Andy Canepa

Bay Area trained early musician and pianist Andy Canepa works within an exciting early music community in the Bay Area, performing music from the medieval period to the 20th Century as a conductor, harpsichordist, organist, percussionist and pianist. Graduating at the top of his class from the University of Colorado in Boulder with both Bachelor of Music and Master of Music Degrees in piano performance, Maestro Canepa soon after moved to San Francisco to further his studies in keyboard technique, and to begin studies in conducting with Charlene Archibeque at San Jose State, and Marika Kuzma at University of California, Berkeley; at the same time, he began studying vocal technique with Susan Gundunas and Beth Amisano. It was in the Bay Area that he discovered the fascinating world of early music and began acquiring knowledge of the period with medieval and renaissance percussionist Peter Maund. Ever eager to expand his store of knowledge, he continued to explore the intricacies of the period, especially early keyboard music, and is becoming an expert in the Taubman keyboard technique, studying with John Bloomfield in New York City. M. Canepa is also a former piano student of Sarah Beth Hinders, Frank Wiens, Alvin Chow, Angela Cheng, Larry Graham, Mack McCray and Marc Steiner.

Keen to utilize this vast body of accumulated knowledge, M. Canepa enthusiastically conducts a wide variety of talented Bay Area musicians, and performs harpsichord and organ continuo in a number of early music ensembles. In addition to his peripatetic performing schedule, Msto. Canepa holds a full time position as Director of Music Ministry at St Mary Magdalen Church in Berkeley, where over the last 14 years, he has built a vibrant and exciting sacred early music program. In addition to performing, Msto. Canepa continues his vocal studies with vocal teacher Beth Amisano, is building an exciting studio of piano students, and coaches singers and chamber ensembles from throughout Bay Area.