Andrew started the Press Play Orchestra with in September 2025, and has since served as the founding Music Director, as well as the CEO of the organization.

A lifelong musician, Andrew owes his entire professional career to film and video game music, as it was the iconic soundtrack to Titanic and other great soundtracks that inspired him to start learning piano, which eventually led to dreams of becoming a film composer. Before long, Andrew was writing deeply dramatic compositions that were clearly influenced by the memorable melodies, lush orchestration, and intense emotional imagery of film music and video game music.

Since then, Andrew has been privileged to serve as a Professor of Music at Kent State University, where he received his Doctor of Philosophy in Music Theory and Composition in 2019.

Andrew is now beyond thrilled to be bringing his passion and expertise to the Press Play Orchestra, in turn fulfilling a longtime childhood dream to help celebrate and advance these incredibly underappreciated artforms.

As the PPO Music Director, Andrew has created a host of exclusive arrangements for the Press Play Orchestra, including the “To the Stars”  suite from Titanic and “To Zanarkand” from Final Fantasy X.

Andrew began studying piano at the age of 6 and clarinet at age 8. As a clarinetist and bass clarinetist, he has performed with numerous classical groups across Northeast Ohio, including the Medina Symphony, Cuyahoga Falls Community Band, Parma Symphony, Symphony West, the Video Game Symphony, and the Cinematic Symphony Orchestra. Andrew founded the Serenity Chamber Players in 2017 to provide free classical and sacred music performances of rare and reimagined repertoire. The ensemble has had the opportunity to perform concerts across Ohio and in other states, including Maryland, West Virginia, and Michigan. Andrew also serves as the music and choir director for his church in Broadview Heights, Ohio.

Andrew received his B.S. in Accounting from the University of Akron, and holds a Masters Degree in Accounting from the University of Connecticut. He is an active Certified Public Accountant in the state of Ohio, and currently serves as the treasurer for his church. Andrew lives in Parma with his wife Hannah, and his three boys. In addition to his passion for music, Andrew is an avid fan of professional darts and rugby, as well as all Cleveland sports.

Jaclyn Kurtz is a dynamic and passionate music educator and choral musician with over 26 years of experience, inspiring students of all ages and skill levels. With a rich background that spans teaching general music from elementary to high school, voice instruction, and music theory at the collegiate level, Jaclyn brings unparalleled depth and expertise to her work. She holds advanced degrees in Vocal Performance and Music Theory from Kent State University, furthering her education in the music theory doctoral program at the University of Oregon.

Known for her versatile teaching style, Jaclyn has worked as a private voice and piano instructor at music schools like Woodsy’s Music and Falls Music School. Beyond teaching, Jaclyn has an impressive performance portfolio, featuring appearances in prestigious opera scenes and recitals. She has performed in works by composers like Mahler, Mozart, Brahms, and Verdi, captivating audiences at Kent State University and other venues. Her choral work extends internationally, having toured with choirs across the U.S., Ireland, England, and Italy.

A dedicated mentor and leader, Jaclyn seeks to nurture talent and foster a vibrant, thriving choral community wherever she goes. She’s a proud member of the Ohio Music Education Association and Pi Kappa Lambda, reflecting her commitment to excellence in music education and performance.

Kristopher Morron brings much to the table at the CSO, including deep roots in Northeast Ohio and 15 years of teaching and conducting.

A trombonist, he has been a member of an eclectic range of Cleveland-based groups and involved in numerous national tours and recordings. He began teaching band and orchestra in 2004 and in 2015 served as graduate conductor of the Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony. He holds degrees from Bowling Green State University and Case Western Reserve University.

Morron also has been active as a composer and arranger, often writing for the very groups of which he has been a member. He also contributed original music to the web series “Ringer$” and the animated short, “Astral Shift,” and created arrangements for a concert marking the 20th anniversary of the film “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”