With a captivating blend of classical training and adventurous improvisation, Andrea creates a mesmerizing sound that reflects her unique artistic vision. Dive into her inspiring journey, from performances with the Grateful Dead community to her upcoming solo project, and discover how she brings her bohemian spirit into every facet of her life.
Tour with Moby and Other Artists
There’s something truly special about Andrea Whitt’s musical journey as she joins Moby for his European tour this September, marking his first tour in a decade. With an impressive history of touring alongside stars like Shania Twain and Zucchero, Andrea’s versatility shines through as she shares stages across genres. Her standout appearances with the jam band Blues Traveler and the exclusive experience with Dead and Company further showcase her talent and ability to connect with audiences.
Release of “Sleepwalk” and Artistic Vision
While preparing to release her captivating version of “Sleepwalk” in August 2024, you’ll find that Andrea pours her heart into every detail of her artistry. This dreamlike take on the classic will surprise you, especially with visuals shot at the historic Madonna Inn. Andrea is committed to making decisions that reflect her unique style and vision, all while working to cultivate her brand in tandem with her musical journey.
To truly appreciate “Sleepwalk,” you’ll want to investigate Andrea’s artistic approach, which includes styling her own wardrobe, directing videos, and creating merch that resonates with her audience. This project represents not just a musical release, but also a vibrant expression of Andrea’s creative spirit. (Every choice she makes embodies the fun, sexy, and expressive bohemian essence she cherishes.) You’ll find that her passion for art and music blend seamlessly, making this release a memorable experience for fans and newcomers alike.
Early Training in Viola
Now, as a passionate musician, you might be interested to learn that Andrea Whitt began her journey with the viola at a young age. She earned both her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Viola Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. This classical foundation laid the groundwork for her diverse musical career, allowing you to appreciate her deep understanding of music theory and performance at a high level.
Transition to Pedal Steel and Inspiration
Steel yourself for an exciting transition that Andrea made as she ventured into the world of pedal steel playing. While touring with country superstar Shania Twain, her curiosity was piqued by the pedal steel player’s enchanting sound, urging her to explore this unique instrument.
Background on Andrea’s transition reveals that her classical training made it easier for her to pick up a new instrument. After watching the pedal steel guitarist during rehearsals, she felt inspired to learn and began transcribing Jerry Garcia’s parts from ‘Workingman’s Dead.’ This newfound passion has since connected her with a vibrant community of Grateful Dead fans and enriched her performances in the jam band scene, showcasing the beauty of this rare instrument in new and exciting ways.
Visual Art and Commissioned Works
If you enjoy the interplay of music and visual art, you’ll appreciate Andrea Whitt’s artistic journey. As a lifelong visual artist, Andrea has been commissioned for her distinctive ink, watercolor, and oil paintings. (Her decision to blend her passion for music and painting brings a unique artistic flair to both disciplines.)
Development of Boho Bunnie Lifestyle Brand
Now, Andrea is transforming her Boho Bunnie blog into a vibrant lifestyle brand that encapsulates the fun and expressive bohemian spirit. This brand will encompass art prints, creatively designed merchandise, fashion pieces, and even a perfume line. Through Boho Bunnie, you can connect with Andrea’s artistic vision, finding inspiration in her fun and sexy designs that celebrate individuality and creativity.
Teaching Philosophy and Experience
You can feel Andrea Whitt’s passion for music education in every lesson she conducts. As a dedicated instructor of viola, fiddle, and pedal steel, she believes in fostering creativity and expression, ensuring her students connect deeply with their instruments. Throughout her career, Andrea has directed youth orchestras and ensembles, emphasizing the joy of collaboration and learning in the arts. She finds immense fulfillment in guiding young musicians, sharing her unique journey, and inspiring them to explore their own artistic paths.
Impact and Importance of Music Education
Clearly, music education holds a significant role in developing young minds and fostering creativity. Andrea emphasizes that it’s necessary for musicians to give back to the community and share their knowledge with the next generation (she regularly teaches private lessons). By nurturing musical talent, educators like Andrea help students not only excel in their craft but also build self-confidence and teamwork skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
For instance, when students engage with music, they often discover a sense of belonging and purpose that extends beyond the classroom. Andrea’s commitment to teaching helps elevate the importance of music within the community, as shared experiences cultivate meaningful connections (many successful musicians cite their early education as pivotal to their development). As she shapes the next wave of artists, Andrea remains a beacon of creativity and inspiration, blending her performance experience with her teaching expertise to enrich her students’ musical journeys.
What’s the best show you’ve ever played?
One of my most memorable shows was on the mountain top in Ischgl, Austria for the end of the ski season with Zucchero, the Italian artist I used to tour with. Each year there’s a massive week-long party for the end of the ski season the first week of May, and they invite massive artists to perform. The year before us, Katy Perry was the headliner.
The stage is set up so that the musicians look out to an audience of 30,000 or so people on skis with the Swiss Alps behind them. Hands down the most stunning view I have ever seen being on stage. Our gear had to be lifted via the ski gondolas the day before. Luckily, there are techs for that! The day of the show, the sun was out, and it was an absolutely beautiful day, but the temperature couldn’t have been above 30 degrees. I had decided the day before when I was exploring the town that if I found a pair of Leiderhosen on sale that were cute enough for stage, I would totally rock them for the show. I came across a beautiful pair of bright red Leiderhosen, which I decided to pair with grey tights a white button-up, cowboy boots, and a cowboy hat. Mind you, it’s only 30 degrees, but hey, fashion first!
I had never experienced a more physically demanding show than that. The stage heaters were pushing instruments way out of tune, and I swear icicles were hanging from the strings on my pedal steel. All I could think about the whole show was that I hoped I could nail my fast solo at the end of the show because I could barely feel my fingers. Well, I nailed the solo and the Leiderhosen was an absolute hit, I’ve never gotten more applause walking onto a stage!
Has your musical journey had a deliberate direction, or did it simply gradually evolve in whatever direction it found?
I think as an artist I am forever evolving and always find new influences and inspirations. A few things were always certain in my career… I always wanted to live in Los Angeles and I wanted to play music other than classical music, which I was trained on. Other than that, everything has been a constant evolution. I started playing pedal steel and fiddle because I was in Shania Twain’s band. That in particular led me down a whole new path, especially playing steel. Now I get called for pedal steel gigs and some people don’t even realize I play fiddle as well. It’s so crazy to me because I didn’t even know what pedal steel was until eleven years ago when I saw one for the first time in person. I always follow the path that sounds the most fun and exciting, and I believe that honestly comes out in my performance and playing.
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
I have a laundry list of artists I’d love to collaborate with. My vision board is filled with photos of artists I’d love to work with. Some of my top ones would be Billy Corgan because Smashing Pumpkins was my first favorite band, Bob Dylan, Stevie Nicks, Dead & Company because I taught myself pedal steel with all of Jerry Garcia’s playing, Robert Plant and Slash.
What would you be doing right now if it weren’t for your music career?
I’m a visual artist as well, so if I wasn’t doing music full-time, then I would be a full-time visual artist. I actually thought I was going to be a visual artist way before I started playing music. I paint using watercolors, inks, and oils and paint a wide variety of subjects from iconic locations across the world when I travel to nudes. You can find my artwork on my site bohobunnie.com!
What is next for you?
I’m working on my first solo album! I have lots of ideas for guest artists, and pretty excited for some collaborations that are in the works. I recently started getting more into singing and in particular singing while playing steel, so I’m excited to add that to the album as well.