Chicago Piano by Andy

Andy studied piano at Oberlin Conservatory, then completed his B.M. in theory and composition from Northwestern University, and enjoys playing everything from Beethoven to Broadway. Andy is an experienced and responsive accompanist, reading scores or improvising according to the style.

Andy music-directed a Broadway revue touring Eastern Europe, sang with a barbershop chorus in Carnegie Hall, and has accompanied improv comedy shows sailing the Pacific. He began studying at age four, continuing through college and beyond. He has enjoyed incorporating music into previous professional work in public relations, arts management, and the clergy.

In his earliest years, Andy used to drive his family crazy when he would sing himself to sleep! He sang in and accompanied children's choirs regularly, then studied voice in high school in addition to accompanying other musicians and pit bands. Into adulthood, he began combining his piano and vocal skills at parties and other celebrations. This trend continued throughout his professional life and has of late become a primary focus of his professional activity.

Following his winning of a local songwriting competition in 8th grade, Andy went on to compose and arrange for his annual high school variety shows (conducting the pit orchestra senior year) and arranged for/conducted the annual musical theater showcase (which toured Eastern Europe under the aegis of Friendship Ambassadors). He wrote/produced radio ads and worked on the staff of a New York recording studio, and was always helping to turn people's raw compositional material into performable scores. He is once again functioning in this role for songwriters and theater composers.

Since his teenage years, Andy willingly composed parody songs for special celebrations to honor the birthdays or anniversaries of friends, family members and co-workers. This stemmed from his early admiration of performers like Alan Sherman, Tom Lehrer and Weird Al Yankovich who combined their musical skills with contemporary satire.

Andy enjoys teaching piano to children and adults, inspiring them to pursue a lifetime of musical enjoyment.

Andy has a keyboard, headset microphone, and speakers/sound system.