Dr. Andy Villemez is an educator, composer, and author based in Cincinnati, OH where he serves as Associate Professor of Piano and Piano Pedagogy at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. His activities focus on the development of teaching strategies and materials that empower students with well-rounded musicianship and long-lasting creativity.

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Andy has presented research at national and international conferences including The National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy and the MTNA National Conference. He has published articles and reviews in The Piano Magazine, American Music Teacher, and the MTNA e-Journal. He is the author of the piano text Musicianship at the Keyboard: essential skills for the creative musician (VMS Publications, 2021). A revised and expanded edition of this text will be published fall 2024 by Rowman & Littlefield, Inc.

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As a composer and arranger, he has been commissioned by concert pianists, performing arts guilds, Cincinnati Public Radio, and regional piano competitions. His works range from pedagogical pieces to concert works with emphasis on writing for piano and other keyboard instruments. His most recently completed work entitled New Hymns is a set of five pieces for piano and analog synthesizer commissioned by Dr. Zachary Lopes, Associate Professor of Piano at Western Kentucky University. Currently in the works is a set of three concert etudes based on songs by Dolly Parton commissioned by Dr. Todd Van Kekerix, Assistant Professor of Piano and Piano Pedagogy at the University of Houston.

 

Andy is the founder and director of Creative Commissions – an arts outreach initiative that pairs professional composers with young musicians and their primary music teachers in order to collaborate on the creation of a new work. Each new piece is based on students’ strengths, weaknesses, interests, and goals. Started in 2016, the project has involved award-winning composers and students from all over the country.

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Andy currently serves as president-elect of the Ohio Music Teachers Association. He earned degrees from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (DMA, MM) and Vanderbilt University (BM). A native of Little Rock, AR, he currently lives in Cincinnati, OH with his wife, Julie, and their two kids.