Instrument/Department: Music Theory
Joined Hochstein faculty in: 2023
Andrew joined the Hochstein faculty as instructor of music theory in Summer 2023. He is in his fourth year of study at the Eastman School of Music, pursuing a PhD in music theory. He has taught in the first two years of Eastman’s undergraduate core, including courses both in aural and written theory. Andrew also taught two years of undergraduate theory courses at Kent State University, where he received his Master of Arts degree in 2020. As a trombonist, Andrew has performed with studio, wind, and orchestral ensembles at Kent State, and in his undergraduate study at Wright State University.
Andrew’s research focuses on music cognition and systematic analysis of music. He has presented his research at local, regional, and international conferences and symposia, on topics including historical keyboard tuning, jazz harmony, and rhythmic expressivity in contemporary punk. He organizes Eastman’s interest group for music cognition (CSEG) and is entering his third year as the music cognition lab’s research assistant.
As a teacher, Andrew emphasizes the relevance of what is learned in the theory classroom to students’ practical needs as musicians. Having worked as a tutor during his undergraduate study and at Eastman, Andrew strives to maintain a classroom where students feel comfortable asking any questions about course material, and where they do not feel belittled if they make a mistake.
More About Andrew Blake
Hometown: Xenia, OH
What inspires me: The power of music to impact the listener in profound ways
Favorite place to travel: Bar Harbor, ME
Favorite composer: David Maslanka
What people would be surprised to know about me: My cat (Opie) often tries to improvise duets with me whenever I’m preparing something at the piano.