Vermont Symphony Orchestra

Kathy Andrew

Where were you born and (if different) where did you grow up? Born in Buffalo, NY; grew up in Los Alamos, NM

Current residence and marital status/family: Long-term partnership with Thomas Scheidegger, but he lives in Lebanon, NH and I live in Brattleboro, VT. Currently no pets (longtime cat owner….it will happen again, I’m quite sure).

Education: BFA from University of New Mexico; MM from Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University

When did you start playing with the VSO? 1990

Other current jobs besides VSO: Springfield Symphony Orchestra (MA); Opera North (NH); Burlington Chamber Orchestra (VT); private teaching studio in Lebanon, NH; teach at the Brattleboro Music Center; freelancer (whatever/wherever/whenever/ with whomever)

Favorite composer: Whoever I am currently playing usually becomes a favorite composer, with an unending and ever-growing love for Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms. Mendelssohn is also up there for me.

How did you get started in music? Public school music program. And at age 3 I was started on piano by my mom, the piano teacher.

Describe a typical day: Too much computer time, not enough practice, way too much driving.

Dream job if not musician: Travel companion to someone really fun and adventurous.

People would be surprised to know that: I’m painfully shy.

Best advice I ever got: Don’t give up.

Favorite way to spend an evening: laughing

Pet peeve: That health care is a “for-profit” business. That thinly veiled atrocities and blatant transgressions have become acceptable. That “it shouldn’t be that way” makes no difference.