Grief and Gratitude: Reflections on Caregiving Concert

Grief and Gratitude: Reflections on Caregiving
A National Family Caregivers Month Concert Experience with Clarinetist Andrea Cheeseman

6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2 at the Campus for Creative Aging, 2920 Lakeview Ave., St. Joseph
 

Clarinetist Andrea Cheeseman put her freelance music career on hold in 2022 when she moved with her husband Bryan and dog Greta to Michigan from South Carolina to be caregivers for her parents. Her mother had recently been diagnosed with dementia, and it was clear that her father needed help. During the next four years, as often happens, both parents declined and needed extensive help with daily routines as well as evolving healthcare and financial needs. Within that time frame, Andrea was also diagnosed with breast cancer. This period was messy and life changing.
 

With the passing of her parents, Andrea is returning her energies to her performance career with a renewed vision and purpose. Her desire is to have conversations, through music, about the unexpected pivots that life brings and how even the most stressful life events are a time for growth, renewal and hope. During this concert, Andrea will perform works for clarinet and electronics that connect with both the traumatic and joyful parts of caregiving.

About Andrea
Andrea Cheeseman is a clarinetist and teacher living in Southwest Michigan. Throughout her career, she has been committed to playing good music and collaborating with inspiring people who challenge her.
 

A versatile performer, Cheeseman frequently performs as a soloist and chamber musician. Although she regularly performs traditional repertoire, she is an advocate of new music and is a sought-after performer of electroacoustic music written for clarinet and bass clarinet. Wishing to promote electroacoustic music, she has toured extensively, giving recitals and masterclasses throughout the country. Additionally, Cheeseman has been a featured performer at festivals such as the Third Practice Electroacoustic Music Festival and the Electroacoustic Barn Dance and has appeared at SEAMUS (Society of Electroacoustic Music in the United States) conferences. She has been described as “a skilled performer with an ability to connect to the audience. And comfortable in her own skin, she has the uncanny ability to slide into the soundscape as if she were physically part of it.” Cheeseman has premiered pieces by today’s leading composers and released her debut album Somewhere in September 2019 (Ravello).
 

Andrea has served on the faculties of Appalachian State University and Delta State University. Cheeseman earned the Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees in clarinet performance from Michigan State University and the Bachelor of Music degrees in clarinet performance and music education from Ithaca College.
 

When not teaching or performing, Cheeseman spends her time gardening, swimming, practicing yoga and perfecting her kimchi recipe. Please visit: Cheesemanclarinet.org