Andrew Keller, Ph.D.
Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Music Director
Andrew started the Video Game Symphony with Jaclyn Kurtz in April 2023, and has since served as the founding music director, as well as the CEO of the organization.
A lifelong musician, Andrew owes his entire professional career to video game and film music, as it was the iconic soundtracks to Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy, and The Legend of Zelda that inspired him to start learning piano, just so he could play all of his favorite video game tunes. Before long, Andrew was writing deeply dramatic compositions that were clearly influenced by the catchy melodies, lush orchestration, and intense emotional imagery of film and video game music.
Since then, Andrew has been privileged to serve as a Professor of Music at Kent State University, where he received his Doctor of Philosophy in Music Theory and Composition in 2019.
Andrew is now beyond thrilled to be bringing his passion and expertise to the Video Game Symphony, in turn fulfilling a longtime childhood dream to help celebrate and advance this incredibly underappreciated artform.
Jaclyn Kurtz, M.A.
Co-Founder, President, and Artistic Director
Jaclyn Kurtz is a dynamic and passionate music educator and choral musician with over 26 years of experience, inspiring students of all ages and skill levels. With a rich background that spans teaching general music from elementary to high school, voice instruction, and music theory at the collegiate level, Jaclyn brings unparalleled depth and expertise to her work. She holds advanced degrees in Vocal Performance and Music Theory from Kent State University, furthering her education in the music theory doctoral program at the University of Oregon.
Known for her versatile teaching style, Jaclyn has worked as a private voice and piano instructor at music schools like Woodsy’s Music and Falls Music School. Beyond teaching, Jaclyn has an impressive performance portfolio, featuring appearances in prestigious opera scenes and recitals. She has performed in works by composers like Mahler, Mozart, Brahms, and Verdi, captivating audiences at Kent State University and other venues. Her choral work extends internationally, having toured with choirs across the U.S., Ireland, England, and Italy.
A dedicated mentor and leader, Jaclyn seeks to nurture talent and foster a vibrant, thriving choral community wherever she goes. She’s a proud member of the Ohio Music Education Association and Pi Kappa Lambda, reflecting her commitment to excellence in music education and performance.
Lorenzo Lopez, M.M.
Conductor
While completing his Master’s Degree, Lorenzo simultaneously served as the Conducting Fellow for the Indianapolis Youth Orchestra and Student Conductor for the Butler Symphony Orchestra. He also gained experience working with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, the Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra, and held a temporary position as Director of Orchestras at Purdue University. Since graduating, Lorenzo has held many guest conducting positions with CityMusic Cleveland, the Chamber Orchestra of New York, the Romanian Chamber Orchestra, and the Cleveland Ballet. Lorenzo is currently the Assistant Conductor for the Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra.
Andrew Perkins, M.S.A.
Assistant Conductor & Chief Development Officer
Andrew began studying piano at the age of 6 and clarinet at age 8. As a clarinetist and bass clarinetist, he has performed with numerous classical groups across Northeast Ohio, including the Medina Symphony, Cuyahoga Falls Community Band, Parma Symphony, Symphony West, the Video Game Symphony, and the Cinematic Symphony Orchestra. Andrew founded the Serenity Chamber Players in 2017 to provide free classical and sacred music performances of rare and reimagined repertoire. The ensemble has had the opportunity to perform concerts across Ohio and in other states, including Maryland, West Virginia, and Michigan. Andrew also serves as the music and choir director for his church in Broadview Heights, Ohio.
Andrew received his B.S. in Accounting from the University of Akron, and holds a Masters Degree in Accounting from the University of Connecticut. He is an active Certified Public Accountant in the state of Ohio, and currently serves as the treasurer for his church. Andrew lives in Parma with his wife Hannah, and his three boys. In addition to his passion for music, Andrew is an avid fan of professional darts and rugby, as well as all Cleveland sports.
Cody Burroughs, B.M.
Choir Director
Cody Burroughs is a vocalist and choral director from Northeast Ohio. Cody graduated from Kent State, with a Bachelor of Music degree in music education with a focus in Choral Music Education as well as a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance. He is an active musician and choral director within the Northeast Ohio area, gigging throughout Akron, Canton and Cleveland. He is currently a voice instructor at Akron Music Institute, where he offers voice lessons, vocal master-classes and choral clinics for local school choir programs. He also serves as the Director of Choirs at Trinity Lutheran Church in Kent. As the director, Cody specializes in creating a culture of excitement, camaraderie, comedy and joy for his students and choristers.
Cody has been described as a lyric tenor, with a strength in classical Bel Canto singing. Using his extensive choral vocal knowledge with his solo vocal training, he strives to work with and create well rounded vocalists. Cody attaches his late entrance into the music world and his professional education to help relate to students who struggle with music literacy. During his collegiate experience, he studied voice under GRAMMY award winning Musician, Jay White, where he studied an array of musical genres. Cody has performed in the Opera program at Kent State and was the assistant choral director for KSU’s Tenor/Bass group, Coro Cantare. While he was the assistant director, he spearheaded the recruiting process, growing the group from 9 singers to 22 singers. Cody recently was the Choir Director for Streetsboro High School and Middle School where he directed and rebuilt the choir program, consisting of over 200 singers spanning over six choirs.
Daley Biddle, M.M.
Concertmaster
Daley Biddle is a highly skilled and versatile violinist based in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. She is currently a Section Violinist with the Playhouse Square Orchestra, where she made her debut at a stirring The Legend of Zelda concert, and has held positions with the Ashland Symphony, the Fox Valley Orchestra, and the Mansfield Symphony, where she served as Acting Associate Concertmaster. She has also worked as a substitute musician for prestigious ensembles, including the Akron Symphony Orchestra, the Cleveland Chamber Symphony, and the Erie Philharmonic.
In addition to her orchestral work, Daley has performed with iconic artists such as Judy Collins, Johnny Mathis, Harry Connick, Jr., and The Eagles, contributing her talents to major concert tours and productions like “Jesus Christ Superstar” and Michael Bolton’s “Symphony Sessions.”
Daley holds a Master of Music in Violin Performance from Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music, where she studied under renowned teachers, including Blair Milton of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She also earned her Bachelor of Music degree, summa cum laude, from Arizona State University. Known for her precision, musicality, and wide-ranging performance experience, Daley continues to make a significant impact in both classical and contemporary music scenes.
