Born in Liverpool, England, Andrea grew up with the sibling singing tradition emphasizing harmony and a capella performance. Andrea’s mother was from Caernarfon, Wales, and moved to Liverpool with Andrea’s grandmother and grandfather (Nain and Taid) during WWII. As a result, Andrea and her brother, Straford grew up in a Welsh speaking household hearing traditional, Welsh songs from infancy.  They began singing in folk clubs throughout the North of England and Andrea was a regular at Liverpool’s Irish Centre. Their love of traditional folk music and a quest for adventure took them from Penzance to the Isle of Skye learning new material and performing along the way.

After moving to the United States, Andrea continued to sing with her brother, Straford. They collaborated with Oregon Symphony cellist, Jim Smith in the band Both Wild and performed at folk festivals and music venues throughout the US.  Both Wild released a CD recording in 2002 Just Say Nevoth.

In addition to the endeavor of Both Wild, Andrea pursued a variety of solo opportunities. She produced and hosted Irish, world folk and soul music programs on Portland’s independent KBOO radio. Her native wit and clear articulation earned her a go-to position within the community for hosting and emceeing all manner of music, cultural, charity and civic events.  Andrea joined PSU Chorale and earned a longed-for opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall.

In 2011, Andrea teamed up with Sean Nos dancer, Maldon Meehan with a goal to merge traditional forms of percussive dance and song for stage performance (and their own enjoyment). And thus was the birth of The Stomptowners, a project which continues to grow and please crowds from Portland to beyond.  Andrea also hosts a monthly unique event Global Folk Clubshowcasing folk music of diverse origins with a community singing component not unlike the folk clubs of Northern England.