Sergeant First Class Kristen Mather de Andrade joined the West Point Band in 2007 and has been the principal clarinet of the Concert Band since 2013. In addition to her work with the band, she has built a career as both a clarinetist and vocalist, earning accolades as a solo artist. Her passion for new music and crossing genres has led to the release of multiple critically acclaimed albums. In reviews, Scott Adams in Connect Brazil said her “masterful musicianship captures the spirit and soul of Choro and Samba in a lively, personable way,” while Textura.org said, “Any deficiencies in a musician’s technique are quickly exposed in a solo or duo arrangement, but one would have to look very hard indeed to find any such crack in Mather de Andrade’s armour.” In addition to her solo releases, she can also be heard on the West Point Band album “Quintette 7 Plays the Music of Raymond Scott.” Sgt. 1st Class Mather de Andrade has given master classes and professional clinics on careers in music at universities across the United States, encouraging young musicians to find their unique path in music. She is a voting member of the Recording Academy (GRAMMYs).
