Andra Velis Simon
Biography
Andra Velis Simon works extensively in Chicago and around the country as a music director, adapter, arranger, pianist, vocal coach, and educator. Regionally, her work has been seen at Actors Theatre of Louisville, A.R.T. in Cambridge, Berkeley Rep, Brooklyn Academy of Music, NYU’s Skirball Center, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Pasadena Playhouse, and others. In Chicago, she has worked with The Goodman, Steppenwolf, Firebrand Theatre, Chicago Children’s Theatre, The Hypocrites, and dozens of others. Andra has over a decade of experience teaching musical theatre performance at the college level, primarily at Columbia College Chicago. Areas of special expertise include audition coaching, combining the techniques of acting and singing, and adapting/arranging musicals for actor-musicians. Andra prioritizes DEIA in all projects and works with organizations that share those values.
Professional Experience
- Regional
- Education
Regions
- Chicago/Midwest
- Carolinas
Maestra Expertise
- Music Director/Conductor (Pianist)
- Vocal Arranger
- Instrumentalist/Pit Musician
- Class/Voice Lesson/Rehearsal Pianist
- Rehearsal Pianist
- Voice Teacher (Private Studio)
- Voice Teacher (Educational Institution)
Primary Instruments
- Piano
Additional Instruments
- Accordion
- Guitar - acoustic
- Synth - keyboards
- Ukulele
- Voice
Software
- GarageBand
- MainStage
- Sibelius
Affiliations
- THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS (AFM)