Biography

Andrew was born in Surrey in 1966, and grew up in Bedford from the age of 6.

As a young child his talent for music was recognised early, and he was awarded a music scholarship to Oakham School when he was 11. In his teens he transferred to Bedford Modern School and also gained a scholarship to study as a Junior Exhibitioner at the Guildhall School of Music in London.

By the age of 15 he already had achieved a “distinction” in Grade 8 piano, Grade 8 flute and Grade 8 music theory examinations. He made his concerto debut performing the Schumann aged 17, by which time he had also played solo piano music by Liszt on BBC Chiltern Radio.

Having gained grade A in Music A’Level, Andrew then studied music at the University of Birmingham, where he gained his honours B.Mus degree and won the University’s esteemed Roland Gregory Music Prize.

As a postgraduate he continued his professional training at the Royal College of Music, London, where he gained his ARCM diploma and won the Raymond Russell Harpsichord Prize in 1988.

During his years of study Andrew learnt with some of the most distinguished teachers in the UK, including:
Ian Lake, Frank Wibaut and Joseph Weingarten (piano)
David Ponsford and Robert Wooley (harpsichord)
Nicholas Danby (organ).

After graduating with a Certificate of Advanced Study from the Royal College of Music, Andrew worked for four years for EMI Classics, dealing with classical artist contracts and compilation recordings.

Having taught music in his spare time since he was 16, Andrew launched his teaching career full time in the early 1990s. Within months he was approached by the Milton Keynes Music Service. As the Head of Keyboard he developed and led a growing team of piano and keyboard teachers and over the following years contributed much to the reputation and growth of the Music Service. His work was featured three times in the national press, including his acheivements in developong electronic keyboard ensembles, and his efforts with Jenny Brown to take young players from Milton Keynes on the first student exchange visit to the Mansek School of Music, Ghana.

In 2005 Andrew left the Music Service to concentrate exclusively on his highly successful private practice, composing and consultancy work. Andrew's teaching practice remains based in Milton Keynes, where he also continues to work in a number of schools and runs the Keyquest Club.
As well as an accomplished classical pianist, Andrew is well known for his Keyquest tuition books, which have sold thousands of copies throughout the UK and beyond.

He also devised Keyband, an exciting electronic keyboard ensemble which was featured in the Guardian newspaper and Music Teacher magazine. He has written widely including articles and reviews of music equipment for magazines, and contributed to the ABRSM publications "Raising an Amazing Musician" and “All Together – teaching music in groups”. Several of his compositions have also been published by the ABRSM.

He is well known at a national level, having worked as a consultant for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), Trinity Guildhall examinations, The National Association of Music Educators, The Federation of Music Services and others. He has spoken at national conferences and local events, passing on his experience and training other teachers.

Andrew is a full member of the Incorporated Society of Musicians. He has a full CRB enhanced disclosure (renewed 2008).

Andrew is married to Louise, and they have two children, Jonathan (16) and Ruth (14). They live in Heelands, Milton Keynes.