*Now Playing: “Chant” by John Tavener
About/Bio
Described as a musician that “plays with every fiber of his being” (violist John Ziarko), someone who “becomes the music” (cellist Hyun-Ji Kwon), and “not a cellist, but an artist” (composer Reiko Fueting), Alan Hlozek began his musical journey at the age of seven in Cambridge, MA. In 2006, after first visiting the Longy School of Music’s “Instrument Petting Zoo”, Alan originally wanted to play the double-bass, but compromised on the cello. Since then, his private instructors have included: Lynn Knowles, Michael Bonner, Rhonda Rider (Boston Conservatory at Berklee), and Fred Sherry (Manhattan School of Music).
After graduating from high-school in 2017, Alan enrolled at Boston Conservatory at Berklee to pursue a Bachelor of Music degree in Cello Performance, with receipt of a “Boston Conservatory Merit Scholarship”. After graduating in 2021 (cum laude), he then pursued graduate studies at the Manhattan School of Music, enrolling in the Contemporary Performance Program with the support of a Presidential Scholarship award. Upon his completion of this Masters degree in 2023 (summa cum laude), he was the recipient of the Jan Williams Award for Composition/Contemporary Performance Collaboration.
As soloist, Alan was invited to play with NEC’s Baroque Chamber Orchestra—Leonardo Leo’s Cello Concerto (in 2015), Nicola Porpora’s Cello Concerto in G Major and Antonio Vivaldi’s Concerto for Two Cellos in G Minor (both in 2016). Additionally, in 2019, Alan earned the opportunity to perform as soloist with Boston Conservatory’s “The Spectrum Project” orchestra for David Heath’s composition: “Out of the Cool”.
Furthermore, Alan has been a participant in various regional competitions, such as the MMEA (Massachusetts Music Educators’ Association) Eastern District’s Symphony Orchestra (2013-14), the Arlington (MA) Philharmonic Society’s Concerto Competition (3rd place, 2015), The Williams Chorale Bacardi Fallon Performing Arts scholarship competition (3rd place, 2016), and was acknowledged as “runner-up” for both the Concord (MA) Orchestra’s Young Performers Competition and the Waltham (MA) Philharmonic Orchestra’s Concerto Competition.
Alan has performed in both large and small ensembles at various workshops and festivals in the Massachusetts area, including: Longy School of Music’s Young Performers Program (2011-13), New England Conservatory’s pre-college program (2013-17), Boston University Tanglewood Institute (2016), Le Domaine Forget (2017), Killington Music Festival (2017-18), Harvard Music Festival (2018), and Atlantic Music Festival (2021). A graduate of Somerville High School, Mr. Hlozek performed with the school’s orchestral ensemble for two years, and as collaborator for various local outreach events coordinated by the school.
Alan plays on a fine instrument crafted by the late Daniel Foster; “1985, No. 6”. However, if he is playing a composition that incorporates use of a scordatura (non-standard tuning), he will play on his Stradivarius Copy Cello, “2012, No. 56”, made expressly for, set-up, and adjusted by Leslie C. Moye. Additionally, Alan owns a “campanula-cello”, invented by German luthier Helmut Bleffert (similar to a normal cello, with the addition of 32 diatonically-tuned resonating strings), as well as a cello that he has set-up with gut strings for Baroque-style playing.
In addition to being a performer, Alan also enjoys composing. His interest began in 2013, thanks to Rodney Lister’s composition seminar at New England Conservatory’s pre-college program. When not absolutely subsumed with his musical endeavors, Alan can be found researching and involving himself in various forms of alternative/esoteric spiritual practices and traditions.