Andrew Garrido, now 20, has been studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama since September 2017, after having completed two years at the prestigious Purcell School for Young Musicians.

Andrew's is an inspiring story of how he followed his passion for music and playing piano despite not having an instrument at home. We would love to invite you to listen to Andrew's music and support his music fund by donating directly below or purchasing his CD or MP3 download, as soon as these become available.

Support Andrew

All donations to Andrew's music fund are very gratefully received. Any monies donated go directly to Andrew's music tuition, funding of music competitions, etc., to help Andrew reach his goals.

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If you prefer donate by other means, please contact us at info@andrewgarrido.com.

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About Andrew


About Andrew GarridoAt the age of 11 Andrew had his first piano lesson and quickly developed a passion for classical music. He achieved Grade 8 with Distinction in less than five years. This is particularly impressive as Andrew did not have a piano at home on which to practice.

How he began ...

Lacking funds for piano lessons, Andrew drew all 88 piano keys onto A4 sheets of paper and stuck them to the computer desk; this was the 'keyboard' he used to follow an online piano and music theory course on YouTube, for four and a half months.

Experience to date ...

Having achieved Grade 8 (in fewer than 5 years, passing all his Grades with Distinction), Andrew was introduced to Marc Corbett-Weaver, with whom he studied prior to joining The Purcell School.

Andrew began to study with Danielle Salamon upon his entrance to the Purcell School in September 2015, where he was awarded the Senior Piano Prize and Senior Academic Music Prize in 2017.

Andrew obtained a Licentiate of Trinity College London (LTCL), a QCF Level 6 Qualification, in August 2017.

He has organised and performed three full-length solo recitals to date, to fund his musical tuition and the purchase of the piano that he now owns, as he had not had a piano at home until August 2015.

Andrew has also enjoyed playing at a variety of other musical performances, charity events, and festivals, and has seen success at the Sutton Music Festival 2014 and the North London Music Festival 2016. Andrew has been fortunate enough to perform in such venues as the Fazioli Concert Hall in Italy, the Ledger Recital Room at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Milton Court in Barbican, St James' Church in Paddington, the Secombe Theatre in Sutton, and Fairfield Halls in Croydon, as well as record at Abbey Road Studios. Andrew has benefitted from masterclasses with Nataša Lipovšek, Jonathan Plowright, Aaron Shorr, Fali Pavri, Robert Markham, Iain Burnside, Justas Dvarionas, and Dmitri Alexeev. He also has a great interest in improvisation, following courses with David Gordon and John Sweeney, as well as harmony, counterpoint, and music in society. Andrew’s chromesthesia, otherwise known as sound-colour synesthesia, allows him to perceive colours as he listens to or plays music, thus guiding his interpretations.

The next stage of his journey ...

Andrew accepted his offer to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (4-year course) with Charles Owen from September 2017, turning down the opportunity to read music at Oxford University. Let's see where his musical journey will take him ...

Merton Young Faces

Merton Young Faces Andrew GarridoTo celebrate The London Borough of Merton's 50th anniversary, 50 young people from Merton were chosen to take part in Merton Young Faces, an initiative celebrating the achievements, in various fields, of the borough's young people, funded by the Wimbledon Foundation.
The exhibition was hosted at Wimbledon's iconic All England Lawn Tennis Club for two weeks, with images and short bios of the 50 high-achievers. Andrew was one of these 50 outstanding young people, for his achievements in music.
 

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Andrew’s Debut CD Coming Soon!

This summer after his GCSE exams, Andrew recorded his first recital in the school hall at Wallington County Grammar School.

James Hawkins Music kindly recorded and produced the music.

We will shortly have digital downloads and CDs ready to buy. Please sign up to our mailing list to be among the first to get a copy. In doing so you will be contributing to Andrew’s exciting musical journey, for which we are sincerely grateful.

Calendar

Nothing from 20th July 2019 to 20th July 2020.