Andrés Castillo began studying the guitar at the age of eleven. His first formal music studies began at the Centro de Orientacion Musical Francisco Cristancho in Bogotá, , Colombia.  There, he studied solfege and jazz theory with Mario Baracaldo. Andres continued his studies at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana.  He took classical guitar lessons with Carlos Posada and jazz theory with the saxophonist Antonio Arnedo.  Andres Castillo's studies include form and analysis, choral ensemble, J.S. Bach Choral works analysis, sight singing, and ear training. Andres completed his Bachelor of Arts in Music, emphasis in Jazz Guitar Performance at the College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University in Chicago.  There he had the opportunity to study classical guitar and jazz guitar with masters Paul Henry and John Mclean, respectively.  Andres won scholarships at the Chicago College of Performing Arts, DePaul University and the University of Illinois at Chicago.  He is currently completing his Masters of Arts in Music with an emphasis in Classical Guitar at Northeastern University in Chicago - studying under Brian Torosian.

As a song writer, Andres' work has been recorded by various influencial artists.  His most current recorded piece, "Me Esta Tallando", was recently released by Andres Cepeda, a Colombian artist. Prior to this, "Alma", also written by Castillo, was recorded for the album, El Carpintero by Cepeda. Andres' song, "Dame Luz" was also recently recorded as part of the C.D.  Un Respiro por el Mundo, of Las Guitarras de Espana, in Chicago (featured on National Public Radio).  Andres cowrote the song "Amor mi Vida" with the Bandoleros of Chicago, which was recently released.

Furthermore, he worked with the band Madre Monte of Colombia, as vocalist and composer.  He has also performed with various pop artists in Colombia, including, Franco de Vita.

Currently, Andrés is based in Bogota, Colombia and performs his own style of music which combines influences of folk, Latin, jazz and classical as the bandleader of SonTrinidad.  These elements are always present in his compositions.  His versatility gave him the opportunity to be part of the Taku Akiyama's Quintet (jazz ensemble), and allows him to play with various artists from a wide range of backrounds.

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