Originally from Seattle, WA, Andrew Gagiu enjoys a multi-faceted career as a passionate pedagogue and performing cellist. Before coming to the YMI Suzuki School of Music, Andrew enjoyed working with his students at the Illinois Community Music Academy, New Old School of Music, Music School at Sound Crossing, Gull Lake Virtual Partnership, and Kalamazoo Kids In Tune.
A Suzuki student himself at an early age, Andrew is a proud active member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) and American String Teachers Association (ASTA). Andrew currently holds a position as Section Cellist with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, and he has also played with Sinfonia da Camera, Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra, Aiken Civic Orchestra, Elkhart County Symphony Orchestra (Guest Principal Cellist), Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, and Kalamazoo Philharmonia. He also enjoys playing with numerous contemporary ensembles, musical productions, and wedding companies. Andrew has participated in festivals including Aria International Summer Academy, Ascent International Cello Festival, Marrowstone Music Festival Fellowship Division, Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, and Rocky Ridge Music Festival Young Artist Seminar. He has also competed as a Finalist in the Western Michigan University Concerto Competition, MTNA Michigan Young Artist String Competition, and Southern Adventist University Concerto Competition.
Mr.Gagiu currently studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign toward a D.M.A. in Cello Performance and Literature. He studied Cello Performance with Suzuki Pedagogy emphasis at TheHartt School towards his M.M., and he graduated magna cum laude from Western Michigan University with a B.M. in Cello Performance. Andrew’s principal teachers include Daniel McDonough, Mihai Tetel, Bruce Uchimura, Lara Turner, and Mary Walters. His Suzuki mentors include Blake Brasch and Andrea Yun. Andrew and his wife, conductor and string educator Teresa Strobel-Gagiu, currently reside in Champaign, IL, and you can find them on the pickleball court outside of the music room
A Suzuki student himself at an early age, Andrew is a proud active member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) and American String Teachers Association (ASTA). Andrew currently holds a position as Section Cellist with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, and he has also played with Sinfonia da Camera, Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra, Aiken Civic Orchestra, Elkhart County Symphony Orchestra (Guest Principal Cellist), Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, and Kalamazoo Philharmonia. He also enjoys playing with numerous contemporary ensembles, musical productions, and wedding companies. Andrew has participated in festivals including Aria International Summer Academy, Ascent International Cello Festival, Marrowstone Music Festival Fellowship Division, Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, and Rocky Ridge Music Festival Young Artist Seminar. He has also competed as a Finalist in the Western Michigan University Concerto Competition, MTNA Michigan Young Artist String Competition, and Southern Adventist University Concerto Competition.
Mr.Gagiu currently studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign toward a D.M.A. in Cello Performance and Literature. He studied Cello Performance with Suzuki Pedagogy emphasis at TheHartt School towards his M.M., and he graduated magna cum laude from Western Michigan University with a B.M. in Cello Performance. Andrew’s principal teachers include Daniel McDonough, Mihai Tetel, Bruce Uchimura, Lara Turner, and Mary Walters. His Suzuki mentors include Blake Brasch and Andrea Yun. Andrew and his wife, conductor and string educator Teresa Strobel-Gagiu, currently reside in Champaign, IL, and you can find them on the pickleball court outside of the music room