According to AQ Music Department Chair and Professor Barbara Witham McCargar, Andrew Fleser had no idea he would graduate with a degree in music when he began college at Aquinas. Now, music is how he makes his living. Fleser is an instructor at McNally Smith College of Music in Saint Paul, Minnesota where he teaches Music Theory and Musical Theater; serves as the music director of Valley Community Presbyterian Church in Golden Valley, Minnesota; and plays recitals for instrumentalists and vocalists throughout the Upper Midwest.

Fleser was born in Grand Rapids and raised in Kentwood. His father took classes in the ‘80s and ‘90s at Aquinas and when in high school, Fleser visited the Art and Music Center monthly to attend recitals for the Grand Rapids Piano Teachers Forum. When it came time for college, Aquinas was obvious choice. Attracted to the arts, Fleser began to explore the study of music and English. “I had so many wonderful mentors, especially the late Rupert Kettle,” he said, “whose expertise in the world of avant-garde music has kept the music of the 20th century my primary focus to this day.” In regards to his interest in English, he added: “I also spent a lot of time in the English department pursuing a love of poetry; I took quite a few classes with Miriam Pederson, another guiding force in my time at Aquinas.”

Fleser turned his focus more wholly to music after his cousin, Sr. Catherine Williams, O.P., encouraged him to play music at Sunday evening mass on campus. Even though his concentration fell to music, Fleser was not forced to abandon his love of English for music; rather, he found the optimum balance. “Studying piano literature and poetry created a unique skill set that produced my love for vocal repertoire, which is why I went on to study collaborative piano and vocal coaching,” he said. “I believe it was Prof. Larry Biser in the Music Department who first suggested I should study it, so I partly have him to thank.”

McCargar witnessed Fleser give himself over to music. “I remember when the light bulb went off for Andy, when he began to comprehend the art of collaborative piano playing; that is, being a true partner in performance with a soloist,” she recalled. “It really got him excited and began looking for graduate school programs that would help bring him to the next level.” Before immersing himself in graduate studies Fleser worked locally, taking a job playing piano in North Muskegon. After that, he became the music director of St. Pius X, a Catholic parish in Grandville, where he stayed for four years until heading to graduate school. In addition to earning his B.M. at Aquinas, he earned a M.M. degree in Piano Accompanying and Coaching from Westminster Choir College of Rider University and a D.M.A from the University of Minnesota in Collaborative Piano.

Fleser desires to thank all who helped direct him to his position today: “My various professors at AQ contributed highly to my abilities and ambitions; I didn't know that I could combine all my loves and interests into a career, but my experiences at AQ led me to eventually pursue more degrees in this field of Collaborative Piano.”

Fleser, returning to Aquinas in April 2012 to perform with fellow alum, opera singer Sara Jakubiak ‘02, is very happy to revisit his roots. “I love going back home, I'm excited to see many of my old professors, and I'm very, very excited to work with Sara again, as it's been so long,” he said. Fleser is also eager to impart advice drawn from his experiences to AQ music students. “Contrary to what people say, there IS work out there for freelance musicians; you just have to work hard to get it,” he said. “If you excel in your field, and maintain a professional reputation, you can thrive.”