Say Hello to Drew Preston. With notable achievements and diverse musical backgrounds, Drew now shares his experience through teaching and fascinating performances.
After playing his first gig for a 50th birthday party at the age of 14, Drew Preston knew he had a future in music. Growing up in Lexington, SC, Drew found his musical interest early in life thanks to his family’s love for the arts. He began playing violin at the age of 10 and used this knowledge to teach himself the mandolin at 12. Soon after, Drew began playing by ear and sitting in on bluegrass and gypsy jazz jam sessions. His interest in improvisation eventually led to his participation in the UofSC jazz strings quintet, coached by Dr. Craig Butterfield and Dr. Burt Ligon. In high school, he expanded his performance opportunities by playing for weddings, parties, and occasional rock n’ roll bass with local bands. In 2015, he was invited as a solo violinist to perform the Theme from Schindler’s List at the SCMEA (South Carolina Music Educators Association), accompanied by the SC Elementary Honors Choir. At ages 13 and 17, he was a concertmaster of the South Carolina Youth Philharmonic Orchestra. He concluded his senior year at River Bluff high school as the winner of the National School Orchestra Award, the highest honor given to a high school orchestra member.
During his time at the University of South Carolina, Drew played under the baton of Dr. Donald Portnoy and Dr. Scott Weiss in the UofSC Symphony Orchestra. A passion for orchestral music inspired him to begin studying conducting during his sophomore year. In the summer of 2018, Drew attended the Los Angeles Conducting Workshop in Glendale, California. The following summer, he traveled to Sofia, Bulgaria to study with Larry Rachleff and Donald Schlicer at the International Conducting Workshop. In the fall of 2019, Drew organized a small ensemble to conduct Haydn’s 3rd Symphony in his senior recital.
One-on-One Music Lessons
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Drew has 15 years of experience with his primary instrument. His violin instruction includes orchestral, bluegrass, jazz, and pop music. As a frequent performer and entertainer, Drew aims to educate his students so they may share their talents and passions with their community.
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At the University of South Carolina, Drew received his bachelors degree in music education as a strings player in 2016. Here, he learned to teach beginning to intermediate strings on viola, cello and double bass.
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At the University of South Carolina, Drew received his bachelors degree in music education as a strings player in 2016. Here, he learned to teach beginning to intermediate strings on viola, cello and double bass. Along with violin and mandolin, Drew regularly performs on the cello for weddings and other events.
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Drew taught himself how to play the mandolin at the age of 12 based on his experience and knowledge from the violin. His newfound understanding of chord voicings introduced him to the world of bluegrass and folk music on the mandolin which has influenced his song writing to this today.
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Drew’s interest in the ukulele began from an early childhood music class he took while studying at the University of South Carolina. Due to the instrument’s approachable nature, Drew uses the instrument to teach beginning musicians simple songs such as “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”.
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With guitar, Drew aims to go further in his teaching than learning the 4 chords needed to play most pop tunes. As with all of the instruments he teaches, Drew demonstrates how to listen, position/technique, and basic music theory to elevate his student’s understanding of their instrument, and music as a whole.
Drew with Pamela Hayes, co-author of the Essential Elements book series, performing with the Aiken Symphony Orchestra in April of 2023.
Hear Me Play
“Mediation from Thais” - Jules Massenet
“Kent’s Song” - Original
“Chinese Breakdown” - Traditional