George Andrikokus

George Andrikokus is the director of bands and instrumental jazz programs at Hinsdale Middle School. After graduating with a Bachelor of Music in Education from Elmhurst College in 2007, he taught in Addison School District #4 (2007-2013) and in Bensenville School District #2 (2013-2016), and served as director of the Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage (2012-2015). Under his leadership, George’s students have had the opportunity to perform at contests and festivals throughout the Midwest, such as the Illinois Music Education Conference (IMEC), the Jazz Education Network Conference, the Greater St. Louis UMSL Jazz Festival, and, most recently, the 77th Annual Midwest Clinic in December of 2023. In 2013, George received the Quinlan & Fabish Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award and the IGSMA Barbara Buehlman Young Conductor’s Award. He now serves as the Vice President of the Illinois Grade School Music Association and has his master's degree in Teacher Leadership from Elmhurst College (’20). In his professional career, George is an active clinician, adjudicator, saxophonist, and guest artist in and around Illinois for various district and state honors ensembles. George has had the opportunity to not only perform and teach in and around the Midwest, but also in Australia, England, and Malta. George has had the opportunity to perform with jazz greats Bobby Shew, Jim Widner, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Gary Smulyan, and many others. He is a member of the National Band Association, Jazz Education Network, Illinois Music Education Association, and the National Association for Music Education.