Maestro Andy Anderson has emerged as a prominent conductor in the world of opera and

musical theater, praised for his “solid musical support from the podium” (The Sondheim Review)

and his “fluidity, control, musicality, and palpable sympathy with the singers” (Kansas City

Star). Based in New York, Anderson's broad expertise—from Sondheim to Wagner—has earned

him a reputation for versatility, expressivity, and collaboration. He “wields his baton like a

magic wand” (The Tennessean), delivering “a subtlety and care that allows beautiful melodies to

flow in a totally idiomatic fashion without overpowering the singers,” as noted by Opera News.

Anderson currently serves as the Music Director, Principal Conductor, and Company Manager

for Opera Idaho, where his recent work includes productions of Roméo et Juliette, Suor

Angelica/Gianni Schicchi, La traviata, and the company’s popular Opera in the Park series.

Looking ahead, he will return to Opera Idaho to lead productions of Sweeney Todd in fall 2025

and Thaïs in spring 2026, as well as Un ballo in maschera with Winter Opera St. Louis in early

2026.

A sought-after guest conductor, Anderson’s 2024 engagements included Così fan tutte with

WTAMU Opera Theater, The Pirates of Penzance with Raylynmor Opera, and Il tabarro with

Marble City Opera. In early 2025, he returned to Anchorage Opera to conduct Madama

Butterfly, and later that year he rejoined Marble City Opera for Pagliacci and made his debut

with Teatro Grattacielo conducting Mascagni’s L’amico Fritz.

Highly regarded for his leadership and versatility, Anderson has held key positions including

Artistic and Music Director of Mobile Opera, Assistant Conductor of the Lyric Opera of Kansas

City, and Artistic Director of the Civic Opera Theatre of Kansas City, where he led productions

ranging from Falstaff and Le nozze di Figaro to Edgar, Street Scene, and Passion.

He made his international debut in 2017 conducting Don Giovanni with the Stara Zagora State

Opera in Bulgaria and has since conducted for companies across the U.S., including Rimrock

Opera, Amarillo Opera, Raylynmor Opera, Opera Ithaca, Marble City Opera, Charlottesville

Opera, and Anchorage Opera. His recent credits also include his debut with Opera Ithaca

conducting Le nozze di Figaro and a critically acclaimed performance of Floyd’s Susannah with

Marble City Opera.

Beyond the podium, Anderson is the creator and host of the popular podcast “The Mischievous

Maestro” exploring the ‘behind the scenes’ history of some of opera’s most beloved creations.

A committed educator, he has served on the faculty of New York University’s Steinhardt School,

where he taught conducting for music education majors and served as a guest instructor in

conducting at The Aaron Copland School of Music - Queens College.

With Anderson, “there is no shortage of talent on display” (Kansas City Star), and his continued

presence on both the stage and as an administrator ensures a lasting contribution to the future of

opera and musical theater.