Andrei Baradayenka is a composer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist with a strong passion for teaching. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Composition from San José State University, where he studied composition under Dr. Christopher Luna-Mega and classical piano under Dr. Namiq Sultanov.
Andrei’s musical journey began at age 14 with the guitar, which remains one of his primary instruments. Over time, his curiosity and drive led him to develop proficiency across bass guitar, drums, keyboard, percussion, and vocals. This broad instrumental background allows him to guide students with a deeper understanding of rhythm, harmony, and ensemble playing, regardless of their primary instrument.
As a performer and songwriter, Andrei has been involved in numerous musical projects, primarily in rock-adjacent genres. He is an active member of the bands Nothing Over Silence and Climbing Trees, where he contributes as a lead vocalist, instrumentalist, and songwriter. He has written many hours of original music, some of which has been performed by ensembles and soloists at San José State University and featured in student short films.
Entering the classical music world first as a composer, and later as a performer, gives Andrei a distinctive perspective on music-making. In his teaching, he emphasizes strong fundamentals, music theory, creativity, and improvisation, helping students not only learn how to play, but also understand and enjoy the art of music. His wide-ranging interests also include music history, performance practice, genre and national styles, the physics of sound, and music production.