Andrew Travers

Andrew Travers grew up in Sioux Falls and began studying music in the fifth grade following a performance of Jaws by a visiting orchestra recruiter.  What followed, with the help of lessons, camps, and competitions, was a growing love of music, performing and teaching.
After a magical summer attending the Interlochen Arts Camp and auditioning into the World Youth Symphony Orchestra, he attended college at the University of Connecticut and studied cello performance with Mary Lou Rylands.  After graduation he moved to Las Vegas, where he taught privately and in the Clark County School District, and played with the Las Vegas Philharmonic and in The Lion King at the MGM Grand.  Also during his time in Las Vegas, Andrew invested himself supporting Viola Fest and Bass Workshop, creating and running Cello Day, and teaching in the string program FAYM.  Travers was recognized by Nevada ASTA as an 2006 Emerging String Teacher of the Year.
In 2010, he returned home to Sioux Falls with his wife, Maria, who teaches Yoga, teaches and dances Ballet with LiRa Dance Company, and creates art.  They have two wonderful boys: Liam and Lysander.  Travers teaches private cello students, and orchestra at Sioux Falls schools: Ben Reifel Middle School, and Harvey Dunn Elementary School.  He is also a section cellist in the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra, President of the SCSP Players Committee, and an occasional section cello sub for the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra.
Travers received his Suzuki training thus far at the Music Institute of Chicago, at the Chicago Suzuki Institute in 2015 with Barbara Wampner for Book 1 following Every Child Can!; in 2016 again with Barbara Wampner for Books 2 and 3; in 2018 with Pamela Devenport for Books for and 5; and in 2021 with Shu-Yi Scott for Books 6 and 7 via Zoom.  Travers also earned his Level One Endorsement in Rolland String Pedagogy Summer of 2021.
Travers is currently directing Summer Youth Orchestra Camp in the Sioux Falls Community through Community Education in the SFSD.  This 6-week summer program serves over 120 students from 4th grade through 12th grade.  Travers finished serving as President of the South Dakota Chapter of the American String Teachers Association for the 2025-2026 term.