André leads the commercial and production operations of The Ann Roberts School of Dance alongside his wife, Jane Pirani. Together they have two adult children; Emmanuel and Isabelle, both of whom have developed their own careers in performing arts.

Prior to moving to Australia, André trained as an engineer in his native country, France. He worked in the field for several years In France and Africa in the Sudan. During his student days Andre spent all of his spare time designing, making and operating puppets. This grand passion took over and transferred itself into the theatre where he began a new career as a lighting designer in his late twenties. It was during this time that he worked in the same company as his future wife, Jane Pirani.

In 1982 André  became an Australian resident and added another skill to his portfolio - theatre design and construction which he continues to do to the present. His first commissions included lighting design for the North Queensland Ballet (now Dance North), set design for The Music Man at the Civic Theatre and set and lighting design for the Ann Roberts School of Dancing. André has designed over seventy works for performing arts organisations including the Choral Society in Townsville and Cairns, North Queensland Opera and Music Theatre, Dance North, Extensions, Seaview Steak, Trellis of Lizards, New Moon Theatre Company, Expressions in Brisbane, REM in Sydney, Tropic Line, Hard Sun, Theatre INQ and the James Cook University theatre department.

In addition to set and lighting design, André designs costumes, mascots and puppets. These have included the Recycling Alien Baggit for the Townsville NBL Crocs, Captain Catastrophe, Jabberwocky, Fred the Frilled Neck Lizard for the NQ Games, Penguin for the Warrina Ice Skating Rink, Aslan the Lion from the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and the animal heads from Alice in Downunderland are but the tip of the iceberg of Andre’s creations.

Since 2005, André and his wife Jane have owned and managed the Ann Roberts School of Dancing. André manages the administration of the school and all production aspects. Andre’s experience in the theatre is vast and comprehensive so he is an ideal leader to nurture and promote the arts industry in Townsville.  André believes that a diverse performing arts culture strengthens the cultural identity and practice of young Australians.