Andy Harnsberger

Lee University

“Andy Harnsberger is a joy to watch in performance and a feast for the ears.
The sensitivity and strength in his live playing was a treasure for the audience …simply phenomenal!”
— National Public Radio 

Praised by Percussive Notes Journal as “A Master of Musical Nuance,” Andy Harnsberger enjoys a versatile career as a performer, composer, and educator. He has performed in a variety of settings across North America, Australia, Europe and Japan and presents solo recitals and clinics throughout the United States each year. He has been appointed to the artist/faculty at the InterHarmony International Music Festival in Germany, and will participate in the 2015 Patagonia Percussion Festival in Argentina. He has been a featured solo artist at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC), Spoleto Festival USA and Piccolo Spoleto Festival and has also appeared as a guest clinician at numerous Percussive Arts Society Days of Percussion. His compact disc, Vertigo has been recognized by the Percussive Arts Society as “a must purchase for anyone who collects important marimba recordings … His performance makes it clear that he is a master player, not only technically, but musically as well.”

Dr. Harnsberger is in demand as a recitalist and clinician across the country and internationally, presenting clinics and masterclasses at as many as 40 universities per year. His compositions have been performed at PASIC and around the world and he is the recipient of multiple ASCAP PLUS awards for his contributions to American Concert Music. He has performed as percussionist with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Nashville Symphony Orchestra, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Richmond Symphony and Richmond Ballet Orchestras, Key West Symphony Orchestra, Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra, Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, Macon Symphony Orchestra, Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra, Hilton Head Symphony, Long Bay Symphony, Gainesville Symphony and Carroll Symphony Orchestra as well as the contemporary music ensemble “Currents,” and has toured extensively as percussionist and xylophone soloist with The Jack Daniel’s Silver Cornet Band. He has also made several guest appearances on National Public Radio, both in interviews, and live performances to bring public awareness to the marimba as a solo instrument.

Dr. Harnsberger is Assistant Professor of Music and Percussion Coordinator at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. He earned his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Performance and Literature at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where he also received the prestigious Performer’s Certificate. He is a performing artist and clinician for Malletech instruments and mallets, Sabian Cymbals, Ltd., Remo Drumheads and Grover Pro Percussion.