Andrew O’Donnell is a young conductor based in the East Bay. He previously served as Principal Clarinet of the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra, and is currently Lecturer of Clarinet at the University of California, Berkeley. Before moving to the Bay Area, Andrew obtained degrees in Clarinet Performance from the Juilliard School and Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, and frequently performed with the San Antonio and Baltimore Symphony Orchestras. While attending Rice University, he was awarded the prestigious Presser Graduate Music Award. As a clarinetist, Andrew has performed under notable conductors including Alan Gilbert, Gianandrea Noseda, Vladimir Jurowski, and Michael Tilson Thomas, and has collaborated with pianist Emanuel Ax. An avid proponent of new music, Andrew has performed dozens of world premieres and has commissioned works by living composers for performances in Houston and New York City.

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In addition to conducting for Oakland Community Orchestra, Andrew also serves as Assistant Conductor for the Piedmont Chamber Orchestra and the Oakland Civic Orchestra. His conducting studies have included workshops with Donald Schleicher and Kenneth Kiesler, and he continues to be mentored by conductor Martha Stoddard.

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