Andrea Shaut is a prominent musician in the Hudson Valley music scene. Since graduating with a Music Performance degree from Ithaca College and moving to Kingston NY, she has established a demanding and diverse schedule of musical performances and a private teaching studio with students of all ages/levels.
Andrea has been the piano accompanist and rehearsal assistant for the prestigious West Point Military Academy Glee Club since 2010. With this talented choir, she has had the opportunity to perform across the country at renowned theater venues, hospitals, stadiums, and schools. A few noted performances include NYC's famed Lincoln Center, Louisiana Governor’s Inauguration, an NFL sponsored SuperBowl party opening for Blake Shelton & Jon Stewart, performing with Trace Adkins at The Grand Ole Opry, a recording session at the world famous Skywalker Sound in California, and performances at George Washington University, Ellis Island, Tiger Woods Nike Theater in Portland Oregon, and West Point’s own Eisenhower Hall. Other accompanying highlights have been performing Carmina Burana with Ars Choralis at Opus 40, traveling abroad (Hungary, Italy, Austria) with the Hudson Valley Youth Chorale, accompanying musicians at Maverick Concerts in Woodstock, and collaborating with many professional musicians for concert recitals. Andrea also enjoys accompanying and coaching young musicians for competitions and recitals, as well as for local school choirs.
Andrea founded the Hudson Valley Recital Project, a recital series featuring professional and student musicians, with the mission to strengthen community and education through music. Each event is a themed evening, directed and accompanied by Andrea on piano, and features music, dance, art, food, drink. Past events have included Journey through the Senses, An Italian Dinner Show, and Women in Music.
As a concert pianist, Andrea has performed as soloist with SUNY Ulster Wind Ensemble and regularly performs solo recitals and as a guest artist/speaker. In 2014, she released her debut CD, Simple Beauty, a collection of solo piano music dedicated to the memory of her grandmother. Andrea is currently one of the two organists at Fair St Reformed Church in Kingston. Outside of solo work, Andrea’s favorite duo is with her father, Bob Shaut. The Father Daughter Duo is a saxophone/piano collaboration that blends jazz and classical to create their unique sound, and they are frequently asked to perform throughout Kingston at restaurants, festivals, and fundraisers. In 2021, they released their first album together – Church House Sessions.
Playing wedding ceremonies since the age of 14, Andrea currently runs her own business, Hudson Valley Harmony, providing music for special events. She has won Wedding Wire’s Couple’s Choice Award in 2014, 2015 & 2018, which ranks the winners as the top 5% in the nation. Although she specializes in classical music, Andrea also has a wide repertoire of popular and jazz music. She has played weddings at many venues, including the Waldorf-Astoria, Belvedere Mansion, The Garrison, Vassar College, and the Larchmont Yacht Club…to name a few! Not only can she play piano, she also plays organ and keyboard, to accommodate church weddings and outdoor weddings. Andrea also plays solo piano, or as a duo, for cocktail hours and private parties. For a decade, Andrea was the keyboardist for the Hudson Valley’s premier wedding band – The Kazz Music Orchestra - winners of the Wedding Wire Couple’s Choice Award every year of their existence.
Andrea is also a member of Dan Shaut Swing Orchestra, which is a little big band led by her brother, Dan, and is a family affair that includes her father and brother on saxophones. The band has performed at weddings and festivals throughout the Hudson Valley and Washington D.C. The Shaut Family, along with the Dan Shaut Swing Orchestra, host Swinging Moments Cabaret an annual Alzheimer’s Association fundraiser in November which has raised over $80,000 for the local chapter. Andrea serves as the publicity chair and volunteer coordinator for this event.
Past performance experiences for Andrea have included accompanying the Mid-Hudson Valley Women’s Chorus, musical director of The Reformed Church of the Comforter, countless musical productions at Ulster Community College, Ithaca College, Marist College, and with local theater groups and high schools. Other notable performances have included playing with NYC Salsa/Latin Jazz Band “Los Bandidos”, Motown/R&B/Soul Band “Groove Buffet” at the legendary B.B. King’s Blues Club in Times Square, playing in Aruba with the Ageless Jazz Band, and playing organ at a NY Yankee game!
Andrea runs Andrea’s Music Studio, currently with over 30 piano students. As a teacher, her focus is to teach life skills through the art of music making – developing good habits, fostering creativity & passion, and building performing skills. She is also a collaborating teacher for Bridge Art Education.
Outside of her music career, Andrea currently serves as the City of Kingston Common Council President, where she is the first woman ever to hold the elected position. She is also a student at Albany Law School.
Andrea is living her happily ever after with her partner Ed. They share a love of hiking, fine wine and their three cats – Amelia, Majesty & Pip.