By: Kevin Modeszto | Publish Date: November 9, 2026
For many people, the middle of high school was a time for driver’s licenses, first jobs, the first leadership role in a club, and potentially a first serious relationship and consideration for college. But for Kean professor and General Education Studies and Music Coordinator Alexander Bui, this was his time on one of the biggest stages of the country.
In high school, Bui was browsing on YouTube and saw an advertisement to submit a video to America’s Got Talent. Bui, who had been playing piano since his mother introduced it to him at the age of four, submitted a video on a whim. Two weeks later, the show contacted him, expressing their interest.
After passing through all the rounds of auditions, which included a fan vote, an in-person audition in Los Angeles, and a live stream on YouTube, Bui was selected for the fifth season of AGT.
“It was very nerve-wracking knowing that so many people were watching me on camera,” Bui said. “I was actually on a pedestal (since) they put me on a circular pedestal with big grand piano, seven feet long, and I was literally shaking while I was playing.”
Ultimately, the 16-year-old Bui would advance to the semi-finals. The experience allowed Bui to meet people from all around the world. He mentioned 10-year-old opera singer and runner-up Jackie Evancho and pizza dough juggler “Pizza Pat” as his favorite people he met on the show.
“I got buzzed, I think, for every round I played by a different judge,” Bui said, “Piers (Morgan) was (very, very) supportive of me and always argumentative for why the piano performance I provided was so special to the show.”
Despite the thrills of appearing on a show as big as AGT, the concept of appearing on a similar show would not be the first option for Bui. Rather, he would want to appear on a show devoted to education.
“There’s never been a show where there’s music education, or any type of education, to entertain the audience in a way,” Bui said. “There’s always shows about special talents and there needs to be something new. I think there are opportunities for whoever wants to create that type of show.”
“You get participants from the audience, teach something on stage, and how successful you are with students is your score. It could be science versus music, literature versus philosophy.”
Education
The show concept Bui gave is a perfect example of where he is currently. His experience with AGT cemented the fact that he wanted a career in music. Bui obtained his B.A. and M.A. degrees in Music Classical Piano from the Manhattan School of Music in 2018, followed by his PhD in Musical Arts Classic Piano from Rutgers in 2022.
During his doctorate, Bui realized that his calling was to share his passion for classical music via teaching.
“I think my responsibility as a music educator is to help people enjoy classical music because there’s so much deep meaning within classical music, just like poetry. When you read poetry, you’re not going to completely understand it right away,” Bui said.
“We live in a day and age with short attention spans,” he continued. “We just want things fast to come to us, but what you don’t realize is when you work hard for something, you do need patience and discipline.”
This was exemplified to Bui during his Master’s Recital. For this recital, Bui had to play nearly an hour and a half of classical music from pure memory. To prepare for it, he had been practicing five hours a day. When he played for his piano professor Olga Kern (A gold medalist in the world-renouned 2001 Van Cilburn International Piano Champion), she told him he needed to practice for eight.
Two weeks later, Kern instantly noticed the difference that the extra hours of practicing made.
“(Playing) all these heavy, heavy works surrounded by people who know what they’re listening to is pretty scary, but (it was) a big accomplishment once I finished it,” Bui said.
One of the pieces he played was by his mentor, Edward Nelson. Nelson took Bui under his wing, serving as his piano teacher and mentor throughout his entire musical career until the present day. Whenever Bui is unsure of what to do, he goes to Nelson for advice. Nelson then tells him that ‘what I’m telling you is what I’m suggesting to you, not telling you what to do exactly.’
“Nelson has always been my light and savior in music,” Bui said. “Without him, I would not have a musical career right now.”
Bui’s Time at Kean
Like many Kean students, Bui is a first generation American as his parents immigrated from Vietnam. Bui had the full support of his parents behind his education and music career. While Bui was not a first-gen college student, he was the first to finish college. His mother was forced to drop out for financial reasons.
“(My parents) sacrificed so much to provide for me that I owe me life to them,” Bui said, “there’s nothing that I can do that is going to match their sacrifice for me.”
While, according to Bui, many Asian families want their children to be doctors and lawyers, he had the support of his parents to pursue music.
“I’m very happy I chose (this path of music) because I’m able to provide such an influence on the younger generation,” Bui said. “I believe money is not the source of happiness. It is great if you have it, but helping students is something money can’t buy.”
As the General Education Coordinator, Bui has consistently taught general education music classes to non-music majors. In real time, Bui has witnessed students go from having zero knowledge of music outside of listening to it to singing or playing scales within a month. The happiness these students feel performing in front of their peers is a highlight for Bui.
Two of Bui’s students, Juliana Adams and Juan Godoy, both agreed that Bui made their Kean experience better.
“I find him (to be) a really warm person,” Godoy said. “He’s really close to the students…I would have conversations with him outside of class and just ask him questions regarding history and composers.”
Godoy, as a fellow pianist, has gone to Bui for advice on his performances and future career path the way Bui does with Nelson.
Adams, who interned under Bui, learned strategies in teaching piano from him. Additionally, she observed him in church services where he led a congregation in music.
“His welcoming and supportive nature made the experience not only educational but also allowed me to connect with the people and environment there,” Adams said. “Being a music educator means not only providing knowledge, but simultaneously making others feel connected.”
Adams also revealed that Bui runs his Music History I classes with an emphasis on discussion and participation, truly allowing for connection. Godoy agreed with this outcome via a memory he shared of the class.
When Bui was teaching about different voice works, which people used before instruments, he burst into a song about wild animals. The humor of the moment engaged the class and truly showed them the difference in styles.
One student even switched their major to music because of their experience with Bui.
“I’m so thankful to be here to teach wonderful Kean students, both music and non-music majors,” Bui said.
Bui still performs at piano recitals. On October 27, he played piano at Kean’s Faculty Showcase. To see him play virtually, visit his YouTube channel.
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