Alexander Zemtsov studied with Elena Ozol at the Gnessin School, Moscow, with Michael Kugel at the Hoogeschool, Maastricht and at the Hanns Eisler Hochschule, Berlin with Tabea Zimmermann. Since the age of 15 he has enjoyed a career as a viola soloist, with appearances in Europe, the United States, Asia and Australia in collaboration with leading orchestras and conductors. A prizewinner of various competitions, he was appointed principal viola of the London Philharmonic Orchestra at the age of 23, leaving that position after 10 years to concentrate on his career as chamber musician and conductor. His recordings include Britten’s Double Concerto with the LPO, Mozart’s String Trios, and Fauré’s Piano Quartets. He has taught viola at the GSMD in London, the MUK in Vienna and since 2015 he has been a professor at the HEMU in Lausanne and HfMT in Cologne. He was recently appointed principal conductor of the INSO Lemberg. Upcoming guest conducting engagements include concerts with the BNRSO, Sofia and Mischa Maisky as soloist, Rijeka Opera and the Mannheim Chamber Orchestra.