Sydney Andersen holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida and a Master’s from DePaul University. She’s currently a section cellist for Gainesville Symphony; substitute for Ocala Symphony, Space Coast Symphony, and Punta Gorda Symphony; and has been a founding member of multiple independently run orchestras in Chicago including the Intermezzi Ensemble and Chicago Opera Productions. She has held multiple teaching positions through USF and DePaul; acting as the USF Community Music Project’s cello instructor, the USF Music Theory Teaching Assistant for levels I through IV, and a DePaul Community Music Division Teaching Artist. She has freelanced throughout the Midwest and Southeast in weddings, funerals, corporate events, and church services- and has even performed for several politicians, including the mayor of Chicago. She believes that the primary goal of music is communication and genuine human connection, and enthusiastically plays classical pieces, Arabic music, reggaeton, or top R&B hits.
