Andrew Trechak is Associate Professor of Piano and Director of Keyboard Studies at Wichita State University where he has taught since 1980. He has degrees from the Oberlin Conservatory, Stony Brook University and the University of Texas. While in high school he also had influential studies at the Juilliard Preparatory and Extension Divisions in piano and conducting.
His doctoral treatise dealt with the rhythmic style found in performances of Chopin’s music by performers of the early twentieth century and argued for a freer style of agogic nuance in performance. His teachers include John Owings, Jack Radunsky, Martin Canin, Gilbert Kalish and William Race. As a student he was the first winner of the Houston Symphony Young Artist competition and won prizes in the Carnegie Hall Jeunness Musicales Auditions, the National Young Artist Competition at Midland-Odessa, the Southwest Pianists Foundation Concerto Competition, and the International Recording Competition Artist Division sponsored by the National Piano Guild.
Dr. Trechak has served as president of the Wichita Area Piano Teachers League and is a much sought-after teacher, chamber musician, and soloist. He is a dedicated ambassador for the cause of great music and has given many concerts for young people. He launched his own innovative concert-show format called “Piano Magic†which combines stage magic with the performance of serious classics. Under the aegis of the Kansas Arts Foundation he performed these concerts many times throughout the Midwest and recently received the Excellence in Special Fine Arts Endeavors Award from the College of Fine Arts at Wichita State.