A native of Ukraine, Andrei Pidkivka graduated from the Lviv Conservatory, with a degree in both folk and classical music. By the time he was 18 he was already principal flutist for the Ukrainian folk ensemble, Unist. He has since then performed with several professional ensembles including the Lviv Philharmonic State Symphony Orchestra, Virnist. In 1992 Mr. Pidkivka was featured as a soloist on ethnic flutes with Ukrainian National Military Orchestra at the Second International Music Festival of Military Bands in Krakow, Poland. His talents have brought him to France, Germany, the Czech Republic and the United States. Since coming to the United States, he has received a Masters Degree in Flute performance at Youngstown State University. At the present time, Andrei is a Doctoral candidate in Flute Performance at Michigan State University. He makes ethnic flutes and gives presentations on Eastern European Folk Music at Universities and Colleges. He plays extensively in concerts and music festivals including performances at the Kennedy Center for the Arts, Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Folk Alliance Conference.