After attending Berklee College of Music in 1978 Andy began a 20 year career as an in-demand freelance musician on the Winnipeg music scene. In 1989 Andy met the girl of his dreams, Karin Clavadetscher, while they were both attending the Grove School of Music in Los Angeles, California. The ensuing 10 year partnership led them to stints in 1996 as sideman in the dance orchestras and showbands on board the MS Dynasty, (Norwegian Cruiseline) the SS Norway (Norwegian Cruiseline), and the SS Meridian (Celebrity Cruiseline). Their cruise ship experience led them to realize their talents were a perfect fit for a self-contained duo. A career choice was made and in 2000 the Northstar Duo debued on board the Seabourne Goddess II.
From 1990-1993 Andy taught Harmony, Arranging, Jazz Improvisation, Composition, Bass Guitar, Ear Training, and directed several ensembles at the Professional Musicians College in Winnipeg.
An accomplished composer and arranger, he was awarded the 1992 CBC/CKSB Manitoba Songwriting Competition "Best Instrumental Composition Award" for the jazz composition "Blues for Stevie Ray Vaughn." He was also awarded demo grants in 1994 from FACTOR and CIDO to record two original jazz compositions, and a 1989 Manitoba Arts Council Grant to attend Grove School of Music in Los Angeles.
He is a Dean's list graduate (1990) from the Professional Instrumental Program at the Grove School of Music in Los Angeles where he studied with Dick Grove, Joel DiBartolo, and the world-renowned Juno and Grammy-winning composer and bandleader, Rob McConnell.
He achieved the Honor Roll during his year at the Berklee School of Music, Boston, MA, where he studied Harmony, Composition & Arranging with David Mash; Bass Guitar with Richard Appleman and Bruce Gertz; He has also attended bass master classes with Dave Holland, Neil Swainson, Dave Young, Rufus Reid, and Victor Wooten.