Andrea Strauss

Dr. Andrea DeRenzis Strauss, originally from Clarence, New York, serves as the Conductor and Artistic Director of the Tara Winds Community Band. With thirty years of experience in teaching at both public and private schools across Georgia, she has instructed students from elementary through college levels. Dr. Strauss holds the distinction of being the first female college band director in Georgia. She formerly served as the Director of Bands at Georgia Tech and as an Associate Professor of Music at Shorter University. Her university ensembles have performed internationally in Australia, China, and Ireland, as well as at conferences for the Southern Division of CBDNA/NBA, Southern Division MENC, and GMEA. She was the Associate Director of the Atlanta Olympic Band for the 1996 Summer Olympics.

Dr. Strauss has guest conducted in Germany, Italy, Ireland, and Japan, and has performed or conducted at the Midwest Clinic on four separate occasions. She served as Rehearsal Lab Technician for the 64th Annual Midwest Clinic. She has conducted or adjudicated nationwide, and her international adjudication experience spans Canada and Europe. Dr. Strauss has presented at numerous conferences to include the NAfME National Conference. Dr. Strauss is a charter member of Tara Winds.