Soprano and Music Educator, Dena Marie Andrews is a graduate of Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. Ms. Andrews holds both a B.M in Music Education and B.M Vocal Performance. In her Undergraduate studies Ms Andrews took on intensive coursework in critical pedagogy, song literature, music historiography, piano and choral conducting. At Westminster she worked under Music Education faculty; Dr. Frank Abrahams, Dr. Sharon Morrow, Dr. Al Holcomb and Dr. Janet Cape. Vocal studies took place under Margaret Cusack, Laura Brooks Rice, Julia Kemp and voice coaches Rachelle Jonck and Akiko Hosaki.
Noted for her vibrant vocal quality and strong musicianship, American soprano, Dena Marie Andrews returns to the Minuetto Music Festival for the 2018-2019 season production of Die Fledermaus as a Rising Star Award recipient. Upcoming performance engagements in the 2018-2019 season include a solo debut at Carnegie Hall, singing Monteverdi Gloria a 7 under Maestro John Rutter, and an international operatic debut in the role of Gianetta with the Greek Opera Studio, in their summer production of L'elisir D'amore as well as Chorus in Ariadne auf Naxos. Ms. Andrews 2017-2018 season credits include J.S Bach’s Missa in A Major in collaboration with the Madison String Quartet, J.S. Bach’s BMV150 Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich under Dr. Jason Bishop, Mozart’s Vesperae solennes de confessore with the Continuo Arts Foundation, and Zelda ‘Symphony of the Goddess’ with Washington National Symphony at Wolf Trap.
Previous season performance credits include the New York premiere of opera Paradise Lost: Shadows and Wings at Carnegie Hall under composer Eric Whitacre, soprano soloist in J.S. Bach’s Cantata 21 with The Bach Choir of Bethlehem and soprano soloist in Handel’s Judas Maccabaeus alongside the Westminster Conservatory Collegiate Chorale. At home on the concert stage, Ms. Andrews’ has served under conductors Yannick Nezet-Sequin, Rossen Milanov, and Valery Gergiev. Major Orchestral engagements in past seasons include collaborative work with The Philadelphia Orchestra, The London Symphony Orchestra and The New York Philharmonic.
In the Spring of 2017 Ms. Andrews was brought on as an Artist-in-Residence with The Continuo Arts Foundation in Summit, NJ. Last season, she was a recipient of the Emerging Artist Award with the Minuetto Music Festival. While in residence with The Continuo Arts Foundation she serves as a section leader with the Civic Chorale, and sings as a professional member of Sonare, a chamber ensemble with Continuo Arts.
In addition to being an active performer, holding advanced degrees in both Music Education and Voice Performance, Ms Andrews is currently behind the baton serving as the Choral Director on staff in Lakeside Middle School in Millville, NJ. Under her direction, the Lakeside choirs have received high acclaim, scoring Superior ratings with the High Notes Festival. As an educator she believes it is the responsibility of classroom teachers to prepare students with the necessary skills to succeed in 21st century society and to provide them a learning environment in which they can feel safe, nurtured, and encouraged. Ms. Andrews has a passion for invigorating, inclusive and relevant music teaching. She believes the combination of an emancipating environment and 21st century societal preparation should be a priority for going beyond traditional learning.
Noted for her vibrant vocal quality and strong musicianship, American soprano, Dena Marie Andrews returns to the Minuetto Music Festival for the 2018-2019 season production of Die Fledermaus as a Rising Star Award recipient. Upcoming performance engagements in the 2018-2019 season include a solo debut at Carnegie Hall, singing Monteverdi Gloria a 7 under Maestro John Rutter, and an international operatic debut in the role of Gianetta with the Greek Opera Studio, in their summer production of L'elisir D'amore as well as Chorus in Ariadne auf Naxos. Ms. Andrews 2017-2018 season credits include J.S Bach’s Missa in A Major in collaboration with the Madison String Quartet, J.S. Bach’s BMV150 Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich under Dr. Jason Bishop, Mozart’s Vesperae solennes de confessore with the Continuo Arts Foundation, and Zelda ‘Symphony of the Goddess’ with Washington National Symphony at Wolf Trap.
Previous season performance credits include the New York premiere of opera Paradise Lost: Shadows and Wings at Carnegie Hall under composer Eric Whitacre, soprano soloist in J.S. Bach’s Cantata 21 with The Bach Choir of Bethlehem and soprano soloist in Handel’s Judas Maccabaeus alongside the Westminster Conservatory Collegiate Chorale. At home on the concert stage, Ms. Andrews’ has served under conductors Yannick Nezet-Sequin, Rossen Milanov, and Valery Gergiev. Major Orchestral engagements in past seasons include collaborative work with The Philadelphia Orchestra, The London Symphony Orchestra and The New York Philharmonic.
In the Spring of 2017 Ms. Andrews was brought on as an Artist-in-Residence with The Continuo Arts Foundation in Summit, NJ. Last season, she was a recipient of the Emerging Artist Award with the Minuetto Music Festival. While in residence with The Continuo Arts Foundation she serves as a section leader with the Civic Chorale, and sings as a professional member of Sonare, a chamber ensemble with Continuo Arts.
In addition to being an active performer, holding advanced degrees in both Music Education and Voice Performance, Ms Andrews is currently behind the baton serving as the Choral Director on staff in Lakeside Middle School in Millville, NJ. Under her direction, the Lakeside choirs have received high acclaim, scoring Superior ratings with the High Notes Festival. As an educator she believes it is the responsibility of classroom teachers to prepare students with the necessary skills to succeed in 21st century society and to provide them a learning environment in which they can feel safe, nurtured, and encouraged. Ms. Andrews has a passion for invigorating, inclusive and relevant music teaching. She believes the combination of an emancipating environment and 21st century societal preparation should be a priority for going beyond traditional learning.