Born and raised in Southern Germany, Andreas started his musical education at the age of five, learning to play the piano and later mandolin, guitar and drums. Being a drummer and pianist in several school big bands and orchestras throughout high school, it was clear to him that he'd audition to get into a Music University. So, after taking up voice lessons, learning how to play the marimba and vibraphone and serving his country as a toad escort (no kidding!) for about one year, he made it into the music education program as a classical percussion major. For the next eight years Andreas studied at the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik in Trossingen, Germany (the hometown of the harmonica brand HOHNER). He finished his music ed studies, not only as a percussion major but also as a classical voice major and earned himself an additional degree in vocal jazz performance.

 

Besides his studies Andreas played and sang in endless bands, ensembles and orchestras of all kinds of music, from progressive rock to classical oratorium, and from jazz to percussion comedy (a concept eventually copied by the Blue Man Group). Over the years he also successfully established himself as a musical theatre actor, performing most recently in the critically acclaimed "Hohner - The Musical". In 2003, Andreas spent one year as an exchange student at Cal State Northridge where he was recruited for the a capella ensemble DOWN 4 THE COUNT on the first day of school. Just a few months later this group finished second place at the L.A. regionals of the Harmony Sweepstakes A Capella Festival.

 

Andreas arranges quite a lot of music for all kinds of genres including percussion music, Piazolla-ish tango, jazz (combo and Big Band), Funk and Pop for his 15-piece cover band L.A.T. and stage music for his theatre company RIFIFI (piano, jazz trio, choir, chamber orchestra). For about two years he also coached and arranged songs for the women's a capella group HOSPITAL HARMONISTS.

 

Andreas spent literally one whole year going through the almost endless process of immigrating to this country and finally earning himself the Green Card (which isn't even green!!!). Back in L.A., he is trying to continue his career as musician and actor, hoping to find the opportunities to show his various talents. So far, he teaches voice lessons at Premier Music, he rejoined DOWN 4 THE COUNT (check out their myspace profile), he plays piano for the SMC Jazz Singers and landed himself a voice over gig in German (one of the three languages he speaks fluently). Let's see what else there is to come...

Andreas currently teaches Voice, Drumset and Percussion at Premier Music on Wednesdays and Saturdays...call 714-744-8100 or email premiermusic@sbcglobal.net for available lesson time!