Singing with Andrea W.

With a rich tone and intuitive feel, vocalist and composer Andrea W. is in high demand as both a soloist and sideman in New York City and Washington DC. Andrea is said to have “astonishing vocal range” that is “effective in conveying the emotions of a song” (Jazz Times Magazine). Andrea completed her Masters of Music at The Manhattan School of Music in 2013. Prior to MSM, Andrea received her Bachelors of Music in Jazz Studies from Michigan State University and attended the prestigious high school at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington D.C. where she majored in classical voice and piano. Andrea received her Masters of Music Education from Columbia Teacher's College in 2017. Andrea released her debut album “Dhyana” in 2011. She also sings for a French Gypsy-Jazz band, a neo-rock band, and a Nigerian afro-beat band led by former Femi Kuti drummer Tosin Aribisala. She has been featured on several albums including a recent recording with Bizzy Bone of Bone Thugs N’ Harmony. In addition to performing, Andrea is also a passionate educator. She has run her private voice and piano studio for 10 years and also teaches at The Larchmont Music Academy, Compass Arts, and Victoria Children's Group nursery in New York. In the fall of 2013, Andrea and her band traveled to Mumbai, India to serve as the inaugural faculty at the True School of Music for four months. Andrea served as Head of the Vocal Department. The faculty taught young adults age 17-21. *** Lesson Details *** I believe lessons should be fun and that the most important thing about music education is passing on and encouraging a love for music. Especially with young children, I am flexible and teach a broad range of musical skills to help keep the student interested and engaged. For both voice and piano study, I believe in finding your own sound and am willing to work with you on whatever musical style you are drawn to, but I am a big advocate of learning proper technique, regardless of the genre. Lessons will spend time working on both technique and repertoire. Students are encouraged to bring in music that they want to learn. If a student is not sure of what song or style he/she wants to work on, I have plenty of books to choose from. We'll discover what you love together! I look forward to making music with you! Andrea :) Voice: Ages 12 and up recommended. For younger students, we will do a more general music/singing lesson as the vocal chords are simply not fully developed yet. Piano: Ages 4 and up. For younger students (ages 4-10), I recommend 1/2 hour lessons. 45 minute lessons work well for ages 10-12. Full hour lessons are recommended for students age 12 and up *For lessons at home lessons (your home), a piano or keyboard (3 octaves at least) is required. I use it to accompany vocal students as well. *** My Home Studio Equipment *** upright piano amplifier and microphone recording equipment guitar bass percussion instruments: djembe (drum), shakers, guiro. *** Specialties *** General vocal technique Jazz vocals Musical Theater vocals R&B/Motown/Gospel vocals Brazilian vocals (Portuguese and English) Classical/choral vocals Classical piano Jazz piano (learning to read chord changes)