Alex Galiatsatos is a guitarist, singer-songwriter, stage performer, and recording artist based in the DC and Maryland music scene. A native to the area, Alex discovered his musical talents early in his youth. Playing the licks of Hendrix, mimicking the riffs of Led Zeppelin, strumming the progressions of Bob Dylan and harmonizing to the melodies of Simon & Garfunkel were just some of the ways he built his early knowledge as a player and composer and fundamental passion for folk, rock, and the blues. Furthering his development, he attended the University of Maryland School of Music. Under the instruction of guitarist Gerry Kunkle and saxophone great Chris Vadala, Alex earned his Bachelor’s degree in Jazz performance. During this time, he not only performed in jazz groups such as the selective Mid Atlantic Collegiate Jazz Orchestra at New York’s Jazz at Lincoln Center, but also was a founding member of the progressive rock band Bare Left, and began his solo freelance career, practicing and performing in styles such as classical, folk, blues, funk, gospel, rock and more.

It’s this eclectic background that sparked Alex’s love of songwriting and collaborating with many local artists. In addition to playing lead guitar with several bands around town, you’ll find Alex performing, writing, and recording under his stage name Alexander Gallows. With this singer-songwriter project, Alex released his debut album Solitude in 2017, later releasing a four-song EP entitled The Painter and the Actor, a unique blend of songs and monologues that weave a folkloric tale. As a session musician, solo act, part of folk duet Gallows & Curl, or as leader of the rock band Gallows Group, Alex has played local stages such as Pearl Street Warehouse, Blues Alley, Songbyrd Music House, Filmore, New Deal Café, and has been featured in showcases such as We Are The 9 series and the Songwriter Showcase at Boundary Stone.

As a teacher, Alex strongly believes that all students learn differently, with individual interests, curiosities, and reasons for picking up their instruments. With it’s versatility, the guitar offers many avenues for learning, so Alex crafts lessons and long-term goals with each student’s interests in mind. But no matter the learning journey, he’ll incorporate sight reading and technique, theory, improvisation, and repertoire building—elements essential to being a confident, well-rounded musician—in a way that is age and skill level appropriate, interconnected and comprehensive, and fun.