Alexander Hersh has won the 2022 Pro Musicis International Award, a prize that has previously been enjoyed by artists such as Kim Kashkashian, Joseph Lin, Yura Lee, Jeffrey Kahane, Sharon Robinson, Carmit Zori, Shauna Rolston and Peter Oundjian.

Hersh will enjoy a prize package of performance opportunities as well as professional development. This includes a debut recital in Carnegie Hall’s Weill Hall, a $4,000 grant for social outreach project, recording sessions courtesy of Yamaha Artist Services New York, professional consultation services and membership of the Pro Musicis artists family.

The $4000 grant comes under the name of the Father Eugène Merlet Community Service Grant. Hersh plans to use this grant to develop his social outreach project Haydn’s Favorite Pizza, a series of free interactive chamber music concerts for underserved communities in Chicago.

The concerts will be launched in partnership with existing music schools and will offer children and their families a chance to learn about chamber music while also enjoying a meal. Each concert will feature a complete Haydn String Quartet as well other works performed by Hersh and fellow musicians from NEXUS Chamber Music, of which Hersh is co-artistic director.

Hersh was awarded the prize by the jury consisting of Gil Kalish, Carter Brey, Tim Eddy, Joel Krosnick, Marcy Rosen, Carmit Zori and Paul Wiancko.