Andrew Nitkin

Biography

Andrew Nitkin is the original Founder and Director of the American Institute of Guitar in New York City, established over three decades ago. There he developed a specific curriculum geared towards the teaching of all styles of guitar playing as well as an international concert series that featured many of today’s great performers on the instrument. Andrew’s education includes having attended The College of New Jersey, Hunter College, and Mannes College of Music in New York City. His private studies included Howard Fraidkin, Leonid Bolotine, Ariadna Mikeshina, Mario Escudero, and Tiberio Nascimento. Andrew has performed in a variety of venues and settings over the years having performed chamber music with Juan Carlos Rybin of the Quartetto Amati, most recently The Sacred Hymns and Carols Choir of New Jersey, and on the Community Concert Series at the New Providence Memorial Public Library both as a soloist and ensemble player. Having been classically trained, his performing style is a mix of classical, Spanish, and Brazilian guitar. Since having left the American Institute of Guitar in 2004, Andrew joined the staff of Wharton's Performing Arts School in Berkeley Heights in 2005 as a faculty member and an administrator. He believes that the study of music helps to enrich and make for a better quality of life for every person who chooses to pursue it. That is his life’s passion and mission.