Born in Los Angeles, Andrew started playing piano at age five, and by age thirteen, he was studying the viola as well. He played in Lindero Canyon Middle School’s string orchestra, the Conejo Youth Symphony, and performed at the California Music Teacher's Association convention in Sacramento. In high school, Andrew started playing drums as a hobby, but soon found another passion. He played in many bands of varying styles including rock, jazz, heavy metal, country, contemporary Christian, and African. Andrew has recorded records for various bands and three independent film soundtracks in addition to playing internationally for U.S. troops on a USO tour.
At California State University, Northridge (CSUN), Andrew studied classical and world percussion. He was a member of the Wind Symphony, the Symphony Orchestra, and was section leader of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble. Andrew received both his B.M. and M.M. from CSUN, and recently completed his Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music in Houston, Texas.
While at Rice, Andrew was a member of the Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Opera Orchestra and Percussion Ensemble as well as collaborating on faculty concerts and student composers’ concerts. He taught for three years at Rice, including: The Fundamentals of Music, Aural Skills I and II, and for the Shepherd School's Michael P. Hammond Preparatory Program, he taught both Music Theory and Ear Training. In addition, Andrew is the president and founder of the Rice African Music Ensemble which involves teaching traditional African music, building his own instruments, and performing on campus and in the Houston community. Andrew with groups like the Houston Brass Band, Houston Concert Band, the Houston Medical Center Orchestra and Mercury Baroque Orchestra.
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Since earning his doctorate, Andrew has maintained his active performance and teaching career. He is principal timpanist with Opera in the Heights (operaintheheights.org), principal percussionist and contractor for Texas Medical Center Orchestra (tmcorchestra.org), and is also an active freelance musician in the Houston community. In addition to performing throughout Houston, Andrew taught percussion classes and lessons at ten schools in CCISD, in addition to online lessons across the country. Andrew is also a teaching artist with Young Audiences of Houston (yahouston.org), where he performs regularly for educational workshops and team-building events.
Andrew has been teaching private lessons for twenty-five years and has worked with students ages five through eighty-five. He teaches drums, percussion, piano, violin and viola in all styles including classical, jazz, world and popular music. Andrew has a strong background in music theory, aural skills and improvisation, and tries to include all aspects of music into his lessons. Andrew is very familiar with many teaching methods and can adapt his teaching style to suit any student. Dr. Keller started working with Harmony Public Schools in 2022 at HSI-Katy High School where he began programs in orchestra, piano and drumline. Last year, Dr. Keller moved to HSA-Katy PreK-3 and began the first Harmony Public Schools elementary school drumline.
Dr. Keller lives in Missouri City with his wife Nicole who is band director at Harmony School of Innovation, Sugar Land High School and Southwest District Music System Course Leader. Together they have a seven-year-old son named Robert who is starting second grade at HSA, Sugarland, who loves animals, puzzles, and swimming. Besides music and family, Dr. Keller enjoys baking, gardening and playing with his cats. For more information, please visit AndrewKellerMusic.com, KellerMarimbas.com.
Andrew Keller, DMA
akeller@harmonytx.org
drewdrummin@hotmail.com
AndrewKellerMusic.com
KellerMarimbas.com
Education_____________________________________________________________
D.M.A. Percussion, Rice University, Houston, TX Spring 2019
Dissertation: The Music of Language
Professional Project: Rice African Music Ensemble
Founder, Rice Jazz Trio
Instructors: Richard Brown, Matt Strauss, percussion, Richard Lavenda,
pedagogy, Kurt Stallmann, Janet Rarick, professional development
M.M. Percussion, California State University, Northridge (GPA 4.0) Spring 2011
Thesis: Kessner’s Sonata for Four Timpani: A Study
Instructors: John Roscigno, Aaron Smith, Raynor Carroll, Jim Babor,
Ken McGrath, percussion, Ric Alviso Zimbabwean mbira, John Magnussen,
jazz vibraphone, Jerry Steinholtz Cuban/Brazilian percussion, Naoko Takada,
marimba
B.M. Percussion, California State University, Northridge Fall 2007
Instructors: John Magnussen, Aaron Smith, percussion, Ric Alviso,
Zimbabwean mbira
Honors/Awards
Sviatoslav Richter Grant for Community Outreach Spring 2015
Light and Salt Association Charity Concert Award Feb 22, 2014
Sviatoslav Richter Grant for Community Outreach Spring 2014
Fredric J. Attermeier Endowed Scholarship in Percussion 2013-2014
Clarence Jefferson Prim Prize in Percussion 2012-2013
Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society 2011-2014
Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honors Society 2011-2014
Outstanding Student: CSUN Symphony 2011
Outstanding Student: CSUN Wind Ensemble 2007
Masterclasses Attended
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra: Chamber Musicianship, Houston, TX Spring 2014
Clark Terrell: Performance Anxiety, Houston, TX Spring 2014
Christopher French: Interpreting Bach, Houston, TX Spring 2014
Kenneth Goldsmith: Interpreting Bach, Houston, TX Fall 2013
Orchestral Musician Health and Wellness, Houston, TX Spring 2013
James Dunham: Ensemble Musicianship, Houston, TX Spring 2013
Matt Strauss: Mahler, Houston, TX Nov 1, 2012
Todd Meehan/Doug Perkins: Ensemble Musicianship, Houston, TX Jan 22, 2012
Brian Del Signore: Auditions, Waveform Analysis, Northridge, CA Mar 1, 2012
Ji Hye Jung: Marimba, Houston, TX Oct 20, 2011
Matt Strauss: Auditioning, Excerpts, Houston, TX Oct 20, 2011
Jim Babor: Orchestral Excerpts, Northridge, CA Feb 2, 2011
Naoko Takada: Marimba, Northridge, CA Jan 25, 2011
Nick Petrella: Cymbals, PASIC, Indianapolis, IN Nov 11, 2009
Ronnie Daliyo: African Drumming, Zimfest, Boulder, CO Jun 28, 2009
Jaiaen Beck: Hosho, Zimfest, Boulder, CO Jun 28, 2009
Mbira dzeMuninga: Hosho and Mbira, Zimfest, Boulder, CO Jun 27, 2009
Nathan Beck: Mbira, Zimfest, Boulder, CO Jun 27, 2009
Kurai Blessing Mubaiwa: Mbira, Zimfest, Boulder, CO Jun 26, 2009
Teaching Experience______________________________________________________
College Courses
African Music Ensemble, COLL 211, Rice University, Houston, TX Fall 2014
Fundamentals of Music, MUSI 117, Rice University, Houston, TX 2013-2014
Aural Skills II, MUSI 232, Rice University, Houston, TX Spring 2013
Aural Skills I, MUSI 231, Rice University, Houston, TX Fall 2012
Michael P. Hammond Preparatory Program
Music Theory and Aural Skills, Rice University, Houston, TX Fall 2014-Spring 2015
Young Audiences of Houston
Artist Residency, J.R. Reynolds Elementary, Houston, TX Fall 2014-Spring 2015
Lectures
African Music and Religion with Dr. Elias Bongmba, Houston, TX Spring 2014
African Music and Steve Reich, HSPVA, Houston, TX Spring 2014
Jazz Improvisation, Walking a Bass-line, Houston, TX Fall 2014
Percussion Masterclass, Colina Middle School, Thous. Oaks, CA Jun 1, 2010
Assistantships/Tutoring
Jazz Improvisation, Rice University, Houston, TX Spring 2012
General Percussion Studies Assistant, Rice University, Houston, TX Fall 2011-Spring 2014
Percussion Literature Assistant, Cal. State University, Northridge Fall 2010
Aural Skills, Harmony Tutoring, Cal. State University, Northridge 2005-2011
Ensembles
African Drumming, Marimba, Mbira, Rice University, Houston, TX Fall 2013-Spring 2014
Jazz Combo, Improvisation, Rice University, Houston, TX Fall 2013-Spring 2014
Percussion Ensemble Assistant, Rice University, Houston, TX Fall 2011-Spring 2014
Concert Band Volunteer, Harmony High School, Sugarland, TX Spring 2012-
African, Cuban Percussion, St. Stephen’s Church, Houston, TX Spring 2013
Percussion Ensemble Assistant, Cal. State University, Northridge Spring 2011
Private Instruction
Clear Lake Intermediate, Houston, TX 2014-2015
Westbrook Intermediate, Houston, TX 2015
League City Intermediate, Houston, TX 2015
Space Center Intermediate, Houston, TX 2015
Self-employed in Houston, TX: piano, violin, viola, percussion 2011-2014
Musika, Houston, TX: piano, violin, viola, percussion 2011-2014
In Home Music Lessons, Houston, TX: piano, violin, viola, percussion 2011-2014
Cypress Falls High School, Cypress, TX: piano, violin, viola, percussion Spring 2012
Self-employed in Los Angeles, CA: piano, violin, viola, percussion 2001-2011
Music School to Go (Los Angeles, CA): piano, violin, viola, percussion 2006-2011
Agoura Music, Agoura Hills, CA: piano, violin, viola, percussion 2003-2006
PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE__________________________________________
Orchestra & Wind Ensemble
Texas Medical Center Orchestra, Houston, TX May 9, 2015
Mercury Baroque Orchestra Annual Gala Mar 27, 2015
Texas Medical Center Orchestra, Houston, TX Mar 1, 2015
HSPVA Wind Ensemble, Houston, TX Dec 4, 2014
Rice University 101st Commencement Ceremony, Houston, TX May 16, 2014
Houston Concert Band, Holiday Concert, percussion, Houston, TX Dec 8, 2013
Presidential Concert 100th Commencement, Rice University, Houston, TX May 10, 2013
Texas Medical Center Orchestra, Houston, TX Nov 18, 2012
Houston Brass Band, Festival Concert, percussion, Round Top, TX Jan 28, 2012
HSSH Concert Band Volunteer, Sugarland, TX Fall 2012-
Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra, timpani, percussion, Houston, TX Fall 2011-
Shepherd School Chamber Orchestra, timpani, percussion, Houston, TX Fall 2011-
Clarinetfest CSUN Wind Ensemble, percussion, Clarinetfest, Northridge, CA Aug 2-7,2011
Collaborated with: Frank Ticheli, Julian Bliss, Quatuor Vendôme,
Robert Spring, Alexander Fiterstien and Håkan Rosengren
Gold Coast Wind Ensemble, percussion, Thousand Oaks, CA Nov 19, 2006
Opera & Musical Theater
The Music Man, Emery Weiner High School, Houston, TX Spring 2014
RomanceX3, Strauss, Gounod, Puccini, Rice University, Houston, TX Spring 2012
Thoroughly Modern Millie, Morris and Scanlan, Alvin High School, TX Jan 1, 2012
The Threepenny Opera, Weil, California State University, Northridge, CA Spring 2007
Cinderella, Hammerstein, Grace Brethren High School, Simi Valley, CA May 19, 2006
Charlie ... Chocolate Factory, Newley, Young Artists, Newberry Park, CA Feb 1-2, 2006
Jekyl & Hyde, Wildhorn, Young Artists Ensemble, Thousand Oaks, CA Jul 19-27, 2002
Rice African Music Ensemble
Willow Creek Assembly, Tomball, TX May 6, 2015
Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 2014-2015
International Festival, HSSH, Sugarland, TX Spring 2015
Africayé: Rice African Student Association Event Spring 2015
Lecture with Dr. Elias Bongmba, Religious Studies, Houston, TX Spring 2014
Community Outreach Concert, HSSH, Sugarland, TX Spring 2014
Soul Night: Rice Black Student Association Event Mar 22, 2014
Community Outreach Concert, HSPVA, Houston, TX Mar 6, 2014
Africayé: Rice African Student Association Event Jan 25, 2014
Uptown Houston Holiday Tree Lighting Nov 25, 2013
Rice University Pumpkin Project Oct 26, 2013
Stude Concert Hall, Houston, TX Oct 20, 2013
Rice Jazz Trio
Exxon Mobil Holiday Party, Houston, TX Dec 13, 2013
Art Installation: Unwoven Light, Rice University, Houston, TX Aug 28, 2013
River Oaks Women’s Association Event, Houston, TX Feb 14, 2013
Deborah Colton Art Gallery, Houston, TX Nov 12, 2012
Marimba Guys Duo with Spencer Goad
Thousand Oaks City Hall, CA Jul 20, 2010
Wedding, North Hills, CA Jun 12, 2010
Latin Jazz Ensemble with Jerry Steinholtz
Santa Clarita High School, CA Jun 14, 2010
World Music Festival, Lancaster, CA Jun 13, 2010
Freelance
Spring Chamber Concert, HSSH, Sugarland, TX Feb 28, 2014
Light and Salt Charity Concert, Houston, TX Feb 22, 2014
Commodore’s Concert Series, Houston Yacht Club, TX Jan 12, 2014
Inuksuit, Rice University, Houston, TX Sep 21, 2013
International Festival, Harmony School for the Sciences, Sugarland, TX May 18, 2013
World Premiere, El Martillo, Karim Al-Zand, Houston, TX Feb 6, 2013
Musicircus by John Cage, The Menil Museum, Houston, TX Sep 15, 2012
Animated Hyperspace, Art Installation by Drake Anderson, Houston, TX Apr 20, 2012
Fraser-Nachtigall Wedding, Saint John the Divine, Houston, TX Mar 31, 2012
Weathers-Long Wedding, Saint John the Divine, Houston, TX Feb 4, 2012
World Premiere, Flux, Liviu Marinescu, Northridge, CA Mar 13, 2011
Studio Recruitment Concert, Colina Middle School, Thous. Oaks, CA Jun 4, 2010
World Premiere, Alliterations, Michael West, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA Spring 2009
USO Caribbean Tour with Elle 3: Cuba, Puerto Rico, Honduras Fall 2005
Religious Services
Good Friday Service, Chapelwood United Methodist, Houston, TX Apr 3, 2015
Bima to Broadway, Temple Emanu El, Houston, TX Dec 21, 2014
Shabbat Chanukah Service, Temple Emanu El, Houston, TX Dec 19, 2014
Being a Disciple, St Lukes United Methodist, Gethsemane Campus, TX Aug 18, 2013
Encounter, St Lukes United Methodist, Houston, TX Jun 2, 2013
Pentecost Service, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Houston, TX May 19, 2013
Paul’s Gospel, St Lukes United Methodist, Houston, TX May 12, 2013
The Flame, St Lukes United Methodist, Gethsemane Campus, TX May 12, 2013
Easter Service, St Lukes United Methodist, Gethsemane Campus, TX Mar 31, 2013
Christmas, St Lukes United Methodist, Gethsemane Campus, TX Dec 16, 2012
Encounter, St Lukes United Methodist, Houston, TX Nov 11, 2012
Generosity, St Lukes United Methodist, Gethsemane Campus, TX Nov 11, 2012
Encounter, St Lukes United Methodist, Houston, TX Nov 4, 2012
Love, St Lukes United Methodist, Gethsemane Campus, Houston, TX Nov 4, 2012
Sanctuary People, St Lukes United Methodist, Gethsemane Campus, TX Oct 7, 2012
The Many Moods of Christmas, Magnolia United Methodist Church, TX Dec 17-18, 2011
The Gift of Christmas, First Presbyterian Church, Houston, TX Dec 11, 2011
Christmas, St. Lukes United Methodist Church, Houston, TX Dec 4, 2011
Masanga Marimba Ensemble
Sawdust Festival, Laguna Beach, CA Jul 27, 2014
Stonestown Farmer’s Market, San Francisco, CA Jul 20, 2014
Children’s Discovery Museum, San Jose, CA Jul 19, 2014
Off The Grid Fort Mason, San Franscisco, CA Jul 18, 2014
Rafael Farmer’s Market, San Rafael, CA Jul 17, 2014
Descanso Gardens, Los Angeles, CA Jul 8, 2014
The Original Farmer’s Market, Los Angeles, CA Jun 29, 2014
Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles, CA Jun 28, 2014
Sawdust Festival, Laguna Beach, CA Jul 28, 2013
Sawdust Festival, Laguna Beach, CA Jul 20, 2013
Stonestown Farmer’s Market, San Francisco, CA Jul 14, 2013
California Worldfest, Grass Valley, CA Jul 12, 2013
Janss Marketplace, Thousand Oaks, CA Jul 25, 2012
Petterson Museum of Intercultural Art, Claremont, CA Jun 25, 2011
Ojai Concert Series, Ventura, CA Jun 11, 2011
The Strawberry Music Festival, Yosemite National Park, CA May 28, 2011
Westminster School, Venice, CA May 22, 2011
Santa Monica Farmer's Market, CA May 22, 2011
Broad Stage, Santa Monica, CA May 1, 2011
The Original Fairfax Farmer's Market, Los Angeles, CA Jul 19, 2009
Los Angeles Zoo, Los Angeles, CA Jul 14, 2009
Zimfest 2009, Boulder, CO Jun 27, 2009
Live Oak Music Festival, Santa Barbara, CA Jun 21, 2009
Santa Monica Farmer's Market, CA May 31, 2009
Sunbowl Concert, Sun City, AZ Apr 12, 2009
San Pedro Grand Annex, San Pedro, CA Apr 4, 2009
Club Zanzibar, Santa Monica, CA Nov 9, 2008
Reyes Adobe Days, Agoura Hills, CA Oct 5, 2008
Los Angeles Korean Festival, CA Sep 25, 2008
McCabe's, Santa Monica, CA Sep 21, 2008
CSUN Freshman Convocation, Northridge, CA Sep 4, 2008
Cafe Z, Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles, CA Aug 30, 2008
Levitt Pavillion, Los Angeles, CA Aug 28, 2008
Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, CA Jul 28-Aug 1, 2008
Santa Monica Farmer's Market, CA Jul 27, 2008
Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, CA Jul 25, 2008
Temple Bar, Santa Monica, CA Jul 25, 2008
Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, CA Jul 23-24, 2008
Los Angeles Zoo, CA Jul 22, 2008
Nevada City Summer Nights, Nevada City, CA Jul 16-18, 2008
Novato Farmer's Market, Novato, CA Jul 15, 2008
Marin County Farmer's Market, Novato, CA Jul 12, 2008
Encino Park, Encino, CA Jun 21, 2008
Janss Marketplace, Thousand Oaks, CA Jun 18, 2008
LA Zoo, Los Angeles, CA Jun 14, 2008
Skirball Center, Los Angeles, CA May 31, 2008
CSUN, Northridge, CA May 21, 2008
Temple Bar, Santa Monica, CA Apr 29, 2008
Center for Nonviolence, Echo Park, CA Apr 26, 2008
Moorpark College, Moorpark, CA Apr 15, 2008
Zimbabwe Fund Raiser, Los Angeles, CA Mar 22, 2008
Pt. Mugu Whale Festival, Malibu, CA Mar 9, 2008
Fairfax Farmer's Market (The Grove), Los Angeles, CA Feb 3, 2008
The Onion, North Hills, CA Dec 2, 2007
Santa Monica Farmer's Market, Santa Monica, CA Sep 16, 2007
Topanga Community House Fairgrounds, Topanga, CA Sep 15, 2007
Zanzibar, Santa Monica, CA Aug 30, 2007
Fairfax Farmer's Market, Los Angeles, CA Aug 26, 2007
RECORDING EXPERIENCE_____________________________________________
Rice Percussion Studio Recording Project Spring 2013
Houston Brass Band, Recording Project with Robert Walp, TX Apr 22, 2012
Shakanaka, Masanga, Album, drums, percussion, marimba 2011
Impulse Black, Soundtrack, Kelley O’Moren, Michael Ashley West, CA 2011
No Absolution, Soundtrack, Niyi Laguda, Michael Ashley West, CA 2009
Mas, Masanga, Album, drumset, percussion, marimba, vocals, CA 2008
Yamaha Pro Audio Industrial Advertising Campaign, Myra Moretta, CA 2006
Elle3, Elle3, Album, drumset, Artisan Sound Records, Los Angeles, CA 2004
OTHER EXPERIENCE___________________________________________________
Equipment Manager, Richard Brown Orchestra, Houston, TX 2014-2015
Clarinetfest Percussion Coordinator, Northridge, CA Aug 1, 2011
Collaborated with: Frank Ticheli, Julian Bliss,
Quatuor Vendôme, Robert Spring, Alexander Fiterstien
and Håkan Rosengren
REFERENCES__________________________________________________________
Richard Brown, Professor and Chair, Percussion, Rice University, 6100 Main, Houston, TX 77025
(1201 Alice Pratt Brown Hall) (713)348-3787 rbdrum@rice.edu
Richard Lavenda, Professor, Composition and Theory, Director of Graduate Studies, Rice University, 6100 Main, Houston, TX 77025 (1606 Alice Pratt Brown Hall) (713)348-3330 lavenda@rice.edu
Janet Rarick, Associate Professor of Music Career Development, Rice University, 6100 Main,
Houston, TX 77025 (2202B Alice Pratt Brown Hall) (713)348-3602 rarick@rice.edu
Kurt Stallmann, Associate Professor, Composition and Theory, Director of Rice Electronic Music Labs, Rice University, 6100 Main, Houston, TX 77025 (2811 Alice Pratt Brown Hall) (713)348-8387 stallmann@rice.edu
John Roscigno, Professor and Chair, Percussion and Orchestral Studies, California State University, Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330 (212 Cypress Hall) (818)677-6834 john.roscigno@csun.edu
Liviu Marinescu, Professor and Chair, Composition, California State University, Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330 (228 Cypress Hall) (818)677-6478 liviu7@csun.edu
Ric Alviso, Professor and Chair, World Music, California State University, Northridge, 18111
Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330 (234 Cypress Hall) (818)677-2155 ric.alviso@csun.edu
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