Andrew was born and raised in Oceanside and attended elementary, junior high, and high school in the Oceanside Unified School District. Andy’s passion for music was nurtured by his outstanding music educators, most notably Richard Langen at Jefferson Junior High School and Robert Halseth at Oceanside High School. Their talent and passion greatly influenced his path to become a music educator. Andrew was the Drum Major of the Pirate Marching Band and News Editor of the Driftwood newspaper. Andrew earned his bachelor's degree in Music Education from California State University, Long Beach, and a master's degree in Conducting from the American Band College of Southern Oregon University. Andrew taught Instrumental Music in the El Monte Union High School and Capistrano Unified School District for 37 years. As a music educator, Andrew enjoyed great success with his student ensembles consistently earning the highest awards and ratings at district and regional music festivals. His Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra performed at International Music Festivals at Carnegie Hall and the Chicago Symphony Center where they earned gold plaque awards. Andrew’s music program at Tesoro High School in Rancho Santa Margarita was recognized as a Grammy Signature School in 2015, designating it as one of the top five music programs in the nation. Andrew served on the board of the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association. He was recognized as the Orange County Instrumental Music Educator of the Year in 2000 and was selected to conduct the All-Southern California Middle School Honor Band in 2019.