About Ale
A Lifelong Journey Through Music
From his earliest memories, Alessandro Traina has been inseparably connected to the world of music. His journey began at the age of eight when he started studying classical guitar at the Conservatorio Vincenzo Bellini in Palermo under the mentorship of Maestro Maurizio Norrito, a distinguished student of the legendary guitarist Alberto Ponce. These early years were marked by discipline, discovery, and a growing passion for sound and expression.
At fifteen, Alessandro expanded his artistic universe by embracing the piano, an instrument that would become his closest companion in composition and orchestral conducting. Through endless hours of practice and exploration, he cultivated a deep sensitivity to harmony and texture, shaping the foundations of his unique musical identity. His teenage years were a period of artistic awakening – a time when music stopped being just a discipline and became the language through which he could truly express himself.
By the age of eighteen, Alessandro began studying orchestral conducting under Maestro Carmelo Caruso, a direct student of the legendary conductor Franco Ferrara. This mentorship transformed his understanding of music, allowing him to see beyond individual instruments and perceive the orchestra as a single, living organism. Every gesture, every movement of the baton became an extension of thought and emotion.
From Performer to Visionary Conductor
At the age of twenty, Alessandro made a bold and life-changing decision: he moved to Vienna to further his musical education and refine his artistry. There, he immersed himself in an extraordinary environment of creativity and innovation, studying composition with Maestro Dirk D’Ase – a student of Krzysztof Penderecki and Luciano Berio – and Wolfgang Liebhart, while also attending a masterclass with Penderecki himself. These experiences opened Alessandro’s eyes to the vast world of modern and contemporary repertoire, inspiring him to explore sound in new and unconventional ways.
Simultaneously, he perfected his guitar technique under the renowned virtuoso Adriano Del Sal, from whom he often says he learned the true art of making music. Graduating in both Composition and Guitar from Vienna’s most prestigious institutions, Alessandro embarked on yet another journey: a four-year deep dive into Orchestral Conducting at MUK, where he studied with Andreas Stoehr, Gerrit Prießnitz, and Guido Mancusi. These years enriched his artistic vision and gave him mastery over the great symphonic and operatic repertoire.
Today, Alessandro is not only a versatile performer but also an inspiring educator. At the J.M. Hauer Musikschule in Wiener Neustadt and the Musikschule Wien, he teaches guitar, piano, and composition, conducts the school’s Jugendorchester, and works closely with young musicians, nurturing their creativity and guiding them toward artistic excellence.
To embrace his multifaceted identity, Alessandro created his artistic name “Ale ConductorIst” – a title that reflects his philosophy of music as a living, breathing force. He refuses to be defined by a single role; for him, music is not merely conducted – it is brought to life. His personal motto says it best:“Don’t conduct – Make Music.”
