Born in Los Angeles, Andrew started playing piano at age five and by age thirteen, he was studying the viola as well. He played in Lindero Canyon Middle School’s string orchestra, the Conejo Youth Symphony, and was awarded the opportunity to perform at the California Music Teacher's Association convention in Sacramento. In high school, Andrew started playing drums as a hobby but soon found it to be yet another instrument he was passionate about. He played in many bands of varying styles including rock, jazz, heavy metal, country, contemporary Christian, and African. Andrew has recorded records for various bands and three independent film soundtracks in addition to playing for U.S. troops on a USO tour.  At California State University, Northridge (CSUN), Andrew studied classical and world percussion. He was a member of the Wind Symphony, the Symphony Orchestra, and was appointed section leader of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble. Andrew received both his B.M. and a M.M. from CSUN and now he is studying to become a Doctor of Music at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music in Houston, Texas.  At Rice, Andrew has been a member of the Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Opera Orchestra and Percussion Ensemble as well as collaborating on faculty concerts and student composers’ concerts. He has taught for three years at Rice including The Fundamentals of Music, Aural Skills I and II, and both Music Theory and Ear Training for the Michael P. Hammond Preparatory Program. In addition, Andrew is the president and founder of the Rice African Music Ensemble where he teaches traditional African music, builds his own instruments and performs on campus and in the Houston community with groups like the Houston Brass Band, Houston Concert Band, the Houston Medical Center Orchestra and Mercury Baroque Orchestra.  Andrew has been teaching private lessons for fifteen years and has educated students ages five through seventy-five. He teaches drums, percussion, piano, violin and viola in all styles including classical, jazz, world and popular music. Andrew has a strong background in music theory, aural skills and improvisation, and tries to include all aspects of music into his lessons. Andrew is very familiar with many teaching methods and can adapt his teaching style to suit any student.