116 Oceanport Avenue
Building #2, 2nd Floor
Little Silver, NJ 07739
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Andrew Widger
Vocal Coach / Vocal Technique / Audition Prep / Piano Technique / Placement Director - In Person & Virtual
Email: andrew@theprepnj.com
Andrew Widger graduated from the University of Delaware in 2015 with a Bachelor's degree in General/Choral Music Education with a Specification in Voice. In his time there he participated in the production of the operas, sang in the elite Chorale choir (one of the most highly regarded college choirs in the Eastern U.S.), was a student actor with the professional REP theatre located on campus, and trained in voice and music education. After college Andrew was the playwright/director/actor of the touring children's theatre group IMPACT at Jean's Playhouse, writing the scripts for eight original children's musicals. Andrew then went on to be the choir director as well as the theatre and piano teacher at two high schools on the Eastern Shore in Maryland. While there, he prepared multiple high school seniors for their college auditions. After teaching in Maryland Andrew moved to New Jersey, performing in small shows around the city and going on a national tour of A Christmas Carol in 2017. Since then he's continued to teach and perform, and has been a Prep voice instructor since 2019. Andrew's goal in each student's lesson is to navigate finding and honing their natural singing voice, and improving their abilities through vocal technique and coaching.
Tour: PerSeverence's Production of A Christmas Carol (Nephew Fred/Dick Wilkins/Weezil/Undertaker); NYC: A Little Bit of Bobby- The Music of Bobby Cronin @ The Green Room 42 (Ensemble); Regional: Jean's Playhouse- IMPACT Children's Theatre (Playwright/Director/Actor), Interlakes Summer Theatre- Funny Girl (Mr. Keeney/Ziegfeld Director) Ragtime (J.P. Morgan, ensemble) Mamma Mia! (Bill Austin) A Chorus Line (Zach) I Do, I Do (Michael) Little Shop of Horrors (Dr. Orin Scrivello, D.D.S/etc.)
TESTIMONIALS
My daughter Hayley has been working with Andrew the past 5 months. Hayley came in trained but wanted to keep bettering her technique and keep learning. Andrew did just that and is very patient with his teaching. She really enjoys her weekly voice lessons with him!
-Melissa Pezza (Hayley Pezza's Mother)
Hayley just came off a run playing Lily St Regis in Annie JR and was recently named a title triple threat winner at Access Broadway.
I love working with Andrew. He has helped me grow vocally so much over the past year. He is positive and encouraging, and he makes it fun to learn. Even though he has helped me with my voice, what I like best is he cares about me even though we have never met in person. He asks about my interests, my sports, and just me in general. I feel like he cares about me as a person as well as wanting me to grow as a singer. I look forward to my time with Andrew each week!
-AnnaSophia Viccari
(AnnaSophia is currently preparing for her high school’s production of Shrek the Musical in March. She will play Dragon and Teen Fiona.
Our daughter started taking voice lessons with Andrew at The Prep this past fall and we have been nothing but impressed! Not only does she look forward to her lessons every week, but her voice and confidence have improved tremendously since starting only five months ago. Andrew recently prepared her for her very first audition and callback and to see her excitement after getting a featured roll despite being the youngest person to audition was truly priceless. He makes the lessons fun and interesting and is a patient and wonderful teacher. We are so glad to have found The Prep and Andrew and are looking forward to watching her grow as a singer and performer thanks to The Prep.
-Laura Rutkowsky
(Bella is currently cast as Waitress #1 in Rock of Ages at her middle school.)
Andrew is a talented, knowledgeable and caring instructor. My son is a bit shy and lacks confidence in his singing ability and Andrew knows exactly what to do to build him up and bring out the best in him. He’s improved so much in his vocals and his confidence working with Andrew over the past year. We highly recommend him.
-Carolyn Barber
(Luke is cast as the Duke of Weselton in Frozen Jr. at Shrewsbury School)
Andrew Widger has made a huge impact on my life, from making me be more confident in my singing skills and also making me a better singer in general. He was the first person I met at the Prep, and as soon as I met him I knew that the time I spent with him training at Prep would be amazing. He has helped me with so many auditions for roles in local shows, my school plays, and even for my high school application for the vocal program. He helps me work on my technique for singing, but one of the most important things is that he gets me out of my head. He encourages me to believe in my voice, which helps to make me and all his students more amazing at what they love, and I just can't thank him enough for all he has done.
-Mia Portelli
(Mia was recently in the ensemble of SpongebobSquarepants the Musical at Axelrod, and is currently rehearsing to play Young Simba in her school's production of Lion King Jr.)
Andrew is friendly, supportive, flexible, and clear with his direction. From lyrically breaking a song down and making distinct choices in terms of character development and blocking, to drawing that line in the virtual vs. in-person callback sand, Andrew works quickly and effectively to help produce results while keeping the process fun and engaging. If you're looking for your child to expand storytelling effectively through song for a variety of audience sizes and platforms, add Andrew Widger to your musical coaching arsenal STAT.
-Julie
We have been so fortunate to work with Andrew for vocal coaching. Andrew is caring, dedicated, kind, and responsive. Anytime there has been an upcoming audition, Andrew has worked diligently to ensure that Blake was as prepared as possible. Since working with Andrew, Blake has secured multiple performances including the lead in her school play. It is a pleasure to work with such a dedicated and hardworking professional who clearly cares for his students. The highlight of Blake's last play was when Andrew attended to cheer her on. We are so thankful for all of the support, coaching, and overall musical advising we receive and we can't wait to continue working with Andrew! He is truly the best!
-Blake Donovan