Alex Prizgintas: Author, Musician, Historian, and Preservationist
Alex Prizgintas is a New York-based historian and musician who lives and works in the Hudson Valley.
A life-long resident of the region, his draw to local history came at a young age through collecting artifacts of American culture, an interest that still drives his career today. First immersing himself into the world of local preservation by becoming a member of the Woodbury Historical Society at age eleven, he now serves as President of the organization and has built relations with several historical societies and museums across the Hudson Valley—both as a participating member and a lecturer on topics of local history. His continued goal is to instill a theme of collaboration within local history that aids our communities in better understanding the rich history of the Hudson Valley.
Alex earned his BA from Marist College, summa cum laude, with a minor in Hudson River Valley Studies and a concentration in Public History. While at Marist as an undergraduate student, he spent two semesters interning with the Hudson River Valley Institute—a branch of the college that publishes the peer-reviewed Hudson River Valley Review. Two of Alex’s scholarly works were published in this peer-review journal during his time as a student, in addition to the 35-minute video documentary covering the history of landscape architecture in the Hudson Valley featuring noted historians such as Dr. Francis Kowsky of SUNY’s Buffalo State College. Alex subsequently earned his MPA from Marist which has given the administrative skills crucial in leading historical societies to achieve new approaches of community engagement.
As a musician, Alex has more than ten years of classical training on the cello. However, with tools such as electric guitar effect pedals and a BOSS RC-300 looping station, he pushes the limits of this acoustic instrument to achieve sounds of Jazz, Rock ’n Roll, Latin Tangos, Broadway Classics, and more. His inaugurial “Bach to Rock” program has since expanded to feature twelve offerings including his popular “Salute to Broadway,” the “British Invasion,” “Jazz Ambassadors,” “Winter Holidays on the Cello,” “Valentine’s Day and Songs of LOVE,” and “America: Songs of Patriotism, Protest, and Praise.” Each program additionally comes with historical narrations that allow each attendee to journey through history and harmony. Combined with his lectures, Alex averages approximately 140 bookings each year.
To book a musical performance, lecture, or ask a question, please contact me here:
In May 2023, my work as an author and musician, alongside my diagnosis with autism spectrum disorder and synesthesia, were featured by the Hudson Valley’s own Anderson Center for Autism! To listen, please click here.
A few of my recent and favorite musical selections/performances:
Check here for my two video-podcast series:
For my longer podcast series, “A Walk Through Woodbury,” click here.
Here is some information on my history lectures:
For more material on my work as a historian:
Orange County Milk Bottle Museum.
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Hello. I'm Alex. 