I have been playing music since the age of 3 years old, and started out with a toy piano. My parents acquired my initial piano and I now play on my own grand piano. I was sent to classical music lessons at 5 years old, and played Beethoven’s Fifth Piano Concerto at the age of 12 years much to my music teacher’s delight. I did not want to take examinations in music - all I wanted to do was perform with the piano infused with electronic keyboards and church bands. Playing all genres of music at various hotels/events/resturants/corporate events occupied most of my weekends as a pianist and drummer.

I then decided that drumming was a good idea, and joined a Scottish Pipes and Drums band, and became Drum Sergeant and leading drummer of the drum corps. This then lead to acquiring an 18 piece drum kit and rock/pop band drumming. I was fascinated with the challenge of well coordinated drumming and joined a 60 piece jazz band where the introduction of many unusual key signatures were made. 

I then started playing 6 string acoustic guitar, bass guitar, 12 string acoustic and electric guitar during my student years and then became part of a 60 piece army corps band as leading drummer and Drum Sergeant again. Leading the army corps band, writing musical arrangements for each instrument was most rewarding.

Drawing on my experience with arrangements, vocals and instrumentation, I took on the role of Musical Director of musicals such as Grease, Joseph & His Technicolour Dreamcoat, Nunsense, Mikado and various other musical theatre shows.

I joined various touring pop/rock/beerfest bands and there was only one weekend night in the year we weren’t booked to perform. A music studio was set up in Australia, and I currently compose, record and mix my own music, along with teaching piano and drumming performance. Young children and others are always motivated by Andre to learn a musical instrument as one can see from the pictures on the right.

My future intentions are to continue to compose and perform on piano and drums and to bring delight to all who listen and tap their feet along to all the songs which are played. Music will always be part of my soul and glad that I can share this with others.