ANDREA BOGUSKO

Andrea Bogusko has taught generations of students how to become great musicians, but, in order to do so, she needed to become an excellent musician herself. Much of her work — both her influence on others and her personal musicianship —  has passed through the local Music Company that bears her name. Still, Bogusko is known beyond Luzerne County as a leader in music teaching, and she has performed on stages that are internationally renowned.

As a quiet child, Bogusko used music as a tool of expression. Despite her more reserved personality, she was certainly talented enough to perform on television in her younger years, and was taught by the great piano teacher Anne Liva. Bogusko went on to receive her bachelor’s degree from Wilkes University, and later continued her personal education at Marywood University and the Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University.

As a musician, Bogusko has performed as both a soloist and as a member of ensembles. From small gatherings to performances by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, Bogusko has participated in just about every classical music arrangement. Her talents have been well seen over the years, as she has played for American presidents and governors. She also spent time as an accompanist to others, including veteran acting and Luzerne County legend James Karen.

Locally, Bogusko is most known for the Andrea Bogusko Music Company, which originally opened in the mid-1970s on Academy Street in Wilkes-Barre. The business moved to its current location on Wilkes-Barre Township Boulevard in 1984, and has been a pillar of the community ever since. In addition to Bogusko herself, many of her family members have helped to make the Music Company a safe space for young people to develop their musical expression.

The Andrea Bogusko Music Company offers musical learners a variety of lessons, and doesn’t turn any prospective musicians away. Those who are young and old have been taught by the Music Company staff, including Andrea herself. Ultimately, a number of these students have gone on to perform on impressive stages, including Carnegie Hall and Radio City Music Hall.

In addition to the lessons taught within its walls, the Andrea Bogusko Music Company also serves the community through its retail services. Percussion, brass, woodwind, and string instruments — and much more — are available for purchase, as are repair services for damaged instruments. Otherwise, the Music Company allows students to rent pianos and other orchestral instruments while they participate in their school’s music program.

Bogusko served as one of the key organizers of the Luzerne County & Beyond Got Talent show, a regional showcase for local performers hosted at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts. In fact, Bogusko has inspired much appreciation for the arts and theatre with her leadership, having chaired numerous bus trips to operas and Broadway shows.

Bogusko has long held regional leadership positions in the Northeastern Pennsylvania Music Teachers’ Association and the National Guild of Piano Teachers. Formally, she spent a few years as a public school music teacher, and subsequently taught as an adjunct professor at King’s College. Elsewhere in the community, Bogusko is known for her service as organist and choir director at Our Lady of Hope Parish, and is responsible for writing the music and lyrics to Holy Redeemer High School’s alma mater.

Over time, Andrea Bogusko has built an inclusive culture of music around her brand name in Luzerne County. She has opened the door for many young musicians to refine their craft, and many of them have gone on to accomplish wonderful things in their respective styles. Independent of the artists she has helped to build, Bogusko has crafted an impressive career filled with the sounds of fellow masters.