André Lombardi, Organ
A native of Irvine, California, André Lombardi is a Sophomore at Rice University studying with Professor Ken Cowan for Organ Performance alongside a dual degree in Social Policy Analysis. He is the recipient of the David and Andrea Hayes Full-Tuition Scholarship.
His musical journey began in the Diocesan Children’s Choir, and here he grew enamored with the organ, becoming an Organ Scholar at Christ Cathedral under David Ball. Since then, he has sung at St. Peter’s Basilica for a Papal mass, served as board-member-at-large of the OC American Guild of Organists, and performed at local venues such as Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park, San Diego featuring the world's largest pipe organ in a fully outdoor venue.
Today, he is the Organ Scholar under Dr. Crista Miller at Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Downtown Houston, Texas, accompanying the Cor Jesu choir, schola, and orchestra for regular masses and concerts. Andre also performs at masterclasses taught by esteemed organists like Isabelle Demers, Hector Olivera, and Johann Vexo, in addition to solo recitals in and between Houston and Southern California.
Andre is also eager to research and pursue tangible policy solutions to health and broader social issues after leading multiple health clubs and organizations in high school. By founding Kreative Kiddos, a non-profit empowering homeless youth through STEM education, he witnessed the potential of a class-blind all-the-while enriching education. He now aims to make the behemoth that is education more accessible through policy analysis and implementation. Altogether, Andre aspires to encourage his peers and future generations to probe their own artistic and scholastic possibilities.