Alexander "Andy" William Zerban

Alexander (Andy) William Zerban passed away peacefully surrounded by family on October 3, 2025. He is survived by his daughter, Angela Zerban Wiliford (Matthew), son, Jason Zerban (Heather), grandchildren Grant Michael Wiliford and Isabella Rose Wiliford, and sister in-law Linda Clements (Shull). Andy was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years Nancy Jo (Shull), his mother Elizabeth Garrison Lane and father Alexander Hamilton Zerban. Andy was born in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania on July 13, 1933. He graduated from State College (PA) High School in 1952 and enrolled in the Pennsylvania State University to study choral music education graduating in 1956. While at Penn State, he was an active member of Tau Kappa Epsilon, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and ROTC. Following graduation, he served as a communications officer in the U.S. army stationed in Korea. He then earned a Master’s Degree in church music from the Hartt School of Music in 1959. Following graduate school, he began his teaching career at Glenville State Teacher’s College in West Virginia. He was then given the opportunity to move to Michigan to teach choir and coach football for Walled Lake Public Schools in 1962. While teaching there, he met and married Nancy on February 11, 1966. They had two children, Angela (1969) and Jason (1970) while living on Commerce Lake in Oakland County. In 1976, the family moved to Olivet, MI for Andy to serve as Director of Choral Activities at Olivet College. In 1978, they moved to Traverse City for Andy to continue his career as Director of Choral Activities at the Interlochen Center for the Arts, teaching for both the National Music Camp and Interlochen Arts Academy. Although Andy did not continue in the daily choral music classroom after 1980, he continued to help musicians achieve their goals in a successful career as a fund raising professional, specializing in public school music programs. He took a break from fundraising to work as Special Projects Coordinator for Malecki Music, Inc. (JW Pepper) before returning to fundraising, which he would continue to do until his retirement in 2021 at the age of 88. Regardless of professional position, Andy was always a teacher. He touched countless lives as a music educator, prompting one former student to say he was “the most influential teacher of my life.” He served the Michigan School Vocal (Music) Association as president from 1976-77 and was named Teacher of the Year in 1976. He continued to teach music serving as an MSVMA adjudicator eventually earning the title MSVMA Emeritus. He served many churches as choir director including Milford Episcopal Church, Olivet Congregational Church, First Congregational Church of Traverse City, and the United Church of Wayland. In addition to his love of music, he also had a deep passion for sports, especially Penn State University and University of Michigan football, the Detroit Lions and Tigers baseball. He was a great supporter of the athletic and musical endeavors of his children and grandchildren, always encouraging, practicing, and reinforcing the instructor’s teaching points. To family and friends alike, Andy was always welcoming and inclusive. He seemed larger than life and often a father figure to everyone. He lived life deeply and passionately. Andy was passionate about creating opportunities for young musicians to pursue their study of music and, to that end, sat on the board of the Traverse City Music Boosters. To further Andy’s mission, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Traverse City Music Boosters supporting students in all music disciplines to acquire private lessons to enhance their musical studies. This link can be used to facilitate your contribution https://givebutter.com/ygIA62 A celebration of life is being planned for the spring of 2026. Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Andy’s family at his tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

Alexander "Andy" William Zerban

July 13, 1933 - October 3, 2025