Andrew Santander

Andrew Santander serves as Professor of Music at the University of North Georgia, where he directs instrumental music programs and leads the jazz band and jazz combo on the Gainesville campus.

His educational background includes:

• DMA in Piano Performance from The University of Georgia (1998)
• M.M. in Piano Performance and Early Music-Harpsichord from Indiana University (1995)
• B.M. in Piano Performance from Indiana University (1992)

Specializing in Music theory, Music history, Piano performance, Jazz, Early music, and Contemporary/Avant-garde repertoire, his research spans historical performance practices to cutting-edge new compositions. His collaborative work has directly inspired original piano compositions written for him, reflecting his commitment to expanding contemporary performance literature while maintaining deep expertise in historical contexts.

As an active adjudicator for national piano competitions and former contributing editor for the Forney & Machlis textbook The Enjoyment of Music, he bridges academic scholarship with practical performance. His leadership in ensemble direction demonstrates applied pedagogical impact beyond traditional classroom settings.

Awards and Honors:

• Multiple national and international piano competition awards

His performance career includes extensive solo and chamber recitals across North America and Europe, complemented by several commercial recordings that document his interpretive range from Baroque to experimental contemporary works.

At UNG, he shapes the music curriculum through his dual leadership of instrumental programs and jazz ensembles, fostering student development in both classical and improvisational traditions within the Music Department's comprehensive framework.