilities for expression in their own playing and/or singing. She cares deeply about being emotionally supportive of her students and encourages them to view challenges and mistakes as positive opportunities for growth.

At a young age, she began writing her own songs and improvising on the piano, which led her to compose music and perform. Because of the teachers who inspired her to do so, Alexia believes that teachers are the guiding forces to inspire a love for music and learning in their students. She promises to bring all of her energy toward each student's growth and looks forward to meeting you wherever you are on your journey!