Gabriel Andrews

Introduction: Gabriel Andrews is an Australian guitarist, taking first prize in the 2014 Wilson Centre International Guitar Competition (Milwaukee, USA), and opening for Canadian Guitarist Jesse Cook in the evening showcase. He relocated to the United States in 2013 where he completed a Master of Music at the Peck School of the Arts (PSOA), University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (UWM), working as a teaching assistant in The Bachelor of Music program. In 2015 his composition “Here & Now” was a semifinalist in the ISC (International Songwriting Contest) instrumental category and he was second runner up in the Kentucky International Home of the Legends Thumb-picking Championship. In August 2013, Gabriel worked with Italian guitar virtuoso Pino Forastiere as part of his masters program, subsequently travelling to Tivoli (It.) to study with Forastiere in December of the same year. In addition to UWM workshops, presented by leading guitarists Clive Carroll (Eng.), Billy McLaughlan (USA), and Lucas Michailidis (Aus.), Gabriel has thrived under the principal tutelage and learning philosophy of Professor John Stropes, receiving a Chancellor’s Scholarship and Distinguished Graduate Fellowship nomination from the PSOA in his first year He released his first solo album Pathways at the Blue Mountains Music Festival in Sydney, Australia (2013) before leaving to undertake the MM at UWM. In May 2014, he launched Pathways in the US, performing at the Zelazo Centre for the Performing Arts (Milwaukee), promoted by WMSE Milwaukee, Taurus Arts Management, Hausch Design, and the Hudson Business Lounge. Gabriel graduated in 2008, with honors, from the Conservatorium of Music, University of Melbourne, Australia. Studying under the internationally acclaimed Australian guitarist, Lucas Michailidis, Gabriel was the first contemporary guitarist to enter the Conservatorium’s elite performance stream. To this dedicated musician who strives to learn and develop every day, composing and performing are a way of life. With his love of reflection combined with a passion for living, Gabriel hopes his music transcends just the notes, to express deep emotion, and encourage in listeners self-reflection and a desire to live a fulfilling life. As both a performer and teacher Gabriel is passionate about what he does. Finding the balance between consummate professionalism, virtuosity, and entertainment, as a performer there is none like him. Carried through into his lessons where he creates individual plans for students of all ages and abilities to encourage and nurture there own journey on the instrument.