Composer

Raised in Tauranga, Andrea played keyboards in a variety of bands throughout Australasia then completed a Bachelor of Music in composition at Victoria University of Wellington. While living in Wisconsin, Andrea co-wrote the album Old Carmylie with Scott McCutcheon. Having returned to New Zealand, Andrea studied jazz piano with Charmaine Ford, sparking her love of jazz.

Andrea played in the ‘Capital City Big Band’ for a number of years then in 2017 began leading the 9-piece Wellington jazz band ‘Duke Wellington’, playing keyboards and arranging over 40 songs and instrumentals. Andrea is a music teacher and song leader, living and working in Wellington with her family. She is the accompanist for the Wellington Community Choir, teaches flute and piano, and leads the Khandallah Singers. She enjoys composing and arranging songs for both choirs. In 2001 Andrea co-wrote the children’s musical Miriam with Richard Smith and students before they decided to collaborate again to write Labrats.