​Based out of Baltimore, Maryland, Alexandre Abdoulaev is a pianist and musicologist studying the role of jazz in the development of early 20th-century social structures, with a focus on jazz dance at the Savoy Ballroom in New York City. He is currently pursuing several publication projects including a monograph on the social, musical and ethnic history of the Savoy Ballroom, and a collection of papers about the American jazz clarinetist Artie Shaw. Dr. Abdoulaev has previously given papers on Stephen Sondheim at conferences at Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts, and the Rose Bruford College in London, UK. Alex has previously taught at Emmanuel College in Boston, Massachusetts, Lasell College in Newton, Massachusetts, and served as part-time faculty at the National Opera in Washington, D.C.

In addition to various academic interests Dr. Abdoulaev actively performs and is the artistic director of the Baltimore-based traditional jazz quintet the Summit Ridge Drive Hot Five. Originally beginning his piano studies in the Russian Federation, Alex has studied classical piano with Teofils Bikis, Radoslav Kvapil, Boaz Sharon and Thomas Mastroianni. He also pursued jazz piano studies with Lewis Porter, Michael Maher and Gordon Webster. Dr. Abdoulaev is presently teaching Music Appreciation and Fundamentals of Music History at University of Delaware.