Southeast Missouri native performs in China

Southeast Missouri native Andrew Alberson traveled to China recently to perform in the Summer Love Music Festival in Chengdu. He accompanied New York City performance artist Renee Cole as a dancer for the showcase. The appearance included a six song production with live singing by Cole, where Alberson and three others danced routines based on the stylings of highly renowned choreographer Laurieann Gibson.

Andrew grew up in rural Scott County on his family's farm and is the son of Buddy and Lucy Alberson of Vanduser. After graduating from Scott County Central, he co-owned and managed Antonio's Salon in downtown Sikeston for several years, as well as working as a licensed realtor for Century 21 Premiere Realty.

In 2009, Alberson moved to New York City to pursue his passion for the performing arts. His training was guided by New York University as well as an extensive program at H.B. Studio, an intimate school for performance based training, located in New York City's exclusive West Village. Since arriving in New York, Andrew has worked as a model during the spring and fall Fashion Week for Saint James clothing of Paris, as well as working behind the scenes numerous times for the New York based label Diane Von Furstenberg. His acting credits currently include working in several feature films alongside celebrities such as Drew Barrymore in "Going The Distance" and Sharon Stone, Christopher Walken, Edie Falco & Alicia Silverstone in "Gods Behaving Badly", which is set to release later this year. Alberson's most recent screen work was starring in the independent film "Signs" which will be screened in New York's Union Square in June 2012. Recent television credits include a recurring role on the CW Network's "Gossip Girl", appearances on CBS' "Blue Bloods", and working both in front of and behind the camera as a production assistant for the NBC hit, Law & Order: SVU.

When questioned about his recent trip to China, Alberson stated "The Chinese were very hospitable and friendly during our visit. I found that any language barriers encountered, were easily overcome by having patience and a smile." It is estimated that a crowd of over 2,000 people attended the live performance.