Alexander Read holds the position of Principal Second Violin with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal. A member of the OSM since 2013, he completed his studies at McGill University and the Yale School of Music. He was a semi-finalist in both the Michael Hill International Violin Competition and the Boris Goldstein International Violin Competition, a finalist in the Stepping Stone of the Canada Music Competition, and won Second Prize at the Eckhardt-Gramatté Competition. He also won the Broadus Erle Award from Yale University, the McGill Concerto Competition, and the McGill Classical Concerto Competition, and was awarded the Salsinger Tani Gold Medal in performance from McGill University.In addition to his orchestral career, Alexander teaches at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal and McGill University.

The first time he played in a full symphony orchestra was with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada in 2003. He even remembers performing Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2 there—an experience that inspired him to pursue a career in music. Another key factor was the joy of playing chamber music with his friends!