Andrew Abel is a performer, educator, and arts professional based in the Pacific Northwest.
Andrew is the principal tubist with the Oregon Ballet Theater Orchestra. Joining the orchestra in 2024, he is one of the ensemble's newest members.
Andrew was the tuba fellow with the New World Symphony (NWS) from 2019 to 2023. A laboratory for how music is taught, presented, and experienced, NWS has been preparing future leaders in classical music since its co-founding in 1987 by Artistic Director Laureate Michael Tilson Thomas. While at NWS, Andrew engaged with a multifaceted fellowship emphasizing performance, community engagement, and professional development. He performed alongside the orchestra throughout its 30+ week season, presenting a variety of traditional, contemporary, and chamber repertoire. Through NWS's various community engagement initiatives, he mentored and taught dozens of young brass musicians from around South Florida. Finally, Andrew spearheaded various artistic projects. He is most proud of his work leading Beer and Brass, a multidisciplinary, multiyear experimental chamber series designed to build new audiences.
Andrew is an accomplished freelance musician and has enjoyed a varied performance career. He is a frequent guest of the Seattle Symphony and can be heard on their albums The Unchanging Sea (2018) and The Flying Lotus (2017). He maintains a busy performing schedule subbing with orchestras across the country. Notable groups include the Boston, Cincinnati, St. Louis, and Baltimore Symphony Orchestras. He is an accomplished studio musician and can be heard on a variety of soundtracks, including video games Destiny (2014) and DOTA 2 (2013) and the NBC television series Community (2009-2015).
Andrew received his Bachelor of Music from the University of Washington in 2017, where he studied with Christopher Olka (Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra). In 2019, he received his Master of Music from the Colburn School with Norman Pearson (ret. LA Philharmonic). In addition, he has attended prestigious summer music festivals such as Spoleto USA, Music Academy of the West, Pierre Monteux Music Festival, and, most significantly, The Tanglewood Music Festival, where he was, and remains, the festival's youngest ever tuba fellow.