Andy has been studying guitar since 1987. At age thirteen, he began songwriting and was performing his songs professionally by age sixteen. After attending a performing arts high school, he attended Southeastern Louisiana University and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from The University of Alabama in Huntsville. He traces the lineage of his guitar instruction back five generations through Patrick Kerber, Pepe Romero, Celedonio Romero (1913-1996) and Daniel Fortea (1878-1953) to Francisco Tarrega (1852-1909), a virtuoso and a prolific composer and arranger for the guitar. In addition, Andy studied with Phil Weaver of Consonare and Rosewood, Fire and Steel.
Andy has composed and arranged many pieces for solo guitar, guitar and cello, and guitar and flute. His studies and compositions have been or performed at universities and public events, such as instrumental recitals, dance recitals and have been used in ceremonial presentations. He focuses largely on composing new music. While formal training influenced his compositions and technique, Andy skillfully weaves in and out of genres while composing, and offers a non-traditional presentation of the nylon string guitar during performances.
Andy directs several guitar ensembles including the guitar trio Armonía of which he is a performing member. Additionally, Andy performs with a “new music” ensemble (instrumentalist presenting original compositions), and a wedding music dou (flute an guitar). Andy also performs original music as a solo guitarist.
In 2004, Andy began a private studio, and under his instruction, students learn to read music, perform and compose. His instruction extends to the World Wide Web via Skype and he teaches as part of the volunteer faculty at the Joy of Music School in Knoxville.