FILMMAKER . BALLADEER . creative force
"A mellifluous tenor, with the voice of sunrise..."
An award winning vocalist, Andy captivates prodigious audiences, transforms intimate groups, steals the show in movie musicals, commands stages near and far, enchants galas and festivals, breathes fresh air into film scores, invites healing through music spirituality, and indeed much more. He performs, composes and records across a vast swath of music genres on stages and in studios around the world. Still, Andy is called Balladeer.
Andy is a regular studio session recording artist for legendary composer and songwriter Philip Springer [Santa Baby, (How Little It Matters) How Little We Know, Gunsmoke], recording over a dozen of Springer’s latest songs. To be called “a great talent” and selected by Maestro Springer is one of Andy’s highest honors, considering that Springer has also written for and recorded with Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Judy Garland, Eartha Kitt, Dusty Springfield, Aretha Franklin, and Johnny Hartman, to name only a few!
2016, Andy's performance under the direction of legendary filmmaker Rob Reiner hit theaters across the U.S., later released on DVD and Netflix. In 2015, Andy starred as the villainous big city producer Jack in the sensational new movie musical Lovestruck! (for a peek at the unedited 'raw' footage, just click its video on this page; to watch the full film, click here).
Andy debuted in New York City as soloist Off-Broadway in a musical blend of artistry with award-winning Manhattan composer Seth Bisen-Hersh. He was invited to headline with Tzumba in the Utah statewide festival Ferragosto, debuting later on Gallivan Center main stage in downtown Salt Lake City. Other highlights include an historic recorded compilation of the songs of Luigi Gordigiani (hailed as "the Italian Schubert") and the principal tenor role of Alma in the international television broadcast debut of Abinadi, a music drama. Andy unbridled his love for Neapolitan folksong while living and performing a number of years in Italy. Other credits include multiple invitations as vocalist for Utah Pride Galas, Gherardo in Puccini's Gianni Schicchi, solo in Verdi's La Traviata, historic broadcasts with members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and earlier leads in popular community musical theater productions.
by R. Falvo / E. Fusco
by guy clark; interpreted by andy fernuik
[click video to play]
Comedy, Musical, Western, Romance, Action, Fantasy, Drama, Industrial, Commercial, Educational, Historical, Inspirational... these are but a few of the creative colors in Andy's playground. A profound actor and rising filmmaker, Andy Fernuik brings a cornucopia of charm to the screen.
30-time Emmy Award-winning director/producer Phil Tuckett sought out Andy to portray the starring character in his new film Tomb of Joseph, now premiering at select theatres. “I wanted to cast an actor who had the ability to embody the nuanced complications of the man and the challenges he faced. In Andy Fernuik I found just such an actor. His wonderful portrayal surpassed my expectations and brought this complex character to life on the screen…” Phil Tuckett.
Andy's leading persona and supporting character are indelible. Look for him as Thaniel in Rob Reiner's Being Charlie and in Michael Winnick's Code of Honor starring Steven Seagal. [click here for Andy's IMDb]
Andy's previous filmography gives him many a dream role come true: Kevin Sorbo's boon wizard companion in Mythica: The Darkspore; conniving cash-crazed 1930's big time producer Jack Potts in Lovestruck! The Musical; outspoken Zack Hall in Hello, I Love You ; festival award recognition as Quinton, The Dark Rider avenging his kid brother's murder in true Sergio Leone style! Ethan, billionaire playboy turned philanthropist before his untimely murder in In Extremity; the ferryman angel disguised as hospice nurse Marcus in Celeste; mister dirty-hands Senator Norman in the comic fan-film The Question: What Can One Man Do? (with special invitational screenings at Denver and Salt Lake Comic Cons); lead rider cantering a steed off into a pristine sunset on Antelope Island in full Hellenistic battle garb in Hellespont; select appearances in Disney's Cloud Nine, directed by DGA award winning director Paul Hoen; and a great deal more, too! 2014, The Screen Actors Guild and The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists honored Andy by official membership. Andy is also honored by official membership with Actors’ Equity Association.
Film gives me freedom to be my true self and celebrate my every passion and profession, from pro alpine skiing to fencing, from linguistics to singing/songwriting... all of it. Film illuminates me with adventure, exploration and discovery... but most of all, like never before, I feel home."
In addition to his consummate on-screen roles, Andy enjoys a staggering curriculum of production roles on sets with director Greg Nicotero, director Andrew Douglas, actress Katie Holmes, actor Aaron O'Connell, director Daniel Petrie, Jr., The Aquabats!, LeBron James, medalists from the U.S.A. and Korean National Olympic Teams, and many others. As Producer, First Assistant Director, Casting Assistant, BG Coordinator, Editor, Second Team, Craft Services and Catering Assistant, Original Music Composer/Recording Artist, Andy is a powerhouse component for any production and a formidable weapon for any questing creative team.
A visual vanguardist, Andy has been selected for national and international campaigns with brands such as Corbis Images (a Bill Gates company), OtterBox, Franklin Covey, Chobani, Samsung Korea, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., Huntsman Cancer Institute, CompHealth, David Stoker Photography, Saint Cloud, LBiSAT, Intel and Exxon Mobil to name a few.
"Delighting talented photographers and videographers is one of my guiltiest pleasures. I love watching their faces as they review their captures."
"Utah leads the nation in suicides among men aged 15 to 24. 'We have too much to lose if we don't work together and speak out about this silent epidemic,' said Utah first lady Mary Kaye Huntsman" ("Deadly taboo: Youth suicide an epidemic that many in Utah prefer to ignore." Deseret News. April 24, 2006).
In two decades, I have known hundreds of these personal stories of suicide and attempted suicide in Utah and throughout the world. Too often these tragedies are born from colliding faith and sexual or gender identities. Good families and nations divide over conflicts regarding human sexuality and gender. The real price paid? It is the lonely, dejected and hopeless youth who succumb to the horror of ending their beautiful lives.
Our world starves for communication and understanding. Dear Mr. Stephens: Letters of Love and of Hope is one path into a garden of wholeness, balance, and truth... thirteen letters to a beloved friend, lost in the pain and fear of personal paradox.
_____
Could scripture give hope to LGBTQ youth? Andy Fernuik, filmmaker and artist, says that it does. In fact, he shares human diversity through his music and core principles espoused in canonical doctrine. "There is no excuse for youth suicide. The first writer in The Book of Mormon exposes us for allowing our own people to perish."
Many know Utah for its world class skiing or its unique historical settlement. Most do not know that Utah leads the nation in young male suicides. "To me, those aren't just statistics: they are real faces twisted in lonely hopelessness who have shaken me awake at night. I've known hundreds and I've ached learning their stories. They coincide in a head-on collision of religious faith with sexual and gender identities. At last, we are beginning to brave these open, overdue discussions as religious communities!"
Dear Mr. Stephens: Letters of Love and of Hope is an intimate collection of letters Fernuik published for a best friend tormented by his religious conviction and his attraction to some men. Through his letters, Fernuik recalls the darkness of his own suicide attempts but shares his peace: his vulnerable, generous drafts frame a cogent alternative to suicide without relinquishing personal faith.
Fernuik focuses on an issue he says encompasses human gender and sexuality throughout canonized texts. "We must share in our questions together. Questions can compass the most marvelous experiences; our discoveries emancipate us."
Andy Fernuik was raised in the Bible Belt community of Pampa, TX. He graduated from LDS Seminary, served two years as a full-time volunteer missionary in Italy, is an alumnus of Brigham Young University and of The University of Utah. His background in film/TV, vocal performance, linguistics and professional skiing has taken him around the world.
Dear Mr. Stephens: Letters of Love and of Hope is available in paperback (200 pp.) and ebook formats (also in select foreign markets). For more information, please contact Andy through the contact page at www.andyfernuik.com.
A short film by author and filmmaker Andy Fernuik, glimpsing common gender/sexual phenomena throughout our world. (click video to play)
As early as he can remember, Andy sketched likenesses of horses, hands, and faces: these were his favorites. His keen awareness of detail, emotion and line, as well as his adroit command of form, mark the very core of Andy's creativity.
"A fantastic perspective saturates my life and enriches my human experience far beyond measure or communication."
[click here to learn more about commissioning your own work of art]
Believe it or not, Andy's greatest prowess is not in any role heretofore illumined. Andy is deftest as mentor, connecting with all ages in the vulnerability midst their dreams and obstacles. Over 20 years advancing public and private education has gifted him an uncommon creativity in clearing team and individual pathways.
Andy's private studio focuses on developing artists in multiple disciplines; his students have achieved SAG-AFTRA membership, landed top agency representation, and booked starring roles. His coaching has been sought after by a number of high-profile clients. As Public Speaker and Presenter for international organizations, his addresses and workshops have encompassed Academia, Fine Arts, Human Performance, Motivation, Theology, and so on...
Andy describes himself as "an expert, lifelong student of our world."
Contact Andy to discuss your goals today. [click here]
