Singularly devoted to challenging and redefining flute repertoire, Sasha Ishov is a versatile flutist, educator, and researcher dedicated to fostering connections across musical communities and advancing the art of flute playing. Praised for his “well-sounded and lucid” artistry (The San Diego Union-Tribune), his work spans old and new solo and chamber repertoire, experimental electroacoustic projects, and programming that highlights the flute’s expressive range and contemporary relevance.
Sasha thrives across diverse performance settings. He co-leads Offscreen, a flute-percussion duo with Michael Jones exploring the intersections of traditional instruments and technology. He has appeared as a substitute musician with the San Diego Symphony, performed with the Ojai Festival Orchestra, featured as a member of the NYO-USA All-Stars, and was a fellow with the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble. His versatility extends to national and international stages, including performances at the National Flute Association, Institute for Electronic Music and Acoustics in Graz, BBC Proms, June in Buffalo, and Neofonía–Festival de Música Nueva de Ensenada, among others.
Sasha’s performance repertoire celebrates the flute’s extraordinary range, uplifting works by composers including Kaija Saariaho, Javier Álvarez, Morton Feldman, and Alvin Singleton. He has premiered over 100 works, collaborating with composers including Augusta Read Thomas, John Luther Adams, Matthew Aucoin, and Anthony Davis. His collaborations span a wide range of aesthetics, with performances alongside Irvine Arditti, Miranda Cuckston, Renée Fleming, Anthony McGill, JACK Quartet, Ensemble Signal, and Steven Schick. Sasha’s piccolo playing, featured on Wilfrido Terrazas’s The Torres Cycle–recognized on Bandcamp’s “Best Contemporary Classical” list– underscores his artistry as a multi-flutist.
Sasha’s research integrates performance, technology, and pedagogy. Together with Theocharis Papatrechas, he co-created PrismaSonus, examining how technology shapes the perception of flute technique and mediates performer-composer communication. He has presented his research at institutions including Harvard University and the Qualcomm Institute. As an educator, Sasha teaches flute and music theory as a college lecturer, incorporating Alexander Technique and Body Mapping into his work to promote healthy and sustainable musicianship.
Sasha holds degrees from UC San Diego, Eastman School of Music, and Interlochen Arts Academy. A Miyazawa Emerging Artist, he performs on Miyazawa, Powell, Altus, and Di Zhao flutes.