I am pleased to announce the release of a new album – Laura  Mills, A Vintage Christmas, and my part in it.

Yours truly had a great time “laying down the piano parts” with her in my Rockville studio for 8 of the 11 tracks on the album.

I believe you’ll agree that Laura Mills has a terrific voice,  and she does a great job using it to share her heart with us and love for the songs on this  album .  From  ”Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”, to “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”, and “O Holy Night”, these songs are sure to  put you in that special Christmas mood.

You can listen to the demo tracks,  or better yet,  order yours now for just $11.99 to get instant access to all 11 songs by digital download.  If you want a physical CD, just use my contact form here, and I’ll get back to you with all the details on how we can get the physical CD to you.

In April 2011, I worked with Soprano, Mary Gresock, to introduce over 900 Charlottesville area students to the joys of opera in an outreach program sponsored by Ash Lawn Opera.  Mary Gresock and I were interviewed by Adrienne Lawrence, a reporter with The Frederick News Post, and the interview was the lead story in the Lifestyle section of their website this week.

Here is a link to the interview story.

“Andrew was an incredibly supportive and versatile pianist in Ash Lawn Opera’s Education and Outreach performances in 2011. He supported soprano and Teaching Artist, Mary Gresock, in 14 performances for over 900 children in Albemarle County and graciously played in any key that Mary or the children needed. It’s rare to find such a collaborative and enthusiastic pianist!”

Michelle Krisel, General Director, Ash Lawn Opera Festival

“He is a pleasure to work with — an extremely accomplished pianist who offers strong collaborative support to his fellow performers.”

Elizabeth (Liz) Daniels, M.M., B.A., maintains a large private voice studio in Silver Spring, MD and is on the adjunct voice faculty at The Curtis Institute of Music and The Catholic University of America. She also is a master voice teacher for the Washington National Opera Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program

On January 24th at 7PM, Andrew Kraus joins Bethesda based cellist, Laurien Laufman, for The Transcribed Cello. Ms. Laufman, former Professor of Music at the University Illinois and protege of Janos Starker and Aldo Parisot, among others, describes the event as, “…an entire recital ‘borrowed’ from the repertoire of other instruments…”. Program details available here.

Want to attend?

Though a private affair, the performers have been told that we could invite “a few” guests of our own. Please contact Andrew Kraus using the form here if you’d like to join us for this event. If we still have some invitations, you’re in.

“He is a fine pianist, a true artist, and a very rare combination of virtuoso and collaborator.” –In Dal Choi, Vocal Area Coordinator, James Madison University School of Music

“He is a brilliant player and astonishingly versatile.” –Lily Kraus, former Artist In Residence, Texas Christian University

“He is a strong pianist, with a solid virtuoso technique. In fact, I do not think there is anything he cannot do at a keyboard.” –Joan Dornemann, Assistant Conductor, The Metropolitan Opera

“..the pianist who listens.” –Robert Dick, Flutist & Recording Artist

“Andy has been a superb piano teacher (of the Josef Hofmann/Leopold Godowsky lineage) and a sublime accompanist… he demonstrated an amazing understanding of, and gift for, the interpretation of each style of music, idiomatically and periodically.” –Kenneth Moulton, President, Mantovani Production Associates