Life & Work with Andrea Culpepper

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Culpepper. They and their team shared their story with us below:

As a child, Andrea started to take piano lessons from the late Margaret Ezell and fell in love with music as a whole, making her own songs and singing in church. Later own in middle school, Andrea decided it was time to use her gifts for the Lord and play for her home church Winn Oliver AME Church where Johnnie Hunter is the Pastor.

In high school, Andrea began to get more involved in arts and sports; participating in activities such as Marching band, Concert Band, Chorus, Student Council, Basketball and Track. In her senior year of high school, Andrea decided that her love for music surpassed her love for sports, so she decided to journey to the University of West Georgia to earn 2 bachelor’s degrees in Music Education and Music Performance with an emphasis in Jazz Studies. During her time in college, Andrea composed and performed several compositions and arrangements, including arrangements for concert choir, concert band, jazz band, jazz nonets, and women ensemble.

From that time until now, Andrea has commissioned several of her own sheet music such as “The Resurrection” and “Divine Images” commissioned by the University of West Georgia and “Christmas Medley” commissioned by Lovinggood Middle and Hillgrove High Schools. In the summer of 2021, Faith School of Music partnered with Clayton County Public Schools as a Piano Instructor and taught over 70 students piano fundamentals.  In the summer of 2022, Andrea received the opportunity to sing for the 39th Anniversary of MidAmerica Productions Performance at Carnegie Hall, New York City with Dr. Hibbard. Today, Andrea has published “Divine Images” for Concert Band that is available to the public.

Andrea is now the proud music teacher at Kemp Primary School and also serves as the PBIS Coach.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has always been very tough. Trying to get others to commission your music is hard since there is so much music already out there. My music is God inspired so that alone is tough, but God will make a way. Also, most conductors and directors are traditional, only wanting to perform music from before the 2000s by the Music pioneers that paved the way for composers like me.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a Modern Composer. I am known for my ability to compose absolutely anything! In college, my peers called me “The Maestro” for always being to create a masterpiece on the spot. Once I have a medley in my ear, I can run with that and have a complete composition in a week’s time. That alone is a gift and sets me apart from others. I am most proud of being a music teacher. I get to pour into these young minds. Most of the time, it’s not the music that they want from me; it’s the love.

Any big plans?
I am in the works of composing a new composition that will be called “Kingdom”. It will be a three song symphony for orchestra. Also, I am creating a website for virtual piano lessons where students and adults can work at their own pace. These are my short-term goals that will be completed within a year. Long-term goals include my own music book series for schools.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://faithschoolofmusic.wixsite.com/my-site-2

Image Credits
Mekisha Jenkins Photography Clothed in Love Photography