Mentor Spotlight

Mentor Spotlight: Andrew Linn

January 20, 2021

Alumni, Career, Homepage News

Andrew Linn is a composer and audio producer in New York City and describes himself as a ‘builder of sounds.‘ He earned an undergraduate degree in trumpet performance from the KU School of Music in 2010. His compositions and arrangements have been performed across the United States, Europe, and India, most notably at the Montreux Jazz Festival and Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Outside of music, Andrew is also interested in film and comedy.

Andrew can help students with career and industry trends, chooseing a major, internship and job search strategies and more.

Connect with Andrew on KU Mentoring.

We’re highlighting Jayhawks who serve as mentors to fellow alumni and students to celebrate National Mentoring Month.

Tell us about your work. What is Andrew Linn Music?

I’m a composer and audio producer in the New York City area. I balance a variety of projects including: podcasts, film scores, commercials, audio logos, UI sound design, and more.

Some of my notable collaborations include New Balance Team, Hal Leonard Publishing Co, Himalaya, Scribd.com, Grind Studios, Studio Fontana, Velvet Green Music, TuneReel, Jellynote, SmartHer News, Sanity Media, Carrtoons, Gene Lake, NandoSTL, and Angela Parrish.

UpWork listed me as one of the top 30 audio producers in the New York City area.

How did your KU experience help you get to where you are now?

While in the KU School of Music, I had the unique opportunity to travel to three different continents to perform. Those experiences exposed me to different cultures around the world and showed me that amazing things are possible if you dedicate yourself to your craft. Ultimately it gave me the courage to move to New York to build a career in music and audio.

What advice do you have for current student musicians?

Music opportunities are healthiest when you bring a positive vibe to the project, so always keep a pulse on your mental health. It’s easy to hardwire your self worth to your abilities as a musician and it can cloud your perspective in the bigger picture.

Remember that you’re not alone in this journey. There are so many musicians out there that want to join you on your path. Focus on those people – not the ones that make you feel inadequate or don’t reciprocate.

Talk to music friends, support them. Lift others up like you want to be lifted. Believe in yourself, accept your failures, and have the strength to push forward.

Need a mentor? Want to serve as a mentor? KU Mentoring is open to students, alumni, faculty and staff, and friends of the University of Kansas. Professionals who are looking for opportunities to connect with KU and provide assistance to Jayhawks are also welcome. Learn more about KU Mentoring.