Cellist Andrew Cook received his bachelor’s degree from the Peabody Conservatory under Stephen Kates and in 1987 went to study with Lynn Harrell at the University of Southern California. As a member of the Peabody Honors String Quartet, Mr. Cook performed live broadcasts for National Public Radio and Radio France, a command performance for Princess Grace of Monaco, and a performance at the Palace of Versailles. In 1988, he joined the Valcoeur String Quartet, then artists-in-residence at the University of Arizona in Tuscon.

In 1990, Mr. Cook represented the U.S. at the Ninth International Tchaikovsky Cello Competition in Moscow. He has been a guest artist with the Ensemble of Santa Fe and the Lark String Quartet and has also been a guest at the Cerventino International Festival, Musica Da Camerata Festival, Grand Teton Festival, Aspen Music Festival, Music Academy of the West and San Miguel de Allende.

Mr. Cook was a founding member of the Vista Trio which has performed worldwide and has released two recordings on the Vision Records label. He has released his own solo compact disc of short concert pieces for cello and piano entitled “After a Dream.”

In addition to his posts as Artist-Teacher and Chamber Music Department chair at PCM, Mr. Cook is a cello professor at Pepperdine University. He has also served on the faculties of Goucher College and California State University Northridge. In addition to being the cofounder and artistic director of the Gold Coast Chamber Music Festival, he has been a faculty member at many other music festivals. Mr. Cook has worked on music scores for countless films with celebrities including John Williams, James Horner, Barbara Streisand, Randy Newman, and Marvin Hamlisch.