BIOGRAPHY
Andy Teirstein
In addition to performing, Andy writes music inspired by the rich and diverse folk roots of modern culture. His new opera, A Blessing on the Moon, premiered at New York's (Le) Poisson Rouge and in Vancouver’s Chutzpah! Festival in February. His compositions have been described by The New York Times as “magical,” and “superbly crafted.” A student of Leonard Bernstein and Henry Brant, Teirstein composes for the concert hall, film, theater, and dance. As an actor, he appeared in the film Sophie’s Choice and was an original cast member of the Broadway musical Barnum. His CD, Open Crossings, features the Cassatt Quartet, The Kiev Philharmonic Orchestra, and David Lutken narrating “The Shooting of Dan McGrew.” He has composed film scores for BBC and PBS, and created the award-winning musicals Winter Man and Skels. Andy studied with Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents at NYU, and received his Ph.D from The CUNY Graduate Center. He has extended his musical education in the pubs of Ireland and performing as a musical clown with a Mexican circus. He is currently an Associate Arts Professor at NYU.