Born in Germany and raised in Romania, Andrei learned to swim when he was three-years-old. He progressed quickly through the age groups ranks and went on to become a Romanian national champion in the 100 meter backstroke. At age 13, Andrei also started playing water polo, where he thrived even further. In polo, he was a two-time national champion, a member of the National Junior Team, and played for the Seniors teams - Rapid Bucuresti and Sportul Studestesc. Andrei began teaching swimming and water polo when he was 18, soon after he finished high school. He earned a Masters degree in Physical and Sports Education and Pedagogy, and was a certified coach of both water polo and swimming in Romania. In 2017, he came in America, where he soon found Imagine, and its diverse, international crew of accomplished aquatic enthusiasts!