Andrew Benware (tenor)

Drew Benware joined the Tenor section of the Cayuga Vocal Ensemble in 2009, bringing with him an eclectic mix of professional training and musical experience.

Drew holds a Bachelor's of Music in Music Education from the Ithaca College School of Music with a concentration on the Trumpet, having studied in the studio of Frank G. Campos. After several years of public school teaching as the Director of Instrumental Music at Saranac Lake (NY) High School, Drew returned to Ithaca College for a Master's Degree in Choral Conducting, studying primarily with past CVE Musical Director, Lawrence Doebler. While pursuing his graduate diploma, Drew was an active performer in the choral and instrumental fields, participating in the Ithaca College Choir (complete with tours throughout the American Southeast and New England, and a performance of Verdi's Requiem at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall), the Ithaca College Madrigal Singers, Brass Choir, and the Divertimento Brass Quintet, among others.

Following the completion of his degree, Drew gained employment as the Director of Choral Activities in the Peru (NY) Central School District, after which he returned to Ithaca to join the faculty as an Assistant Professor of Instrumental Music Education at the Ithaca College School of Music where he teaches secondary instrument techniques and pedagogy, conducting, wind instrument pedagogy, and has supervisory duties over junior and senior level student teaching in area public schools. Drew is an active performer and conductor in many genres, most recently having provided the choral preparation work for the Lake Placid Sinfonietta's production of Mozart's Solemn Vespers, and as conductor of the Essex County (NY) All-County Women's Chorale.