The Peru Gazette

Andrew Woodruff is familiar to those who have enjoyed the Keeseville-Peru Ecumenical Choir Christmas concerts. His exceptional talents, particularly his piano duets with Steve Collier, have left a lasting impression. Now, Andrew is ready to showcase his growth after three years of honing his skills as a music education and jazz studies student at Ithaca College. On the evening of Saturday, June 1, at seven p.m., we will be privileged to witness Andrew and five college friends in a recital at the United Methodist Church in Saranac.

The evening’s repertoire is a testament to the performers’ diverse musical interests and talents. We will be treated to a short Scriabin set of Poems, movements from Tchaikovsky’s “The Seasons,” a short rag, and a Chopin Waltz for solo piano. The collaborative repertoire is equally impressive, spanning German songs, musical theatre selections, 21st-century English song cycle selections, and a blazing, technical saxophone piece by Pedro Iturralde.

Andrew started piano at age four with his mom, Jeanette Woodruff, as his teacher. Later, he took private piano lessons and enjoyed playing the trumpet. As a student at Saranac Central, Andrew participated in school choirs, local vocal ensembles, and jazz ensembles at the regional and state levels. At Ithaca College, he studied with faculty with decades of experience and high-level training.

Four of his five friends visiting for this recital are vocalists, and the other is a saxophonist. They are all music education majors. 

Roli Zibuck, a soprano from Rochester, NY, performs with a capella group that recently placed at a regional competition and is a member of the Ithaca College Choir. 

Paige Socol, a soprano from Fairfield, CT, played a prominent role in this year’s opera, Le dernier sorcier (The Last Sorcerer).

Leah Monteleone, a soprano from Philadelphia, PA, performs with and is a section leader in the Ithaca College Treble Chorale.

Justus Crow, saxophone, is from West Point, NY. He is a recent Ithaca College Concerto Competition winner and performed with the IC Symphony Orchestra in their last concert.

Jack Lewis from New Hartford, CT, is a tenor who has a great interest and pursuit in musical styles of Jazz, Gospel, 21st-century art songs, and Musical Theatre. Jack has performed a diverse setting of music throughout college.