When you first see Steven Andrews, you see a composed young man who radiates a calm demeanor, and you would never guess that his life is filled with enough responsibilities and engagements to fill an agenda for three people.
With a double major in music and computer science, Andrews has managed to juggle this unlikely pair of disciplines.
Others often ask why he chose two majors that are so opposite of each other.
“I feel fortunate because it’s helped me develop both sides of my mind,” Andrews said. “When you combine both of them, the possibilities are limitless.”
When Andrews first came to the University of La Verne, he had three years of computer science under his belt.
He was convinced computer science was the only way to go, but was soon encouraged to take another path.
Scott Farthing, the head of the music department at the time, asked to hear Andrews sing since he was new to La Verne and was taking an elective course in voice.
Farthing was blown away and asked Andrews if he had any previous vocal training.
Other than participating in the school and church choirs, Andrews responded that he did not.
With Farthing’s encouragement, he decided to pursue a minor, which soon became a major in music, focusing on vocal performance.
“I discovered that music wasn’t just something that I was good at but something I could pursue as a career, and that I enjoyed,” Andrews said.
On April 17, Andrews performed his senior recital in a one-man show at the First United Methodist Church in Pasadena.
He performed songs in English, German, Italian and French, as well as Old English.
“The senior recital is a very important part of a student musician’s experience,” Stephen Gothold, professor of music, said.
“To present an entire program alone is a daunting task, and represents a great deal of work,” Gothold added.
Andrews said he did not accomplish this alone.
“In any performance, even solo voice, it’s not me singing on my own, it is a duet between myself and the accompaniment,” Andrews said.
Pianist Eun Young Sohng accompanied Andrews at his recital, and helped make it a beautiful performance.
This humility is part of what makes Andrews so approachable and an extraordinary young man.
On top of tackling two majors with a GPA of 3.96, Andrews runs the morning care program weekdays at St. Christopher’s School in West Covina.
“I love kids, and I enjoy working with them,” Andrews said. “People are very important to me. I’m always looking for what I can contribute.”
Andrews always seeks out a challenge.
He admits that he thrives on taking on new projects, whether it be in school, at work or in his personal life, he is always willing to lend a helping hand.
“Steven is always doing something to make himself better as a performer, as a student, and just technically as a singer,” Rebecca Tuttle, a fellow music major, said.
“Therefore, as a colleague, he challenges me to do everything I can to be better.”
Andrews says that he was not always this way.
“I used to be a quiet, shy person, always within myself, Andrews said. “It wasn’t until I came to La Verne that I started to perceive the world around me. I’ve developed a lot, not only intellectually, but as a human being.”
With the encouragement of members from the music department, family and friends, Andrews blossomed into what he is today.
Andrews is doing his internship this semester.
“The CEO of the company was bragging by saying that Steven was able to complete a task in two days and normally his employees would have finished the task within a month,” said Seta Whitby, chairwoman of the computer science program. “In my opinion, he is brilliant and I am very proud of him.”
Yet, Andrews maintains his humble attitude.
“I’ve always said that the greatest people in the world are those who know everything and act as though they know nothing.”
Cindy Lopez can be reached at clopez6@ulv.edu.
