Andrea Humphrey (she/her) is the author of the Kindred Piano Method series and a piano instructor with over 25 years of experience. She has played piano since she was five years old and followed her older brother to piano lessons with her Auntie Mary. Following years of experience as a piano accompanist in school, church, and university, she began teaching advanced keyboards and music theory at a technical college while opening a private piano studio for younger students. Andrea graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in music therapy.
Her musical range expanded when, years later on an extended assignment to India with her husband and children, she continued working as both an instructor and in-demand pianist. This opportunity was a highlight of her years as a music educator as it increased her understanding of the value of making music education diverse and available to all.
Andrea is excited, with the publication of this series, to help connect piano students with traditionally underrepresented composers. And connect piano instructors with a clear, inclusive piano method that can confidently be sent into a student’s home.
About Andrea
About Kindred Piano
Lesson and Theory Book - Primer Level
Beginner piano instruction with clear illustrations, current pedagogy, and inclusive language and songs. Designed for all ages.
Featuring traditional songs and musical ideas from Africa, Canada, Western Europe, Israel, Korea, the United States, and more.
Highlights include introductions to composers and performers, centuries of song history and cultural significance.
New educational compositions include, “Bde Maka Ska", and “Una Bella Canción".
Lesson and Theory Book – Level One
Advanced-Beginner piano instruction focusing on scale and chord construction with current pedagogy, inclusive language and songs.
Featuring traditional songs from Austria, Cuba, Germany, Ghana, Israel, the kingdom of the Hawaiian Islands, and more.
Highlights include an in-depth look at composers and performers, sight-reading, and musical interpretation.
Lesson and Theory Book - Level Two
Late-Elementary piano instruction focusing on key signatures, scales, chords, and the connection between them.
Featuring traditional songs from Chile, China, Germany, India, Korea, and the United States.
Highlights include pieces from Baroque to Ragtime, works by lesser-known composers, and original, educational songs.
Performance Book - Level One
Repertoire book featuring traditional songs with program notes and song history. This book is a companion book for Kindred Lesson and Theory Book - Level One.
Serves as a standalone songbook for all ages with songs originating from West Africa, France, Israel, Mexico, and Norway.
New educational compositions with diverse subjects such as sustainability and artist bios.
Performance Book - Level Two
Repertoire book featuring traditional pieces with program notes and song history. This book is a companion book for Kindred Lesson and Theory Book - Level Two.
Highlights include several duets as well as pieces originating from Brazil, France, Japan, the kingdom of the Hawaiian Islands, Russia, and more.
Original compositions include subjects such as the International Space Station, and Grace Murray Hopper.
“Andrea is uniquely attuned to how children of all ages, abilities and interests develop as musicians. She tailors her teaching techniques to meet them where they are, and through her curriculum she encourages them to grow not only in their piano playing but also in their love and appreciation of music.”
-Gwen C.
Minnetonka, MN