Born in Trinidad, André Heywood grew up and studied in Canada earning undergraduate degrees in both Biochemistry and Music Education. He then earned a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from the Don Wright Faculty of Music of the University of Western Ontario. During his tenure at UWO he was the recipient of numerous awards for academic achievement, vocal performance, conducting and teaching. He was also honored on the national stage for his writing by the Canadian Music Educator’s Association and for his research with a grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

André is a specialist in working with young male voices. He served as assistant conductor of the Amabile Boys’ Choir for two years after singing with the choir for over a decade. He is an adjunct instructor at Saint John's University where he directs the All-College Choir and serves as a Faculty Resident. He sings frequently with the Saint John's Abbey Schola and Gregorian Chant Schola and is a sought-after performer of liturgical music, art song, gospel, and musical theater. André is a member of ACCC, CMEA, the VoiceCare Network, and is the Boychoir Repertoire and Standards Chair for the ACDA of Minnesota.

Brandon Nordhues is in his first year with The St. John’s Boys’ Choir and is excited to be working with the Junior Varsity and Training Choirs. Brandon graduated from Saint John’s University in May of 2009 with a degree in Vocal Education and Vocal Performance where he studied voice and conducting with Axel Theimer. During his time at Saint John’s he served as music director of Saint John the Baptist Parish, worked for Campus Ministry at the College of Saint Benedict, cantored at Abbey Masses, tutored students in music theory, and was the music director for a St. Cloud Community Theater production. As a student teacher he worked with K-12 students in Sauk Centre in the Spring of 2009. After graduation he spent time working with the music department at CSB/SJU and has now located to Foley where he is the music director at Saint John’s Parish.