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Andrea Diggs
Andrea Diggs is a native of Madisonville, KY and a classically trained pianist from the age of four. She received her Bachelors of Music Education from Murray State University (Piano/Voice), a Masters of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Louisville and her Administrative Leadership Certificate from Western Kentucky University. Andrea is a former Miss Black Kentucky and throughout her career has travelled to both Africa and Europe to perform while being made a Goodwill Ambassador to the Gambia.
She has worked as an actress and dancer in community theatre as well as behind the scenes as a musical director for years. Andrea worked as both an accompanist and director to the West Louisville Boys and Girls Choir; eventually branching out to start the Visionary Youth Choir which assisted many students in vocal training and acceptance into the Youth Performing Arts School.
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​She has taught every grade level from preschool to seniors in College; worked with community and professional choirs, theatres, ensembles and production companies on many occasions. As an educator in the public school system for fourteen years and an administrator in the private sector, she believed in utilizing her resources and network to assist students have opportunity and access to the Arts. During her time as a teacher, she became known for building programs at schools where one did not exist.
Her choirs often would score both Proficient and Distinguished marks at the yearly performance assessment. She has presented Professional Developments on the school and district levels in both music and social emotional learning and restorative justice. When transitioning to Administration, Andrea worked as a Behavior Specialist and Magnet Coordinator; providing one on one and group SEL lessons, interventions with students and families as well as connecting school wide conferences with local celebrities for inspirational speeches.
She was asked to give a presentation and community conversation on Anti Racist Music Pedagogy held by the Jefferson County Public Schools' Diversity, Equity and Poverty Department that was well attended by current and future music pedagogues at the primary, secondary and the collegiate level.
She served as a District 12 Choral Chair for the Kentucky Music Educators' Association and now belongs to the Texas Music Educators Association and Professional Accompanist roster of Trekorda and UIL. She was excited to work with the TMEA Region 20 District Choral Concert as well as the UIL Solo & Ensemble Festival as a Judge in the Piano Sector. She has worked as a pianist at Moore Temple COGIC and as a Minister of Music at St. Augustine Catholic Church and Quinn Chapel AME Church. She most enjoyed her time working with the Bates Memorial Baptist Church on their Gospel Nativity Productions as Vocal Musical Director.
These experiences have given her a holistic view of the arts and served her well during her time as Executive Director and Head of School of Sacred Heart School for the Arts from 2018- 2021. During her time there, she gained invaluable experience as the Co-Chair of the District Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and the District-lead of Community Outreach. Her skill set grew in strategic planning, employee mediation, HR processes, budget forecasting, district-wide scheduling, grant-writing and management.
Andrea connected the campus and community at wide with Professional Broadway performers touring through Louisville who provided instruction, guidance and tips for students and parents alike. During the unpredictable years of 2020 and 2021, under Andrea's leadership, SHSA was the only Accredited Arts School in the state of Kentucky to safely re-open for daytime and afternoon courses as well as produce a full season of 10 productions that offered both in-person and virtual streaming options. She also used her platform to amplify the voices of other artists during a time of turmoil in Louisville, KY after the shooting and protests of Breonna Taylor.
Andrea's network came together to help her curate and produce the Black365 Arts Series that shined a light on the many talented performing artists in the Metro Louisville Area while also paying homage to the many that came before us. For her dedication and innovative work she was awarded the St. Angela Award.
Andrea is currently the Executive Director of Kidsview Inc., a non-profit she founded that serves as a hub of resources and instructors in the visual and performing arts that are available for programmatic needs. After relocating to Dallas, she helped rebuild the Choral and Piano Studies Department for James Madison High School in Dalias ISD. She serves as Music Director at The Gate Church North Dallas and St. Paul UMC. She is currently serving as a Dean with Uplift Education. She is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity.
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Andrea is the wife of Charles Diggs III and the mother of Cadence, Chrysette and Charles IV. She is thankful to God for the many blessings on her life, for her family's continuous support throughout her journey; the many teachers who have poured into her and especially her mother who had the foresight to provide her piano lessons as a child.