ANDREW ROBINSON

Andrew Robinson is a private voice instructor, music educator, choir director, church musician, composer/arranger, actor/acting coach, and performer  He spent ten years as a public school general music and choir director at schools in Ohio, Iowa, and Indiana, instructing students in grades K-12.  In addition, he taught at Valparaiso University (IN).  Ensembles under his direction performed in Carnegie Hall, Orchestra Hall, and Disneyland, and sang at Valparaiso University, a Minnesota Twins baseball game, and the 2020 Indiana Music Education Association Professional Development Conference,  His choirs consistently earned top ratings at regional and state competitions.  Students under his direction have earned spots in regional, state, national, and international honor choirs, performing in Florida, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, New York, Wisconsin, Australia, and Austria.  Former students have studied or are studying vocal performance and musical theatre - some on full scholarships - at institutions such as Indiana University, the University of Michigan, Butler University, Long Island University, Millikin University, Ball State University, and Vanguard University.
Andrew has theatrical experience as an actor, Music Director, Director, Technical Director, and Stage Manager in nearly 20 shows, including straight plays, musicals, and opera.  While in college, he competed for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship three out of four years.
Andrew has garnered numerous awards as a musician and composer/arranger.   His works have been performed at four state music education conferences, and he received First Prize at a national composition competition in Washington, DC.  He has fulfilled commissions from schools, churches, and community choirs throughout the Midwest, and is available to commission new works (please contact arobinsonmusic11@gmail.com).
As a conductor, Andrew has led and prepared school, church, amateur, and semi-professional ensembles.  He was Chorus Master for the world premiere of "Symphony No. 5: Return to Middle Earth" by Johan de Meij.
In addition, Andrew has planned and organized music events throughout Indiana and served in leadership roles in many musical settings.  In October 2019, he organized the  Northwest Indiana High School Choral Festival, which featured nine regional high school choirs, the Valparaiso University Chorale, and a 400+ singer mass choir.  He is Chair of the Indiana All-State Handbell Choir, which brings together 9th-12th grade ringers from all across the state.
Andrew continues to perform professionally - currently singing in the Chamber Singers of Iowa City and Vocal Artists of Iowa - and continues to solo with many choral ensembles on works by Mozart, Stravinsky, and more. He recently performed with The Bach Choir in Valparaiso, IN; as Abel Frake in "State Fair;" and as the bass soloist for two performances of G.F. Handel's "Messiah: Part 1."  He is trained in classical, opera, choral, musical theatre, and jazz idioms.
Besides singing, Andrew is a pianist, organist, handbell ringer and ensemble conductor, and brass specialist.  He privately studied voice (teachers David Price, Ralph Klapis, and Cathy McCord Larsen), piano (Brenda Westbeld), and organ (Anne Saylor and Dr. Paula Maust) and continues to play piano and organ regularly.  He served multiple churches in traditional and contemporary music roles.  He accompanies soloists and ensembles for local schools.
Andrew's professional achievements have been recognized through several awards, including: induction in Marquis Who's Who in America (2022), the Excellence in Teaching Award through the Valparaiso University Interfraternity Council (2021), the First Decade Alumni Achievement Award from the Valparaiso University Alumni Association (2020), and induction as a Sigma Alpha Iota national Friend of the Arts (2019).
Andrew is a second-year student in the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Choral Conducting and Pedagogy program at the University of Iowa.  Previously, he received his Bachelor of Arts summa cum laude in Vocal Performance, with a minor in Theatre, from Valparaiso University, where he was a Founders Scholar and Christ College Scholar.  He earned the Master of Music Teaching Degree in choral/vocal music education from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music.  While there, he received the Herbert Henke Scholarship in Music Education, Conservatory Dean's Scholarship, and, as one of six people nationally, a Scholarship for Graduate Study from Gamma Sigma Alpha.  He is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, Handbell Musicians of America, Indiana Choral Directors Association, Indiana Music Education Association, International Federation for Choral Music, Iowa Music Education Association, NAfME: The National Association for Music Education, National Collegiate Choral Organization, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and Pi Kappa Lamda music honor society.