“I have a passion for learning and for inspiring interest in learning,” says Andrew Oldham, the 17-year-old 11th-grader. “One of the ways I pursue this passion is by teaching piano. I really enjoy watching my students learn and progress. I love the feeling of helping a student overcome an aspect of music that they struggle with.” 

Andrew is the second of eight children in the Oldham family, with one older sister and six younger brothers, serving as a great role model for those brothers in both achievement and character. Andrew is well-rounded, excelling in academics while also participating in sports, choir, his church youth group, working as a piano teacher, having fun with friends, waterskiing and wakeboarding on Lake Windcrest, and actively contributing to his family.

Andrew has a long line of family members involved in music who inspired (or required) him to learn piano. “The more that I played, although it was hard in the beginning, the more I was able to see the ways I could use that gift to serve others,” Andrew shares. “Music brings a light that not many other things can. I am able to now use what I learned by learning to play the piano to appreciate beautiful music, play in church, sing in the school choir, accompany singers, and teach others to enjoy music.” Andrew says he owes all of this to his parents, who introduced him to music and pushed him along when he was unmotivated.

Outside of music, Andrew enjoys playing sports, namely football, basketball, and running track. After two football injuries, Andrew hung up his helmet and pads despite his love of the game, which was a hard decision for him. “From this experience I learned a valuable lesson that oftentimes in life we aren't going to get what we want,” Andrew says. “It is in this time where I really learned to just trust God and believe he has better things in store for me. Things will get in our way and block us from progressing to where we thought we needed to be, but it is in these moments that God is influencing us and building us to realize that He has a higher, better plan.”

In the future, Andrew hopes to become an orthodontist or work in the medical field in some capacity, noting two uncles and a grandfather who worked in those fields and have served as role models for Andrew. He hopes to make a positive impact on the world by serving a two-year church mission after he graduates high school. “It is in this time period where I will take a break from regular life to dedicate some of my time to God and serve his children,” he says. “By doing this I can show people the hope that Jesus offers. When I come back, I want to pursue a profession that allows me to help others. I also want to raise a family who loves each other.” In doing all of this, Andrew won’t just be teaching or playing music; he’ll be a part of the choir of the world, working to live in harmony each and every day.