B.F.A., Guitar Performance, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
M.M., University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Andrew Lardner is a musician and educator living in the Milwaukee metropolitan area. He is especially interested in advancing scholarship in fingerstyle guitar through the publication of thoughtful and accurate materials that others can use as a source of reliable information. He currently works as a music specialist for Milwaukee Public Schools.

Previously, while working at UWM he developed new courses utilizing his special skills in transcription, publishing, and digital marketing, such as the Finger-Style Guitar Ensemble and Contemporary Technological Skills for Performing Musicians. His primary focus is on 20th century American folk/blues, teaching new repertoire for finger-style guitar, and elevating bright young musicians to a high performance level, preparing them for a career in music.

At UWM he received the First Year Student Success award during his first year as a faculty member. This award is given to faculty members who are voted on by first-year students indicating that they are the person who helped them the most in their freshman year of study.

Andrew has worked with or participated in master classes with most of today’s leading composers, a list that includes Leo Kottke, Alex de Grassi, Pierre Bensusan, Michael Gulezian, Antoine Dufour, Pino Forastiere, Billy McLaughlin, Clive Carroll, and Andy McKee to name a few.

Andrew has also taught beginning guitar, beginning piano, beginning ukulele, and world music drumming for UWM’s pre-college Mini-Course program. This community outreach program is designed to enhance student’s academic skills and interest in higher education. He has also recently started developing courses for UWM’s College for Kids.

He also has performed on the mandocello for the Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra, has developed materials with Stropes Editions, Ltd. and teaches privately both locally and worldwide.