Andrew Koehler

Andrew Koehler is an Associate Professor of Music and Department Chair at Kalamazoo College, leading the Kalamazoo Philharmonia as Music Director. He concurrently serves as Music Director of the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra and Cover Conductor for the West Michigan Symphony Orchestra. His artistic leadership earned the Community Medal of Arts for lifetime achievement, recognizing his transformative impact on the Kalamazoo arts community.

Education includes a B.A. in Music and German Studies (Yale College, with honors), a conducting certificate from the Universität für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Wien (as a Fulbright Scholar), and a Master's from Northwestern University. His mentors include Victor Yampolsky and Leopold Hager.

Research interests focus on orchestral programming innovation and artistic leadership in classical music. Notable collaborations include conducting the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra for an album of Steven Holochwost's works (2024) and leading ensembles at festivals like Aspen and Cabrillo. He has held music directorships at Western Michigan University’s Symphony Orchestra, the University of Chicago Chamber Orchestra, and Vienna’s Akademisches Sinfonie-Orchester.

Awards highlight both artistic excellence and community impact. His global conducting engagements span orchestras in Ukraine, Bulgaria, Poland, and the U.S., showcasing expertise in diverse repertoires including contemporary compositions. The Arcato Chamber Ensemble, founded by Koehler, features Kalamazoo’s top professional musicians and has been praised for its premier performances.