Andy Collinsworth is now in his 17th year of teaching instrumental music. Following a two-year sabbatical to pursue the Doctor of the Musical Arts degree at Arizona State University, Mr. Collinsworth recently returned to his position at Maria Carrillo High School in Santa Rosa, California, where he directs the Concert and Symphonic Bands, Jazz Band and teaches Advanced Placement Music Theory. Groups under his direction have consistently earned praise for their superior performances. The MCHS Symphonic Band has performed twice for the California Music Educators Association State Convention in Sacramento in 2000 and 2002, and at the 2005 CMEA Winter Conference at San Jose State University.

Mr. Collinsworth is a candidate (ABD) for the DMA degree at Arizona State University where he studied wind conducting with Professor Gary W. Hill. He served as a teaching assistant to Professor Hill, Dr. Wayne Bailey and Professor James Hudson in a variety of capacities with the ASU Wind Bands, Sun Devil Marching Band, and the undergraduate conducting program. Mr. Collinsworth holds two degrees from the University of Nevada at Reno (B.A. Music Education and M.M. Applied Saxophone) where he was a student of Drs. David Ehrke and A.G. McGrannahan III.

Mr. Collinsworth has served as an instructor, adjudicator and guest conductor throughout California. He is a member of the several professional organizations, including MENC, IAJE, and CBDNA, and has served in leadership positions with the Bay Section CMEA, the California Band Directors Association, and the Northern California Band Directors Association.