ABOUT ANDREW

With a distinctive blend of intensity, enthusiasm, and technical precision, American conductor Andrew Grams has earned a reputation for his dynamic performances, deep connection with audiences, and commitment to long-term orchestral development.

Winner of the 2015 Conductor of the Year award from the Illinois Council of Orchestras, Grams has led prestigious ensembles across the United States, including the Chicago Symphony, Detroit Symphony, National Symphony Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Dallas Symphony, and Houston Symphony.

In 2013, Grams was appointed Music Director of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra following an international search, where he cultivated a loyal following over his eight-season tenure. His charismatic conducting style, combined with his approachable demeanor, made him a beloved figure among Elgin's audiences.

An esteemed international presence, Grams has conducted numerous orchestras abroad, including the symphonies of Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and Vancouver, Orchestre National de France, Hong Kong Philharmonic, BBC Symphony Orchestra in London, and symphonies across Australia and New Zealand, including those in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Tasmania, and Western Australia. He has also worked with the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra and Het Residentie Orchestra in The Hague. Grams has led celebrated productions of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® with New York City Ballet and conducted the premiere of the Norwegian National Ballet’s new production of The Nutcrackerin Oslo. In September 2023, he conducted the ARD Competition Finals with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, and in September 2024, he made his highly anticipated BBC Proms debut with Chineke! Orchestra, earning widespread acclaim.

A passionate educator, Grams has worked with emerging talent at leading institutions including the New World Symphony, Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Curtis Institute of Music, Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, Cleveland Institute of Music, Indiana University, Manhattan School of Music, Roosevelt University, National Orchestral Institute at the University of Maryland, and the Amsterdam Conservatorium.

Born in Severn, Maryland, Grams began his musical journey studying violin at the age of eight. He earned a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from The Juilliard School in 1999, followed by a conducting degree from the Curtis Institute of Music in 2003, where he studied with Otto-Werner Mueller. Grams also attended the American Academy of Conducting at Aspen in 2003 and 2004, where he worked with renowned conductors David Zinman, Murry Sidlin, and Michael Stern. From 2004 to 2007, he served as Assistant Conductor of The Cleveland Orchestra under Franz Welser-Möst, returning for several engagements thereafter.

In addition to his conducting career, Grams is an accomplished violinist. From 1998 to 2004, he was a member of the New York City Ballet Orchestra, serving as acting associate principal second violin in 2002 and 2004. He has also performed with esteemed ensembles such as the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Brooklyn Philharmonic, and New Jersey Symphony.